Come Next Summer: Chapter Twelve-They Finally Get It

Devon finishes straightening Jon's manuscript to get herself time to gather her courage. Then she walks up the stairs and knocks on Jon's door. He tells her to go away, but she doesn't. She tells him that she's ready for him to teach her about sex. He tells her to leave again. She remembers out loud that he'd said she really needed to convince him if she wanted it. She walks over, presses herself against him, pulls his head down and tells her to kiss him. He doesn't, and he tells her that her time is running out. Will you look at all this restraint he's showing? This must be to make up for a few chapters back.

Anyway, Devon keeps pleading, Jon tells her to leave while she still can. Finally, she just takes her clothes off, folding them neatly, and sits on his bed. While she's undressing, Jon stops himself from running over to her. Finally she asks if he wants her. Hell yes he does. Devon asks what's stopping him, then. He asks if she's sure and she nods. Good. He's learned. He waits a moment longer and then he starts taking his clothes off too. They do, indeed, bang. Jon is patient and gentle with her and it's the best thing ever.

Afterward, Devon says that if she'd known how great sex was, she would have done it earlier. Jon replies, “Does that mean you'd have slept with Matt that night? Because if it does I ought to spank you.” So, wait. Do you think she should have slept with him if she had experience or not? I still don't understand these characters and it's the last chapter. Devon murmurs that she doesn't want Matt and slips into sleep.

The next day, Jon looks worried. Devon reminds him that they can just do this for four weeks and then they'll go their separate ways. Jon tells her that he's got to go out running and have a think. Devon is convinced that last night was great, but that he's remembering Margo now. I'm so glad she talked to him about this. No, wait. That other thing. Also, Devon berates herself for wanting these memories because it won't make parting from him any easier. Also, also, she's convinced that although last night was everything for her, it was a nightmare for Jon. Le sigh.

Devon is in the living room when Jon comes back from his run. He doesn't go upstairs to shower, so she can't escape. Because running away and not talking to him solved everything before. Finally, she drags herself into the kitchen. When he sees her, Jon tells her, “You gave me a very precious gift last night, Devon. You deserve to know just how precious it is to me.” He's so sweet now that he's New Jon. Jon tells Devon that their sex isn't like just anyone's sex. It's usually not that awesome. Now he's considering telling Bob that he won't take that job. Devon is worried about his career and how Margo will take this rejection, but of course she doesn't talk about Margo. We have to squeeze a few more pages out of this plot and cause me to tear out my hair in frustration.

So, when Jon offers for Devon to come with him and go to a graduate school in Washington, she assumes that would be as his mistress and she's not sure she can do that. Of course, she doesn't say any of this. She just says no. I really want to slap some sense into her. Ugh. Devon keeps harping on the four week thing, and Jon asks if she can really be okay with never seeing him again after that. She's not okay with that. Not at all, but he's asking for all or nothing. He asks if she hears what he's saying, but she doesn't. Granted, it's not a very direct proposal, but still. Devon has so many times in this conversation where she could bring up Margo and she doesn't. Anyway, they finally stop their pointless conversation because they've both got class. Jon showers and Devon walks.

Of course, she doesn't pay attention to anything in class. She does learn from Doc that she can change grad schools, but that it will be difficult. After her classes, Devon finds herself at that restaurant that makes everything. It's snowing in April (Yup, definitely the Midwest) and she's got some hot cider. She's remembering the first time she met Jon. Loving Jon was worth all the pain, yada yada. Finally, Jon shows up and sit across the table from her. Jon suggests that he stay with the university for one more year so Devon can finish her studies. (What kind of Master's program takes one year?) She's incredulous that he would leave his politicking for a year. He says he can't give it up completely, but, essentially, that he's willing to wait for her. She still isn't getting it, but there's only a few pages left, so she'll have to soon.

After seeing how important she is to him, Devon says she'll go with him to Washington. Jon is happy, but says it'll have to be on his terms. Devon braces herself for a discussion, finally, about Margo. Nope. He's talking about how it takes three days to get married in this state. Devon is in shock for a bit, then she finally asks about Margo. Goodness! Was that really so hard?! Anyway, Jon tells Devon that Margo has thought they'd be getting married for about five years and that no matter how many times he tells her no, she doesn't get it. No, her parents don't care who Jon marries, neither do Jon's. Devon finally asks a sensible question about why he didn't tell her he wanted marriage. He replies that she kept saying four weeks like she couldn't deal with him any longer than that. Also because she's been saying how marriage is for the crazy. Well then. She agrees to marry him, surprising no one. They'd better get out of that restaurant before they scandalize everyone in it. Just outside, Devon realizes that she forgot to pay for her cider again. Jon makes a quip about how she'll need a Secret Service agent to make deal with these things. Then the snow closes them off from the world, which I can only assume means, at the very least, that they make out. I just hope they get inside before they start peeling off clothes. It's cold outside!

Whew! This book was ridiculous. I know what I'm getting myself into when I read these novels, but I must have forgotten how aggravating they can be. I'm not even going to joke about a sequel because I'm so done with all of these characters. Except Doc and Julie. They were pretty cool. Maybe they can team up and solve crimes or something. Academic crimes. I hope you enjoyed reading this. I had a blast making it, even if Devon is thicker than a two by four.

Come Next Summer: Chapter Eleven-Can I Reach in And Slap These People?

