The Do-Over

by Lynn Painter

For The Lonely, The Daydreamers, The ones who find their friends between the pages of books— YOU MATTER, and your happy ending WILL come. Sometimes the wait is just longer in real life than in fiction.

Fate is for suckers. Love is for planners.

I only date boys who on paper (or an Excel spreadsheet) share at least five common interests with me, have a broad outline of their ten-year plan, and dress like they aren’t prone to random outbursts of basketball.

He sat down, and when I sat beside him, he grabbed my sleeve and pulled me closer. Slid me into him so my back was leaning against his front. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and rested his chin on top of my head.

Awwww. I need someone who would do this to meee.

I felt like he knew me.

“And I’ve thought about it, and I really want my DONC to include kissing you, Em.”

She grounded me from reading. Seriously.

“I remember everything about you, Em.”

I’m a little obsessed with you. With this.” He raised his hands and cupped my face. “With us.”