Best Dating Rules by Tamie Dearen (no david read aloud .TXT) 📕

“Honey, I can’t give you any advice on telling lies. They always backfire on me. My recommendation is not to do it.”

“But it’s too late. I’ve already told it.”

“Why would you lie to have coffee with this art teacher? Why didn’t you meet at another time instead of canceling your date with Spencer?”

“It wasn’t going to be a date with Spencer. I planned to buy my own pizza.”

“Still, you made plans with him first.”

“I know, and I feel bad. But not too bad, since Becca told me today they’d had a relationship. He evidently lied to me about her.”

“I don’t think I’d trust everything Becca says if I were you. I’d trust Spencer over Becca any day. And you haven’t told me about this art teacher yet.”

“He’s... He was really impressed with my work. And he said we should have coffee and talk. He gives private lessons. And… Well, he’s really good-looking.”

“Better looking than Spencer?”

“No, just different. Older. More sophisticated. More mature. I don’t know. Maybe I need someone older who wouldn’t do immature things, like lying about a relationship with another girl.”

“Sweetie, I can tell you from experience age doesn’t equal maturity. And it seems odd you’re criticizing him for a possible lie, when you’ve told one yourself. But you’re a smart girl—I trust your judgment. On the other hand, let me give you one little guideline.”

“What is it? I really don’t want a lecture, you know.”

“If you find yourself changing or doing things you wouldn’t normally do to please a guy, take a step back and analyze the situation. Ask yourself this… Is he helping you grow and be a better person, or are you changing in a bad way?”

“I can’t blame Asher for my decision to tell a lie. I did that on my own.”

“I trust you, Sweetie. I’m honored you talked to me instead of Charlie. I assume you haven’t told her about this.”

“No. I don’t think she’d understand.”

“You don’t think she’d understand? Or you don’t think she’d agree?”

“Same difference.” Emily’s voice was pouty. “Mom, he’s got an English accent.”

“Ah! Now I understand. We Best girls have a weakness for men with accents, I think.” Steven’s eyebrows knit dangerously, but she waved him off with a grin. “Be careful, Sweetie. I know you’ll do the right thing. Are you coming up for dinner?”

“Do you promise we won’t talk about this?”

“Hmmm? Talk about what? I don’t even remember what we were discussing.”

Emily chuckled. “Okay, I’ll come.”

“What was that about?” Steven asked as she disconnected.

“I can’t tell you. I promised not to.”

“But I overheard your side of the conversation.”

“Yes, I didn’t promise you weren’t listening, and she didn’t ask.”

“You are getting more devious by the day.”

“I’m learning from you, I think.”

“I gather she cancelled with Spencer to go out with her art teacher who has an accent. And she lied about it to Spencer. And she believes something Becca told her about Spencer. Does that about cover it?”

“I couldn’t really say.”

“I have to admit, I don’t much care for Becca after spending several hours with her. Her chatter was pretty inane. And I agree with what you told Emily about trusting Spencer. I have a lot of respect for him.”

“Well, Emily’s coming up for dinner, and you’ve got to pretend not to know anything.”

“Got it,” Steven agreed. “Now where were we?” He bent over to snatch her hands, pinning them together again, and reaching out to tickle her side as she squealed. “And this is for that remark you made about liking men with accents.”

“Steven! You’re making me scream. The neighbors will hear and think you’re murdering me.”

A wicked grin slid onto his face. “Penthouse, remember? No neighbors up here...”*****

“Hi, Becca.” Spencer finally surrendered and answered Becca’s call while walking toward his parent’s home.

“What’s wrong? Why haven’t you answered my calls? Are you mad at me?”

“No, Becca, I’m busy. I work—I don’t have time to chat during the day. What did you need?”

“I wanted to make sure you weren’t mad at me about the picture thing. You believe me don’t you? About not giving the picture to NYC Word?”

“Sure, I guess I believe you, but I haven’t talked to Candace yet. She won’t return my phone calls. Have you talked to her?”

She hesitated. “Uhmm, no.”

“Okay, Becca. If that’s all, I’ve got a lot to do tonight.”

“Well there’s one other thing. There’s a bunch of us going to the Green Scene Thursday night at eight thirty to listen to jazz. I thought you might want to come. Maybe Candace will be there, and you could ask her about the picture.”

Spencer considered her offer. He really didn’t want to spend any more time with Becca, especially if it might make her think they had a real relationship. On the other hand, he didn’t want to sit at home and think about getting ditched by Emily.

“A bunch of people? Who’s going?”

“I’m not sure. People from the hiking club.”

“Landon usually texts me when the group is doing something.”

“Well... it’s not official, I think... Maybe Landon isn’t going. We could go together if you want.”

“No, I’d rather just meet everyone there.”

“So, you’ll come for sure?”

“I’m not positive. But, I’ll probably come. I’d really like to talk to Candace.”

“Do you want me to meet you outside?”

“No. Look, Becca... This is not a date. Okay? I don’t want you to think I’m sending you any signals. I’m not interested in a relationship.”

“I know. I don’t expect anything from you, but I like spending time together. You know, with the whole group.”

“Right. Okay. See ya later.”

“See you tomorrow night. Eight thirty. Don’t forget.”

Spencer paused on the steps outside his family’s home. He was helping his dad with a tiling project. He actually looked forward to some hard labor to work out his frustrations. When he opened the front door, he was immediately assaulted with the familiar noises of his sisters’ gaiety. Laughter and squeals emanated from the kitchen, along with a cloud of something white. Smoke? Was the kitchen on fire? He ran into