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out and have some fun? You deserve it.”
    We eased up to a traffic light. I applied gentle pressure to the brake. The car came to a stop and I looked at her.
    “You know it’s not that simple.”
    “What do you mean? Because of Simon?”
    I nodded. “I can’t just bring anyone around, and I certainly can’t go out with every man who wants me to. You know that, Jillian.”
    “Well, okay, but when is the last time you actually went on a date, Ava? How long has it been?”
    “Eight months,” I replied, shaking my head in disbelief at the amount of time.
    “Okay, eight months, Ava. That is completely ridiculous.”
    The light turned green, and I put my foot on the accelerator, pressing it down steadily.
    “I’m not disagreeing with you, but the last man I need to break that streak with is Dyson Vix.”
    “Why?” Jillian replied, slapping her palms down on top of her knees. “What’s wrong with him? He seems to have a thing for you. He was very sweet to Simon. I don’t get what the problem is.”
    I exhaled. “The guy is a player , Jillian. We’ve already had this discussion. I don’t think it’s a good idea to put myself in a situation with someone like that.”
    “Oh, come on. What are you trying to say? That you can’t go out and have fun with him for one night? Are you worried you won’t be able to control yourself? Is that it?”
    I snapped my head in her direction for an instant before looking down the road again. I chewed the inside of my mouth. A sudden dryness came to the inside of it.
    “What? No. That’s not what I’m saying, Jillian. He’s just not the kind of guy I want around Simon.” 
    Jillian moaned. “Oh, give me a break, Ava. What—are you gonna marry the guy now?”
    I shook my head at her little insult.
    “I think you’re taking this whole thing way too seriously, Ava.”
    “Well,” I began, gesturing towards the backseat with a nod of my chin. “What choice do I have? He comes first. End of story.”
    Jillian folded her arms across her chest. “Well I’m sure that you’ll be in the front row on his wedding day. Old, single Aunt Ava.”
    I grimaced at her for a moment before I spoke once more.
    “Something kind of funny did happen. When we went for a walk.”
    Jillian looked at me. “What?”
    “Do you remember when I told you he slept with those women after his exam at Dr. Wilcox’s office? The Russian girls?”
    Jillian chuckled and shook her head. “How could I forget?”
    “Well, one of them came up to us while we were talking outside of the garage.”
    “Really? What happened?”
    I spent the next several minutes telling her about the encounter between Dyson and Anastasia. I told her how he more or less brushed her off, demanding that she not bother him while we were talking to each other.
    “Oh my God,” she said. Jillian glanced towards me again. “What happened?”
    “She stomped off.”
    “What did Dyson do? Did he go after her?”
    I shook my head. “No.”
    “Ohhh, see? I told you he’s into you, Ava,” she replied, barely able to contain her excitement. “I don’t get why you’re being so difficult about this whole thing.”
    I had to admit his attempts at being charming were beginning to soften me towards him, but not enough to even think about letting my guard down. I was under no illusion—he was only after one thing from me. And so, while Jillian might have a point that it would be fun, the downside was too great.
    I waved her off. “It doesn’t matter whether he’s into me or not. I can’t just look past that kind of behavior. I’m sorry. I can’t.”
    Jillian shook her head. “Ava… He’s a single guy . He’s a race car driver . Why are you holding all of that against him?”
    “Now you’re beginning to sound just like Dyson,” I began, shaking my head. “I’m not, by the way. He can be a playboy all he wants. It doesn’t affect me in the least.”
    “Well, I don’t know.” Jillian said. “I guess I can kinda see