No, but really. This entire chapter only happens because of the misunderstanding between Jon and Devon. And it's incredibly aggravating.

So, classes start up again and Devon is glad to have something to occupy her. Jon isn't at the apartment most of the time, including most nights, and Devon sourly assumes he's with Margo. Devon's a little annoyed with herself for asking questions, because otherwise she'd have happy memories of being together with Jon and the pain later. Instead she's got the pain now and no happy memories. Apparently she's on her way to her Modern Problems class, because suddenly Doc is yelling down the hallway after her.

He wants to know if she's gotten into grad school and she says she did. They talk about getting her a teaching assistanceship. Doc can tell there's something wrong, but Devon won't talk about it, so he doesn't push her. Devon mentions how she doesn't want to take on student loans, and how her tuition has been free for undergrad because her mom worked at the university. Doc is bewildered because that's not how it works. He calls up his buddy in the financial part of the university and finds out that Devon's dad has been paying for her, and by extension David's, college. Oh, also Devon and David get a bit of money each month. They were told it was insurance, but that was probably C.J. too. Wow. He turned out to be a great guy, once Devon found out the truth. Now if only that would apply to someone else in this book...

Anyway, when Devon runs out of Doc's office, she meets Matt in the hallway. She doesn't want to go with him to get her paper, but she figures that if someone else is there, she won't get into an argument with Jon, so they go. Jon's door is locked, so they walk to class, which gives Devon time to agree to a date with Matt. She thinks that since an attempted rape happened with both Matt and Jon that she's frigid. Even if she were, that's something she needs to think about and get comfortable with, and not go somewhere with a guy who tried to rape her. I mean really. Speaking of, they see Jon coming up the stairs and follow him to his office to get their papers. Jon also sees Matt putting his hand on Devon's arm possessively and gets mad. Don't worry, Jon, I'm mad at her for that too. In his office, Jon hands Matt his paper and asks if Devon wants to talk about hers but she just wants her paper then, saying that she'll talk about it later. Jon knows she won't. So, she and Matt walk down the hallway, flipping through, and Devon learns that she got an A.

She charges back into Jon's office to yell at him. Her first accusation is that Jon thought the grade would make her grateful enough to sleep with Jon. Wow. She's not pulling her punches. He lets her yell it all out without any responses. Unfortunately, she says nothing about what's actually bothering her, just how he put comments all over her paper. When she's done, Jon explains how he didn't agree with her conclusions, but he really liked how she looked at every angle and whatnot. He was going to offer her a job working for him, but now, not so much. I wonder if that's why Seth was grilling her, as kind of a secret interview. Devon hopes that he has a great time working with Bob Dickinson. This is the only hint she gives about what's bothering her, and it's a terrible one. Seriously, I was hoping their argument would actually be helpful to them, but it's not.

Oh, also the task force Jon's running for Bob Dickinson is about drug abuse, especially alcohol. Devon angrily tells him she wouldn't want a job helping with that because she'll be getting her master's. Then she storms out and cuts class. Their professor for Modern Problems hates it when class is interrupted and Devon knows she won't concentrate anyway. Devon has second thoughts about going to the movie with Matt, but decides she needs to, if only so she won't be brooding about Jon at home. Then someone in a super new car offers to give her a ride. Who the-

Oh, hey Julie. You're the only reasonable character in this book, besides Doc. You're going to talk some sense into Devon, right? Yeah, it's fascinating that C.J. gave you the car since David's car was basically dead. And I'm glad you think that reopening the relationship between C.J. and David is letting David heal. Julie innocently invites Devon and Jon to dinner, and when she hears they're both busy this weekend, says she'll go for the next one instead. Oh, you won't come in? Nope. Julie leaves the scene without helping to solve Devon's conflict. Harumph.

So, the movie with Matt is fine. It makes Devon weepy, with all the misunderstandings and such. She and Matt walk for a bit. They chat about graduation and whether or not Devon will still be here in the summer. She won't be. Then Matt talks about how Devon's changed. It's almost like she's grown up. Or something. They're getting closer to her apartment, which has no lights on, Matt asks if he can can come in for some coffee and maybe a goodnight kiss. He verifies that that's all he wants. He takes her rejection well. He says that he's learned and that she's safe alone with him. Yeah, I'm sure. Anyway, Devon notices Jon's car is there and she freaks out because that means he's home. Matt recognizes the apartment where Jon lives and asks if Jon is a lousy neighbor. Devon kind of agrees. Finally, Matt admits that he messed up on their last date, and that he knows she's afraid to be alone with him. Gee. I wonder why. He says he would like to try again, but doesn't push it when Devon says nothing. She grants him a goodnight kiss, which does nothing for her after kissing Jon, and he leaves.

Devon goes inside and sees that Jon hasn't eaten her “I'm sorry” cake. Maybe if it were carrot shaped and said that with icing on it... Anyway, she thinks about how, even though she's jealous of Margo, Jon can't possibly be jealous of Matt. Aha! Another ingredient for a romance novel: at least one character, probably the girl, has low self-esteem. Oh, hey Jon. Didn't see you standing there on the stairs in the dark. He makes a motion to come closer and Devon flinches, so he stays put. Jon asks if Devon is seeing Matt again. She replies, “Is there any reason I shouldn't? You've managed to convince me that what he did that night was my fault.” Oh snap! Look at that backbone she's grown. Thank you, Devon. Still not entirely happy with you, but you're getting there.

