Princess Next Door(5)

“He looks like your average bad boy?”

“In a way, yes, but he’s really, really nice. I think. You have to be nice right to, erm, to completely break down your party for your neighbor?”

“I don’t know, Wynter. He sounds like a sweet keeper, and someone your parents would completely throw a fit over.”

“Nothing like that is going to happen.” She tucked some of her hair behind her ear. “The pie?”

“I think you should do whatever you feel comfortable doing.” Tammy stared at her. “Have you ever been in a relationship?”

“There was Carey.”

“He doesn’t count. He’s not even in the same league as boyfriend material.”

“He was a boy and my friend,” she said.

“You put up with him to get your parents off your back. Okay, have you ever just been with a guy?”

Wynter glanced around the room hoping no one could overhear them. Tammy wasn’t known for having much of a filter, and she herself loved her for it. After being around her mother, who was a constant advisor for keeping feelings at bay, she found Tammy refreshing.

“It’s just us. No one will talk.”

“I’ve never … been with a guy.”

“You’re a virgin?”

She nodded.

“What? How?”

Wynter frowned. “Because I’ve never had sex with a guy, that’s how. That’s the scientific way of not having sex and staying a virgin.”

Tammy waved her hand in the air. “Not even with Carey?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Ew, no. He was fine, but he was always talking about marriage and kids, and to be really honest I zoned out half the time. I knew what I wanted.”

“Your parents are so weird.”

Wynter leaned forward. “You were married at eighteen, and had a child on the way.”

“I know, but that’s because I was married to my childhood sweetheart, and even after all this time, we’re still together.”

They leaned over the table, whispering.

“I’ve never been interested in just sleeping with random guys.” She shrugged. “Call me weird.”

“You’re very weird.” Tammy ate a potato chip as Wynter ran a hand down her face. “Make him the pie.”

“You think so?”

“Have you heard the rumors about the houses you and your neighbor are in?”

“His name’s Zane. Rumors?”

“You know, about the last few single people that moved in, living together.”

Wynter frowned, trying to think about it, and finally shook her head. “Nope. Can’t say that I have.”

Tammy whistled. “For the past couple of years, every single couple that has lived in those two houses have always ended up together.”

“Yeah, okay. I’m not a child.”

“I’m being serious here. I’m not joking around. The guy who sold you the house, he was leaving right?”

Wynter paused recalling Slade telling her that he was married to the girl next door. “Yeah.”

“Maybe it’s fate and you and Zane are destined to be married?” Tammy held her hands up. “If not, you could probably lose that V-card and find out why I love my husband so much.” Tammy winked at her. “Enjoy your lunch.”

Wynter watched her friend walk away, and she blew out a breath.

Being a virgin wasn’t exactly her plan.

She didn’t want to remain one either.

Sitting back, she pulled her hair out of the tight band and ran her fingers through the length, closing her eyes, and tried to think.

Slade had been a nice guy, but she’d also seen his wedding photo. So much in love.

There was no way the houses brought people together, and as for her and Zane, it was an absolute no.

She needed to go on a date, or do something.

There was no way she’d get hung up on her neighbor.

Dating sites were out of the question, as she’d heard way too much bad stuff about them. How was she ever going to meet a guy of her own choosing?

Going to a bar!

Finishing off her lunch, she made her way back to the classroom where Tammy was setting up. She’d scrubbed all the chalk off the board, and was joining up some letters.

“I’ve got it.”

“What?” Tammy asked.

“How do you feel about going to a bar Friday night?”

Tammy looked at her once again, brow raised. “You know I’m forty, right, and married?”

“That doesn’t mean you’re dead. Get a babysitter and bring Marshall.”

Tammy laughed. “You are my babysitter. My kids have blacklisted all credible babysitters because they’re terrors and they only like you. If you want me to go out, you’ve got to talk to my kids.”

She loved Tammy’s kids. They were a bit of a handful, but she found bribery with food worked every single time.

“Deal.”

“Wait!” Tammy held her hand up. “Where did we go from pie to Friday night? You don’t need Marshall and me to be your wingmen.”

“I can’t go to a bar on my own. Besides, you could totally give me a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down on potential dates.”