Jennica didn't recognize Lacy Knighton until Keeley crouched behind her in fear. Even then, she thought it a coincidence until her friend mentioned she'd been trying to avoid the black-haired woman.

No wonder Aaron had used a fake name. That psycho might have targeted Jennica just for being his date!

The food arrived, and Keeley munched on her burger unconcernedly, despite the near-miss with her former enemy.

Lacy was obviously interested in Aaron Hale now. Who had she been so obsessed with in high school? No one normal would go to such lengths to sabotage someone their crush wasn't even dating.

Jennica's assessment of the party had been correct—the ultra-rich were terrifying.

"Keeley, did you go to private school?" Jennica asked. A "Barbie doll" like her couldn't possibly have attended public school.

Keeley nodded, her mouth full of fries. Swallowing, she answered, "My family has a trust fund covering education, but nothing else. It's the only reason I can get my PhD. I'd never take on that much debt."

Ah, that explained it. Keeley must really resent rich people after dealing with them for so long.

"Was everyone there a snob?"

"Pretty much. My only friends were a couple of scholarship kids—you've met them. We went to Coney Island last summer."

"I remember that," Valentina chimed in. "The girl goes to school in California, and your guy friend lives in Maryland, right?"

Keeley twirled her straw in her milkshake. "Yeah. Lydia's getting her master's in social work and marrying her fiancé in the spring. Jeffrey planned to return to New York after graduation, but he got a serious girlfriend in D.C., so he's going to law school there. They'll probably marry eventually, too."

Valentina pulled a face. "All my friends back home are married with babies! My mother's giving me a hard time about focusing on my career."

Jennica patted her arm sympathetically. "I feel you. My mom hates that I'm an actress. She wanted me to be a dental hygienist and marry a dentist. I haven't even been on a date in months."

"I haven't been on a date in over ten years," Keeley said casually.

Both Jennica and Valentina goggled at her. "Are you serious?!"

Jennica's face screwed up. "Your last date was in middle school?!"

"Yeah."

"Girl, why?!"

Keeley shrugged. "I don't believe in love. I got burned badly by my ex."

What kind of horrible person could have so affected a twelve- or thirteen-year-old? Jennica couldn't imagine it.

"Teenage boys are idiots. Men in their twenties are much more mature."

Valentina snorted. "Have you met any college boys? They're not mature at all."

That was fair. Jennica had only attended community college for her associate's degree, and the guys there were idiots.

"Come on, some men in their twenties are mature…" She thought. "What about Ryan? He's nice, smart, and has a good job."

Keeley frowned. "Ryan? No way. We're friends."

"Don't you know friendship is the best way to start a relationship? He's cute, too!"

Jennica suspected Ryan had a crush on Keeley. He was her only regular male friend. Why not give it a try?

Based on their time together, Jennica knew he was funny, responsible, and kind. He seemed like Keeley's type. And if he liked her as much as she suspected, he wouldn't hurt her roommate.

It was official. She was going to try to get them together. Keeley deserved happiness, and Ryan could provide it. They had similar jobs, goals, and senses of humor. It was a perfect match!

"He's a good guy," Keeley conceded. "And I like him, but I'm not capable of liking anyone romantically anymore. Not with that fly buzzing around my head."

Valentina and Jennica looked at her and spoke in unison, "Fly?"

"Ah…did I not mention I see my ex regularly because he won't leave me alone?"

No, she hadn't! That was significant news. Why hadn't she mentioned it earlier?

Keeley was so unassuming. She rarely discussed personal matters. Who knew how much was going on beneath the surface of her seemingly normal life?

"Who is this guy?" Jennica demanded.

"Um…I'd rather not tell. He hasn't been so bad lately, though…"

He hadn't been so bad lately, but bad enough to make her stop believing in love? It sounded like she was still hung up on him. This could be a problem.

"You're not still in love with him, are you?!"

"No!" she protested, deadly serious. "Absolutely not. I stopped loving him years ago. I'm just annoyed he won't leave me alone."

Examining Keeley's expression, Jennica believed her. She genuinely didn't care about him anymore.

"Then tell him to shove it."

Keeley sighed. "I've tried. It only made him more persistent. If I avoid him, he chases me more. It's better to let him text me."

Valentina's brow furrowed. "Wait…is this the guy that girl we saw earlier liked in high school?"

Keeley's mouth formed a surprised 'O'. "How did you guess?"

"Earlier, you mentioned avoiding the boy she liked. I wondered if it was a coincidence."

What a tangled web. Poor Keeley couldn't catch a break. This guy had been bothering her since high school. Jennica hated people who tried to rekindle things with an ex once they saw their former partner happy without them. The promotional material for NovelFire.net has been removed.