Devon, uneasy by the door, moves to lean against Jon's desk. She asks if they can go back to how they were before. Jon says they can't. Devon tries not to cry and busies herself straightening some papers on Jon's desk. He snaps at her not to touch them and, of course, they go scattering across the floor. That's the manuscript for Jon' book, but he doesn't want her to look at it anymore. They both pick up pages, but when Jon straightens up suddenly, Devon flinches away from him. It breaks Jon's heart to have her be afraid of him, but his reason flies away when she refuses him. This is where I get worried. ...so he's going to have to leave so he doesn't hurt her. And that's where I stop being worried, and feel badly for them both. Yes they're stupid, but I'm reading their story. Devon debates about whether or not she should go for the short term happiness, or just leave it at the pain. If he were dying, she knows what she would do. So, it seems like Devon decides she wants to have sex with him, but isn't sure she's confident enough to tell him this.

Wow. There's only one chapter left, so it's almost easy to guess what happens...In no particular order: Jon and Devon finally have their discussion about Jon marrying Margo where Jon learns what's gotten Devon so out of shape these past few days, they bang, and make plans for the future. I hope Devon doesn't stop getting her education just because of a guy, but long-distance relationships are hard, so maybe she will. Hm. Oh, also, the rivals of C.J's and Jon's league of assassins show up to kill Jon and Devon and he's got to teach her about her birthright in a hurry.

Come Next Summer: Chapter Ten-Because Why Tell People Things?

Devon is so very bored. Most people left for spring break, and even that restaurant that sells every kind of food is closed. So very bored. Seth called earlier looking for Jon. When he found out his son wasn't there, he quizzed Devon on her views of various things for about half an hour. That didn't last long enough to stop her boredom, though. Devon tried knitting a sweater, and learned that she was terrible at knitting. After her cat unraveled it, she was able to throw the whole thing away. Also, as part of the boredom, Devon realizes that she misses Jon. So much. She finally (finally!) realizes that she's in love with him. But he “clearly” doesn't want her long-term and she doesn't believe there's only one man for each woman anyway. She tells herself there's other men, but knows how heartbroken she'll be to live somewhere that's not with him. Devon decides she can't think about that, and focuses on making herself a chocolate cake instead.

While that's baking, she goes out to get the mail and chats with the landlady a bit. They have to live in the Midwest. They're talking about the weather and Devon says, “If you don't like it, wait a minute and it will change.” Anyway, Devon offers her landlady and her husband a bit of her chocolate cake. Yay, cake! This woman doesn't even approve of married couples spending a night apart. Certainly old school. Anyway, as she's flipping through the mail, Devon finds an envelope for her from the dean of that graduate school she applied to. Everything else forgotten, she makes her excuses to the landlady and heads inside, dropping Jon's mail on his desk. Devon cautiously opens the envelope with a knife, rinses the knife, puts it away, and slowly starts taking the paper out of the envelope...

Then someone rings the doorbell. Oh, hello Margo. Come to be a manipulative jerk, have you? Margo says flatly that she's going to marry Jon. I wonder if Jon knows about this. It's a political arrangement, because Margo's dad is a Senator, or some other bigwig, and Jon needs the support for some reason. Margo doesn't believe in love and does believe that Jon will have all kinds of mistresses. She'll probably have....misters? Not sure what the term is for the men a woman has affairs with. Anyway, Margo does a thorough job of telling Devon that she's just like every other girl Jon has had a fling with and that there's nothing different or special about her. Margo must not be aware they're in a romance novel and Devon is the main character. Oh, and Margo tells Devon this so she won't get hurt and she'll just let him go when he breaks it off and not try to get revenge. Rude.

Margo leaves and Devon debates about whether Margo was telling the truth or not. As we've seen, “telling the truth” is very subjective in this book. But Devon doesn't think she's worth Jon's attention, so she decides that Margo is and that she needs to kill this thing she and Jon have going. She pulls her overdone cake out of the oven and decides to look at the letter from the grad school. Her life is just about her now, so she needs to know what she's doing with it... Oh hey! She got in! Her free tuition is only for undergrad, so she's got a money problem, but she's determined to fix it and go to grad school. Somehow.

That evening, Devon falls asleep on the couch but wakes up when she hears some suspicious noises. Yup, that's the back door and someone's walking across the kitchen floor. Please don't put more traumatic things in here. I've just begun to accept what happened earlier. Oh good, it's Jon. Devon is super happy to see him and he's happy to see her and suddenly they're in the middle of the room trying to get as close to each other as they physically can. They both say how much they've missed the other and it's not long before they're on the floor of the living room, both of their sweaters off and Jon's undoing the buttons on her blouse. Devon is quite happy with this. Jon says something about how Devon has found a great new way to celebrate. She asks what they're celebrating and he lists a few things, including his new job...

Wait. What? He's working for Bob Dickinson? That's Margo's dad, by the way. Margo must have been telling the truth and Devon doesn't want to have sex with him if he's just going to abandon her. So, Devon tells him to get off of her. He is confused, and admits that he didn't plan this but he's enjoying it. He asks what happened because she was enjoying herself before. Instead of explaining, Devon just says that she changed her mind and that if Jon doesn't stop, it's rape. Oh hey, she does know that word. Jon does stop. (Thank you Leigh Michaels, or Leach Michaels' editor for deciding two attempted rapes were enough for one story.) He also tells her that when she does change her mind and want to have sex again, she'd better be damn convincing. He goes up to his room to unpack and Devon chides herself for thinking she was different and that Jon really loved her.

