Read Online Like This And Like That by Nia Stephens - Free Book Online

like he freaks out. He agrees with everything I say and doesn’t seem to have an opinion of his own. I’m telling you, that’s the Drew you didn’t witness. I did. And I’m the one who looks crazy when I try to tell someone about it.”
    â€œIf that’s really the case, tell me again why you’re giving him another chance?” Maria asked.
    Gemma sighed. With Drew she could talk herself into—or out of—going out with him depending on her mood. The variables were just so confusing.
    â€œWhen I think about it, Drew is the first guy I’ve gone out with that didn’t paw me like some zoo animal. Other than one misguided moment at the party,” Gemma added hastily. “There are these flashes of a cool guy—a guy I could really like. I’d hate to drop him before I get to know that guy better.”
    â€œExactly what I said,” Maria commented. “Drew could be perfect for you, maybe.” Maria glanced up at her from under her thick dark eyelashes. “But the real question is, are you attracted to him?”
    Gemma thought for a second. “Well, he is actually cute ...” As if on autopilot, her hand fluttered to her cheek, to where his lips had touched her skin. “When he’s not in some ghetto getup,” she added quickly.
    Mrs. Sutton walked around the class checking out everyone’s dishes. When she came to theirs, she frowned and kept walking.
    â€œThis will be our third date and I still don’t feel like I really know who he is,” Gemma continued.
    â€œHey, it’s your life,” Maria said. “Apply the baseball rule to this one.”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œI thought you were into sports.” Maria put her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes. “You know—three strikes and you’re out.”
    Â 
    At exactly four o’clock, Drew showed up at Gemma’s front door. He was dressed in a T-shirt and a pair of khaki shorts that revealed well-muscled legs. He obviously didn’t spend all of his time playing chess or studying for the debate team. The guy worked out.
    Dr. Williams came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “Hello, Drew.”
    â€œHave a good time, kids, but not too much fun,” her dad said, slapping Drew on the back. “I know plenty of cops in the Orange County area personally.”
    â€œDaaadd!” Gemma whined. As they walked out the door, she could still hear her father laughing.
    During the car ride, Gemma tried to keep conversation flowing. She didn’t want Drew to freak out again if there was another uncomfortable silence. Only when they hit a wooded area did she realize they had been talking nonstop for the last twenty minutes. And Drew had carried more than his share of the conversation—he was obviously much more relaxed today. Which, Gemma realized, made her relax, too.
    Drew pulled off the main road and onto a dirt one.
    â€œWhere are we?” Gemma asked.
    â€œThe Santa Ana mountains. I thought you’d like this place. I come here all the time.” He stopped the car at the foothills of some large mountains in the distance.
    â€œWe’re going hiking today,” he announced as he got out of the car. Before she could respond, he started up the hill.
    She peered down at her feet, realizing that when he had said comfortable shoes, he really meant sneakers. She thought he’d meant flats so she wore her sandals. Nothing she could do about it now. She took off after him.
    She attempted to catch up but he was moving quickly. It was obvious that nature was his element. When she fell too far behind, he would wait a few minutes for her to catch up and then resume. If nothing else, she was getting a great workout today.
    He stopped again, looked back at Gemma, and crossed his arms over his chest. He grinned and shook his head. “How is it that the star b-ball player is getting tired walking up a tiny