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of clothing under the sun, finally settling on a short denim skirt and a tank top with a pair of strappy beige sandals. Since the weather had been unseasonably warm this December, Gemma figured she could rock the outfit without the fear of chilly night air.
    She was still nervous about seeing Drew for the first time. That’s why she suggested they go to a party Taylor was having—at least there would be other people she knew there. And if he was as sweet as his texts, she’d be happy to show him off. It was kind of strange that she was spending all this time perfecting her look for a guy she basically knew nothing about, aside from the fact that he had a penchant for flowers and could text up a storm.
    â€œI don’t look like a hoochie mamma, do I?” Gemma asked, concerned. She wanted to make the perfect impression and that impression was not slutty.
    â€œCan you bend over without showing your cheeks?” Maria asked, tilting her head critically.
    Quickly, Gemma jumped out of the skirt and put on a pair of low riders.
    â€œI didn’t say to change,” Maria pointed out.
    â€œYeah, but if you had to ask, then it’s too short. How does this look?”
    Maria nodded. “Sexy but classy.”
    â€œHow’s the hair?” Gemma asked as she nervously patted down any strands that may have gotten loose.
    Maria circled around Gemma, nodding. “Girl, it’s all good in the hood.”
    The doorbell rang, startling them both. Gemma’s heart thumped double-time. She gripped Maria’s wrists.
    â€œAre you sure this is okay?” Gemma demanded.
    â€œChica, I would never lie to you.”
    A moment later Gemma’s mother called from downstairs, informing her that Drew was waiting in the living room with Gemma’s dad. Both girls’ eyes popped at the same thought: Gemma’s dad could not be left alone with a date for more than fifteen seconds. That was how long it took him to decide to tell a bad, bad joke or to attack the poor boy with a baseball bat. Not that he had ever actually hit one of Gemma’s dates. But he had seriously considered it.
    Maria pushed Gemma out the door. “Go, go, go, before Drew go, go, goes .”
    When Gemma reached the bottom step, she saw her dad sitting with Drew in the living room. Her dad’s face was a frozen mask of disapproval. Not good. Gemma’s heart sank when she saw the red baseball hat turned backward on the guy sitting across from her dad.
    When she entered the room her dad stood up. “Hey, sweetheart. I was just making conversation with this young fellow here.”
    Slowly, Drew stood up. Gemma’s jaw dropped, and as she took in deep breaths to calm her frazzling nerves, she got a complete look at his getup. In addition to the backward baseball cap, he had on a pair of baggy jeans big enough for two of her dads to fit in. They hung low around his hips, and Gemma could swear the top of his boxers was peeking out. There were flashy diamond studs in both ears and he sported a pair of dark sunglasses that made him look like a fly—or maybe Fitty’s long-lost cousin, 40 Cent.
    â€œHey, sweetheart,” Drew said, mimicking her dad.
    Gemma almost fell over. His voice sounded like a cheap imitation of Barry White. Gemma glanced back to Maria, sitting on the top step. Maria shrugged and mouthed, Relax. Have fun . But the expression on her face read more like, WTF?
    Drew took Gemma’s arm and led her to the door. Mr. Williams shot Gemma a what’s with this guy? look. All she could do was shrug. Baffled expressions were being exchanged throughout the room.
    â€œBe home early,” her dad yelled to them as they headed out the door.
    â€œNot a problem,” Gemma mumbled under her breath.

    â€œSo, you wanna hit the floor?” Drew asked. They had only been at Taylor’s party about fifteen minutes and already Gemma was regretting inviting Drew. Well, she regretted inviting