Because telling him why she wanted him to stop would have made too much sense. I don't think he's on board with marrying Margo. If anyone, I think he'd marry Devon if she'd have him, but she doesn't ask because that would make the book end much more quickly. Instead she just assumes and makes them both unhappy. At least if they talked it out, Jon would know why she was mad.

My guess for the next chapter (the penultimate chapter)...the teacher Jon was covering for will return and Devon will miss Jon more than ever while trying to keep herself separate from him, somehow it will come out that Margo either lied to her or that Jon changed his mind about marrying Margo, Julie might have to push Devon to actually talk to Jon about this, and Jon will reveal that he is one of the assassins sent to kill C.J. and his kids but now that he's met Devon, he can't go through with it.

Come Next Summer: Chapter Nine-The Wedding

Devon and Jon are driving to the airport to pick up her father. Devon is still pissed that Jon made all of this happen, and he's trying to focus on driving on the icy streets. Also, Devon calls Jon on telling the truth, but in such a way that it seemed like a lie. Earlier, Julie asked if C.J. was coming and Jon said he hadn't talked to him in two weeks. That was true, but it made it seem like C.J. wasn't going to be there, when Jon knew he would be. I don't know why Devon is surprised at this. Jon has been telling partial truths the entire novel. I don't think he's lied once, but he's only told the part of the truth that suits him. He is a politician, after all.

Anyway, Devon and Jon get to the airport and wait for a bit. Also, apparently spring break starts in a few days, and Jon will be in Chicago the whole time. He tells Devon several times that he'll be trying not to miss her, and she doesn't believe him. But...he's telling the truth. Then C.J.'s flight is called, and they walk up to the gate to meet him. Devon only notices she took Jon's hand when he squeezes hers. She tries to pull away, but he grabs her hand harder so she can't. Then the many passengers from the plane start walking toward them. Devon asks Jon how C.J. is suppose to recognize them and Jon replies that C.J. said he would. Then, there he is, walking right toward them.

It's obvious that C.J. has not been living on Skid Row (he's even got on a nice suit) and that he's sober. C.J. is a little sad that David isn't there, but he knows he's not wanted. Still he says the flight was worth it to see Devon, since he hasn't seen her since he abandoned her. He's sober and he's sorry. Good. Not much more happens here, except that Devon feels sad and alone when Jon lets go of her hand. They drive him to the hotel and slide on home from there. Then Devon tries to have it out with Jon for telling her all these lies, except she was always the one who assumed the worst about her father and Jon just didn't correct her. He knew she wouldn't believe that her father wasn't a bum. Also, C.J. had written a letter to his kids years ago. David had ripped it up and sent it back, but C.J. had been sober when he wrote it and now it seems like David shouldn't have burned that bridge. Oh, also, that hotel in LA where C.J. lives? He owns it. Oh man. I got so close to calling it.

Jon tries to talk to Devon a few times, but she just ignores him. Finally, when he's driving her to the church, he tries again. Devon's still not having any of it, although she does respond to him, and she and Jon part with nothing resolved. Then Devon sees David walking up to the church. She says that she needs to talk to him and Julie, but Julie says they need to get dressed right away if they want to be ready in time. David promises they can talk later. So much for warning them.

So, the wedding goes by in a blur because that's not the important part of the drama. Although we do get a little look at Devon's mind/heart. She's admitting to herself that she's got a crush on Jon, but she's thinking about how it's dumb to have a crush on him and how he must hate it when college girls fall in love with him. Well, here's another part of the recipe for a romance novel: at least one of the characters has to be blindingly stupid. He directly tells her that he wants her and will miss her when he's gone, but he says it in such a way and she assumes in such a way, that she thinks he's kidding. Because, realistically, if she realized that he liked her and that she liked him, this book would be a lot shorter.

Anyway, it's not until C.J. is trying to slip unobtrusively out the back and Aunt Eleanor recognizes him that the drama happens. Devon explains to David that Julie didn't know that C.J. would be there and that they weren't supposed to know he was there at all. David says something angry, and C.J. replies with an apology for being there and well-wishes for them before he turns to go. Devon stops him, and they make plans to have dinner that night. Hooray for reconciliation. Then David walks up to his father as well and says that he can stay for the reception. Aw. Good.

A few hours later, still at the reception (how long is this reception? They'll have time for dinner after this? Wow), Jon walks up to Devon and says that he's been invited to their dinner, if she doesn't mind. Devon realizes that's delighting news, but stops herself from saying that. Also, apparently Aunt Eleanor told Jon all about Devon's childhood. Devon knows that Aunt Eleanor thinks it's romantic that he's interested in her. How can Devon say stuff like that and still not get it? I mean really. Anyway, after Jon wanders away, Devon slips away to the changing room to get some privacy.

It's crazy how happy she is that Jon will join her and her dad for dinner that night. I think part of that might be because then she won't have to face her father alone, but there is some significance to inviting someone to dinner with your parent(s). Of course, Devon just sees this as a reason that she needs to sort out her feelings over the ten days that Jon is gone. Well, yeah. You should have done that several chapters ago, but I guess now is as good a time as any. There's a knock on the door. They're about to throw the bouquet. Devon replies that she'll be there in a minute, and makes a promise to herself that by the time Jon gets back she'll have gotten over her schoolgirl crush on him. Yeah, okay.

