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

Emily was glad to not be spending the evening alone, but Josh was still pretty glum when he arrived. They decided to eat first, as neither one was really in a movie-watching mood, despite their plans.

“Has Charlie said anything about me?” asked Josh hopefully. “Wait. If it’s bad, I’m not sure I want to know.”

“She still doesn’t trust you, Josh. She’s been hurt before. I know how she feels—I feel the same way. It’s no fun. I don’t want to do it again.”

“If it feels anything like this, I totally understand. I never knew a girl could make me feel so miserable. I almost wish I’d never met her. No, that’s not true. As long as there’s a chance, it’s worth it.”

“Let me ask you Josh, why should she trust you?”

“It’s true enough she doesn’t have any reason to trust me. But I’m willing to prove I’ve changed.”

Emily suddenly realized Josh could provide some of the answers she’d been looking for. “Can I ask you some questions? And will you promise not to laugh at me?”

He grinned. “I’ll do my best. But I can’t even imagine what you’re going to ask. Go ahead.”

“So... Uhmm... How long can a guy go without having sex?”

A chuckle escaped before he could stop himself. “I’m sorry. But that’s not what I expected. Are you serious?”

She nodded, knowing her face must be bright red.

“Well, you’re probably asking the wrong guy. I’ve never really had to go without before. But, let’s see. How long ago did I meet your sister? Like four weeks ago? I can say for sure a guy can go four weeks.” He laughed, and then laughed louder at what must be a horrified expression on her face.

What if Spencer couldn’t wait? Maybe he already hadn’t waited?

“Hold on, I’m teasing you. Don’t get upset!” His smile disappeared. “A guy can go a lot longer than that. We just usually don’t want to, but we won’t die from going without. I’m prepared to go without for a long time to prove myself to Charlie.”

But exactly how long was a long time?

Josh interrupted her thoughts. “You’re not very experienced are you?”

“Not very.”

“And Charlie? Is she like you? Innocent, I mean?”

“Josh I don’t think I should talk to you about Charlie.”

He groaned, “She is, isn’t she? No wonder she doesn’t want to have anything to do with a guy like me.” He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. “I’d go back and change my past if I could. Do you think it’s a lost cause? Will I ever be good enough for her?”

“What would you do if I told you no? If I told you tonight there was absolutely zero chance she’d ever come around and be able to trust you, what would you do?”

He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, rubbing his forehead. He sat forward and caught her gaze, all the humor gone from his face. “I’d do exactly what I’m doing now. That man is gone, the one who slept around, going out with women only for sex. I won’t be able to sleep with a girl I’m not in love with—one I’m not willing to commit to. Not now. I know Charlie doesn’t believe it and you probably don’t either, but I love her. I decided I love her and once I make a decision I stick with it.”

“But, Josh. She might never even give you a chance. I’m sorry. I’d love to tell you she’ll finally listen to you some day, if you wait long enough. But she might not.”

“Then some day, I may really be able to answer your question about how long a guy can go without sex,” he said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Josh felt his heart die a little. Charlie was innocent and he didn’t deserve her. How could he even ask her to be with him?

“Josh... Do you think a player really can change? Can he really stick with one girl? Or will he eventually revert to his old ways?”

Emily was watching him intently, chewing on her lip. “You’re not asking about me and Charlie, are you? You’re asking about Spencer. Right?”

She looked down. “Yes,” she whispered.

“He’d be stupid to want to be with anyone besides you, and I don’t think he’s that stupid. And he can wait a lot longer than four weeks. He’ll wait as long as he needs to. Okay? Feel better?”

“Okay,” she agreed. But he could tell she wasn’t really convinced. If Emily wouldn’t trust Spencer, what chance did he have of ever getting Charlie to trust him? Did it matter? Could he ever actually be good enough for Charlie Best?

“By the way, Emily? Does Spencer know I’m here tonight? I’m a little surprised he was okay with it.”

Her eyes widened. “I... I didn’t think. Do you think he’ll mind? Surely he won’t care.”

“Of course not. But, I don’t want him to beat me up because he thinks I’m chasing you again.”

“Ohmygosh! You’re right. I should call him now. I don’t want him to think I’m hiding something.”

He nodded and watched her pull out her phone to call Spencer. She waited and then her face fell when it went to voice mail. “Uhmm. Hi, Spencer. It’s Friday night, and I know you’re helping your dad with some project, but call me if you get a chance. Josh came over to keep me company.” After a pause, she added, “And so he could moan about Charlie, of course. Anyway, call if you get a chance. Bye.”

“How was that?” she asked, screwing her face to one side.

“I guess we’ll find out. If he comes over with a gun, I think I might be grateful. He could just put me out of my misery.”

Spencer cursed under his breath. He’d missed a call from Emily at eight o’clock. It was already after midnight, way too late to call her back. He listened to her message, and cursed a little louder. He didn’t want her hanging out