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Her father thought about that for long enough that Skylar started to pull her phone back out to text Grayson back since she thought he was done speaking. “You know the rules.”
                “Dad. I'm twenty-eight.”
                “Good, then you should know the rules extra well by now.”
                “What rules, honey?” her mother asked as she came in to join them in watching the news, still shaking her hands slightly to dry them.
                “The dating rules. She's going on a date tonight.”
                Her mother caught her eye with a look that was equal parts delighted for her and worried. “How long have you known him? What's he like?”
                “A couple of days, and he's really very sweet, Mom. We spent an evening just talking about books and movies and what he likes about the world or would change about it, and he's really smart and kind hearted. And when he sings it's just beautiful.”
                “He sings?” her father asked with a flat look.
                Her mother gave him a look and then smiled at her daughter. “Why he sounds wonderful. You be sure to have fun but don't stay out too late. You know what impression that gives.”
                “I don't have to worry about that. He's a gentleman and has been getting me home well before anything like that comes up. Even Tara likes him.”
                “Tara likes Andrew, too,” her father commented darkly. “Doesn't stop her texting you about him.”
                “Only sometimes, and I'm sure that won't happen with Grayson. He's different, Dad, I know he is. He even asked if Tara and Andrew could double date with us so that I'm more comfortable with it.” She glanced down at her phone and made a startled sound of surprise. “Oh, but the movie starts at eight and it's almost seven!” So saying, she dashed up to freshen her makeup and change into her cuter pair of jeans and her favorite sweater since movie theaters got cold.
                Skylar caught sight of herself in the mirror and she fluffed her hair and then frowned at herself. Something wasn't right. She gave her reflection an excitedly mischievous smile and changed out her sweater for a short sleeved blouse. If he was a gentleman, she reasoned, he'd bring a coat for her so that she wouldn't be cold. Besides, it was better to show him that she's interested by looking her best rather than wearing something just because it was practical.
                She couldn't help but give voice to an excited squeal after she had found the perfect jewelry to go with her outfit. She danced around the room excitedly and then bid her parents a hasty farewell as she went to get into her car. Perhaps she was acting a little immature but no one had ever made her feel the way that Grayson did and she couldn't wait to make him a larger part of her life.
                Skylar took a few deep breaths as she fussed at how her hair fell over her shoulders. Maybe she was moving too fast, she thought as she stared at herself in the mirror. What if he wasn't all that he seemed, or if she had been mistaken about the moment happening between them? What if he didn't like her friends or appreciate her? What if he never went anywhere as a singer and she had to support them so that they could have a family?
                After a panic driven minute she smiled at herself and shrugged. She wouldn't know unless she kept trying to figure it out. Besides, the worst that could happen would be that she would realize that she wasn't happy and break it off. Guys broke things off with her all the time so it wasn't going to be a big deal.
                The drive to Tara's house seemed to be both the longest of her adult life and the shortest. She attributed the nervousness that she was experiencing to wondering whether she would still feel the