For the next chapter I think....Devon will catch the bouquet and smile at Jon before she realizes what that means, she'll be all confused and confounded about how to explain Jon to her dad at dinner that night, hopefully this relationship will go somewhere because of the dinner conversation, and Devon's father will reveal that part of the reason he left is because the assassin group that he used to belong to had tracked him down and he had to run to save his family, but now that she is old enough, Devon must both know about this danger and protect herself from it. I guess David would need to know too.

Come Next Summer: Chapter Eight-Goldilocks-ing It

Devon's reading some technical thing. It must be morning because Jon's out running and she's worried about him since the streets are icy and whatnot. Then she chastises herself for worrying. She's also glad that he hasn't seen Margo in several days. She asks herself who cares, but part of her tells her that she cares and that she wants Jon all to herself. The truth of that scares her. However, since their affair could only possibly last until graduation, it's not the kind of thing that Devon wants, although she doesn't put it to herself so plainly. Then Julie knocks at the back door, and Devon lets her in. Julie stopped by mostly to warm up on her walk from the lab but also to chat. Julie reminds Devon that she's scared Devon's dad will show up drunk to the wedding. Devon had forgotten. She's all flustered and twitterpated. That is, to use the technical term.

Julie asks if Jon has learned anything about Devon's dad. She doesn't think so, and then Devon talks about how Jon doesn't take his own father too seriously. Then she and Julie reminisce on the good old dorm days when life was simpler and the food was terrible, but nostalgia makes it seem better. Oh hey, there's Jon. When he walks in, Devon hands him a cup of warm coffee. He comments on how she's well-trained. Funny, I was thinking the same thing. He has indeed talked with Devon's dad, who is planning on coming to the wedding. Devon is annoyed Jon didn't tell her, but he replies that she didn't ask.

Devon's dad is planning to show up just for the wedding, sit in the back of the church, and leave before the reception. Devon doesn't trust him to keep his promise and she's pissed that Jon would offer this to her dad. By the way, Devon's dad's name is apparently C.J. Jon also lets it drop that C.J. is living in Los Angeles and he may or may not have a job. Well then.

We cut ahead to Devon staring at way too many index cards in her bedroom. She wants to turn them into a paper that will be good enough to convince Jon to make changes about alcohol in the national government. No pressure. Also, there's a loud envelope stuffing party downstairs for the mayoral candidate we saw earlier. Jon comes in, asking about popcorn. However, when Devon rubs her neck absently, he walks over and starts giving her a massage. He tells Devon she should join them and she replies with all the stuff she needs to do. Midterms are coming up. She asks Jon if he can send everyone home. He kisses her earlobe and says, “I love it when you want to be alone with me.” She protests that that's not what she meant, then she sees that he was messing with her. Hah! What an ass. Also, there's a bit of talk about how Devon thinks Prohibition worked because suicides and such fell to much lower numbers and, while people were still drinking, they had to be more careful about it. Jon argues back with the old “correlation does not imply causation” argument of statisticians. Devon has no real response for this, but she's got a phone call anyway.

It's one of Devon's students from last semester! She got into university. She doesn't name it, which reminds me that we have no real idea where this story takes place. Los Angeles is halfway across the country, and it snows here, so I guess it's somewhere in the Midwest. How descriptive. Anyway, this student only applied to college because Devon motivated her to, and she's super excited about taking classes. Also, she's embarrassed that she called that man Mr. Quinn (Devon's last name). Of course Devon's husband wouldn't have taken her name. How odd that Devon didn't mention him last semester. Devon agrees and the conversation ends soon afterward.

Devon heads downstairs to see that all of the guests are gone. Jon is instructing the cat on how to be quiet, which includes giving up potato chips and chasing her ball. While he's talking, Cyan jumps to the floor, knocks over the metal wastebasket, gets out a cigarette pack still with the crinkly shrink wrap, and chases it across the floor a bit. You know, typical cat behavior. The important thing is that Jon promises to be silent. For three days, he pretty much is. He's barely home and makes almost no noise when he is. This is also driving Devon crazy.

She knocks on his door to talk with him about this. Of course when he opens it, he has a quip about how she's not another of his lady friends to keep him company...unless she's changed her mind. Devon ignores it and basically tells him that he's being too quiet. Very good, Devon. She's learning. Devon explains that she would appreciate a medium between all of the noise and none of the noise. She wants to Goldilocks it. Then, he works it in kind of well, Jon invites Devon to go to a basketball game with him. He hates to go alone, you see and she could use a break. Devon threatens to break him, and Jon replies that then it would be silent all the time. Then he asks her how she ever lived alone before. Devon had been wondering about that as well. He's become an integral part of her life! ...or something.

They chatter a bit more (Jon made it a class assignment to be registered to vote. Not just because of Devon), and eventually Devon agrees to go to the game with him. Before they leave, she says that if she flunks the tests because of him, she'll sue him. Jon asks if that means he can pick his reward if she doesn't. Hah! Oh you.

The next day, Devon drags herself home from the graduate admission tests and flops into a chair in the living room. Jon talks her into going out for Chinese. She asks for a hand, and he asks if she means with changing her clothes. I love his quips. They only work because he doesn't push them, though. They're serious, but he is fine delivering them as jokes to be ignored. Anyway, he helps her out of the chair, brushes her hair off her forehead, unbuttons her coat, puts his hands on the small of her back, and pulls her to him. Woah now. Devon responds by raising her head, parting her lips, and letting “her hands trail sensuously over his shoulders and up to clasp at the back of his neck.” He brushes her lips with hers and asks if she's changed her mind as his hands slide up under her sweater. She says no, horrified at herself, and pulls away from him. Jon is pissed at her, and she replies with, “I'm sorry. I don't understand what's happening to me.” He stops, but Devon can tell he's struggling. She heads up the stairs, annoyed with the way she reacted, making it so obvious that she wanted him, but she did when he touched her, but she doesn't want to want him, but she does, but.... Life is complicated sometimes.

Jon comes upstairs and knocks on her door. For a moment, Devon is scared. In a much calmer voice, he tells her not to panic and that he's just asking if she's still going with him, or if she's staying home after all. She doesn't respond and he continues with, “It's all right, Devon. I'm quite aware that you scared yourself to death downstairs. I won't push you.” Holy crap. Now he's actually a decent human being. I like this Jon much better than the one three chapters ago. Devon decides that she will go. She just needs two minutes to change. Jon grants her five. She sarcastically remarks on his generosity, and he replies that their reservation isn't for another hour anyway. Hah! Wow.

The neighborhood the restaurant is in looks pretty sketch. Jon found it in the phone book, so he knew nothing about it. They both hope that, despite its look, the food is decent. Jon promises that next time they'll go to an Italian place. There's a restaurant in Georgetown he wants to take her to. As I learned in the next paragraph, that's around Washington D.C. So, he's saying that he wants her to come with him when he gets into the Senate. Hey, this guy, in this book; he's going to make it. She deflects this not-quite-a-question by not looking at him and saying how she might happen to be there touring the capital. Jon immediately turns the pressure down, by saying how she might be chaperoning a class trip. The conversation meanders to the post-poll-closing party that's happening that night. Devon bets that Jon doesn't win. His eyes light up and he asks if he can name the stakes. Devon firmly tells him it's five dollars. Party pooper.

...and now it's time to talk about Devon's dad some more. His current plan is to show up on Friday and leave Sunday after the wedding. They talk about entertaining him, or letting him take care of himself, and where he'd stay. He doesn't want to stay at Aunt Eleanor's and Devon will not have him in her apartment, which he anticipated. C.J. will stay in a hotel, which apparently would be more like home to him anyway since he lives in one in LA. Devon asks if it's in Skid Row, Jon admits only that he didn't get a street address and that it's not a middle class neighborhood. Well, then, I'm guessing that C.J. is the manager of a very ritzy hotel and has stopped drinking. Anyway, Devon finally gets some say in this whole thing: it's up to her if she wants David to know that C.J. will be there. Devon wants to know why she can't tell her dad now not to come, but he'll be out of touch for a few days. Devon guesses it'll be on a bender and that Jon is way too nice. His reply is about how he's always rescuing damsels in distress. He picks up her hand and snuggles it with his cheek. He wants to know when he's getting his reward. With all of these hoops, it had better be something good. Hah. Maybe after you woo her, Jon.

Speaking of that, Devon needs to do some soul searching, because it seems like she's not entirely in consensus with herself. Since this is a romance novel, I know she's going to realize that she's in love with Jon and carry that out with reckless abandon, but probably not for another few chapters. I still think the wedding would be the perfect time to realize she's in love.

Come Next Summer: Chapter Seven-Meet the Parent

We start this chapter in the thick of Jon's open house. It's super loud there because people have just been continuing the arguments they had in class. It's also quite a crowded room. Folks seem to be sitting on the furniture and floor, and probably leaning against the walls. Matt is there. I really hope he doesn't know Devon lives there. Anyway, there's a redheaded girl next to Devon who Devon sees making eyes at Jon. The girl decides to try to go after him a little and sits at his feet, looking up adoringly. When Jon is done relighting his pipe, he sees the redhead and smiles. Devon realizes she's jealous. Then Jon looks up at her and winks with a wicked sparkle in his eye. You've got nothing to worry about, Devon. She cautions herself not to fall in love with him, but then she laughs at herself. She's fallen in love many times before and knows exactly what it feels like. This isn't it. Of course, she's usually only “in love” for about three dates. She then dwells on Jon's faults and virtues. Jon looks up to see her watching him again and he looks more serious now, with a bit of a question in his eyes. Yeah, okay. You're totally not in love, Devon. Not even a little bit.

Devon looks away, but manages to catch Matt's eye, who's been watching the whole exchange. Whatever. That's his problem. Devon gets up to get some snacks. There's a boy next to her loading up his plate with food and he gets all doe-eyed and wobbly kneed at her. Devon doesn't really need another boy with a crush on her at the moment. He's a grad student, even though he looks much younger. They don't get to chat much longer, because Matt reaches possessively around Devon for some chips and glares at the kid. He basically yips and runs away. Seriously, Matt? You're already an abusive person. Do you have to fit more of the criteria? Anyway, Matt's mad that Devon was checking out Jon. Devon points out that Matt thought Jon was the bee's knees awhile ago. Well, yeah, he's great politically, but he reads poetry! ...does that matter? I mean, it does to Matt, but I don't care about his opinion. Devon's embarrassed because those are her books on the bookshelves. Matt asks why girls are going gaga over Jon and Devon replies that it might be because Jon knows girls have minds as well as bodies. Then she walks away. Oh snap! Also, Jon was watching the whole exchange.

Then, the mayoral candidate walks in with Jon's dad. Oh shit! Devon knows that Mr. Seth Hardesty has no reason to take note of her, but she's still nervous. Also, he happens to sit next to her. Jon thinks this is all quite amusing. Devon vows revenge. In another part of the room, folks who had been arguing about the upcoming campaign gather around the mayoral candidate and talk with him. Of course, Devon finds herself talking with Seth. He's also alarmed that she might work for a newspaper, and she assures him that she doesn't. Devon says something about how the only issues folks are taking a stand on are the ones the party has discussed, not the human issues. Seth is about to ask her something, but a student interrupts with a question about the last presidential election and Devon makes her escape to the snack table. Devon decides not to draw attention to herself and to leave with the first group of folks.

Of course, Seth finds her at the snack table and asks what she means by the human issues. Here's her list: education because students are not being well taught on a national scale, women's rights especially the Equal Rights Amendment, and trying to lessen alcoholism, which would be difficult and probably unwise politically to do all the way. Seth is impressed at her thought on these issues and her reasoning and such. He asks if she's considered running for office. From behind her, Jon replies that Devon doesn't even vote. Then he says that Devon should follow that for her midterm project and, if she puts a good plan in action, he might take it to the Senate. At some point in here, Seth wanders away. Jon is confident of getting to the Senate, and Devon says he'll need to put all this in writing. He offers to seal it with a kiss. Devon says not to joke about that and apologizes for getting in an argument with Jon's dad. He replies that his dad needs that every so often, and that he wasn't joking about the kiss. Devon tells Jon her plan to leave with the first wave of students, but if she does, he threatens to embarrass her so much she'll never live it down. Apparently, he wants her to meet his father.

The party winds down and only Devon and Seth are left in the room. Seth offers her a ride home, and she declines, saying that she loves to walk everywhere. Seth continues to try to recruit her for his political party, which is never named, by the way. Devon objects and Seth agrees that she might be a bit young and need some work in tact and diplomacy, but she should still totes consider politics. Jon walks in and agrees that she has all kinds of promise. Anyway, Seth offers her a ride home again and Jon interrupts Devon's vague denials to say that she lives there. Bam! Seth is in shock. Then he laughs and is totally fine with this. Devon earnestly tells him that she and Jon aren't lovers, and he says that if that's true, his son is dumber than he thought. Jon and Seth agree to meet at Seth's hotel for breakfast the next morning. Seth isn't gone long before Jon asks Devon if she's coming to bed. Of course, she demands to know what he means, and he says that's up to her. When she throws an ashtray at him, which misses, he asks if that means she has a headache before he runs away.

I get it. It's a Stockholm syndrome/Beauty and the Beast kind of thing. Sure he's grumpy and inclined to gloss over rape, but he's got a heart of gold...ish. Also, in at least one version of the Beauty and the Beast tale, every night after dinner Beast asks Beauty to marry him. That's kind of like being propositioned constantly. Ish.

Come Next Summer: Chapter Six-Life Goes On

When the chapter begins, Devon and Jon are putting away groceries and chatting a bit. Jason is Mrs. Hardesty's butler, by the way. Also, Devon is not complimentary about Jon's book, but she tells him it's decent. Then, when he reaches over her to put something away, Jon's sleeve brushes the top of Devon's head and her “whole body tighten[s]”. Jon notices, runs his hand down her hair, and asks if she's still running. She says nothing, he sighs, and moves to the other side of the kitchen to put stuff away. Would you look at that? There is a male character in this book who can accept a “no”. I was beginning to wonder.

Devon thinks about how she's been remembering their “wrestling match” almost incessantly and how it makes her uneasy. At the time, she had wanted to know what it was like to have sex, but now it's very uncomfortable to think that had happened the night after Matt tried to rape her. I'm glad she's having these thoughts now. Better late than never, I suppose. Jon speaks again, telling Devon that she can't hide from herself forever, but when she still doesn't respond, he changes the subject to his first open house that night. He hints that she should make a cake for his gathering, and she agrees to that if he'll make dinner. Jon mentions that the mayor might be there and Devon says that she doesn't care about politics, how all politicians never deliver on their promises, and that she doesn't vote anyway. Apparently she's moved around too much to register. They're saved from having a real discussion about this because the phone rings.

Oh hey, Julie. Remember that deadbeat dad who left Devon and David when Devon was eight? He had a gambling and a drinking problem, and after he left, Mom worked two jobs to try to pay off his debts until she died. Well, Aunt Eleanor offered to invite him to David's wedding and Julie, thinking the aunt couldn't actually do it, told her yes. Now he's coming to the wedding and David is super pissed. Devon and Julie make a lunch date to talk out possible solutions and Jon, curious, gets the story out of Devon. He offers to find out more about Devon's dad, using political favors folks owe him, if Devon will agree to wait to talk to her dad until after Jon's done some digging. Also, Jon says that he'll talk to David about it because David is more likely to listen to Jon than his sister. Ouch. Deciding to accept Jon's help, Devon writes down her dad's name and everything helpful she knows. That's certainly nice of Jon. He seems to have changed significantly in the few days since the events of last chapter.

Devon heads back to her adviser's office to show him her completed application to grad school. He offers to put it in the mail for her and she agrees. They start talking about Jon's book. Devon tells her adviser, Doc, that it's pretty good and Doc replies that Jon said she'd told him it put her to sleep. They talk about “tact”, calling Jon by his first name, and watching out for him. Oh! The reformed womanizer who finds that now there's a girl he can't get out of his mind, to the exclusion of all others! And that desire to be with her, and only her, makes him change! This must be a romance novel.

Devon heads to her Modern Problems class, and isn't quite late. Devon notices that the female half of the class moved into the first few rows of seats. Then Matt sits next to her and says, “Hi, Dev. Have you gotten over being mad yet?” Mad? After that comment, I'm furious. Go away and never talk to a woman again until you can get your shit under control. Devon replies that she's not mad, and that she shouldn't have gone to his apartment. Well, he shouldn't have tried to rape her. Matt asks if she wants to go to a jazz concert with him and she says she's busy that night. Yeah, of course she just looked at the fine arts calender. That must be why she knows that. Not because she never wants to hang out with him ever again.

Matt says he can take a hint, but he'd still like to see her even if she did “lead [him] on and then back out.” I'm glad Devon finally defends herself here: “Lead you on? What in heaven's name do you mean? All I did was come to your apartment to watch television.” For real, though. Matt says it was clear to him, and Devon begins to call him names (Finally! I would have done that days ago!) when Jon asks them to stop talking so he can start the class. Devon figures that Jon's been watching them since Matt came into class and she's a little annoyed. What could Matt do in class besides drag her out of it? In this chapter in particular, I'm just struck by how naïve Devon is.

Anyway, then Jon shifts into teacher mode and sets everyone in the class against each other, vehemently defending the problems on their lists as the most important. This goes for the whole hour. Jon then tells them to research their issues so they can argue them more effectively for the next class, and to start thinking which one they want to do for their midterm project. Matt offers to buy Devon coffee; he wants to talk. I'm so glad Devon says no. Jon voluntells Devon to collect the lists and, oh hey, since she's got them, she should take them to Jon's office. Matt leaves and Devon says that she'll see him later, which makes Jon think she's got another date with Matt. This isn't true, but Devon lets him think it for some reason. She instead contests that Jon doesn't own her. He says he doesn't want to, that he'll be happy when she's no longer in his class. The whole time, he kept “having all kinds of thoughts that are not appropriate for the classroom.” Apparently, Devon has to ask what kinds of thoughts those are. He just says how much he'd like to kiss her, so I guess he's gotten his restraint back from wherever he'd lost it. Oh, also, she would have been his number one problem if he'd made a list.

He leaves before he can hear Devon's witty retort and she considers not going to his office, but she's still got everyone's homework, so she decides to put them on his desk and leave. Of course, she runs into someone in the hall she has to talk to, so by the time she gets to Jon's office, someone else is in there. It's Jon's dad, annoyed that Jon is living with a floozy. He just wants Jon to be discreet for the sake of his political career. Also, we learn that Jon doesn't like the idea of getting married. Well, that's how both of them feel. Wait a minute. This is just like in Moongate Wish: “I never want to get married! Ever!” “Me neither!” “But you're pretty great.” “So are you.” “Let's get married!” “Okay!” Oh, I guess those were spoilers. Oh well. Also, Jon's negative attitude toward marriage might have something to do with the arrangement his dad suggests: get married to someone who will be cool with you having affairs, then have a plethora of affairs. Just don't be a swinging bachelor. It isn't respectable. What was the definition of irony, again?

Anyway, Devon leaves and once Jon gets home, he asks why she didn't go to his office. He explains a bit about his father. When he was twelve, his mom caught his dad with one of the upstairs maids. They didn't get a divorce because money and the things it can buy. They only talk about once a month and seem to have an open relationship. Therefore, Jon believes that the idea of love lasting forever is a fairy tale. Also, his dad didn't have a political career because he was making money so Jon could. Living vicariously through your kids is a huge burden to place on them. Anyway, Jon declares that he's going to take a shower and asks if Devon wants to join him. She declines. After he's left, she thinks about calling him on his bluff, but realizes it probably isn't a bluff. No, Devon, he really is serious. How many times does he have to tell you that before you understand?

Anyway, I think the next chapter will have... Jon finding out something surprising and possibly validating about Devon's dad, Matt will continue to be an asshole (hopefully one who doesn't make it onto the page), and Devon will eat an entire watermelon.

Come Next Summer: Chapter Five-Where It Doesn't Get Much Better

This chapter is much less traumatic, but I'm still not at all happy with Leigh Michaels and how she handles and creates these situations.

By the next day, Devon is super-humanly over her attempted rape. She sees the landlady putting garbage in the bin at the curb and they chat a bit. The landlady thinks that Devon and Jon are married and that Devon is silly for wanting to keep her last name. Devon doesn't correct her, but she's no longer happy. I wouldn't think she'd be happy anyway.

Devon confronts Jon about this while he's chopping up onions for the spaghetti sauce for dinner. He says that their landlords would evict them if they thought Jon and Devon were living together and not married. Society wouldn't stand for such things. Wow things have changed. Anyway, Devon explains how marriage, at least how she sees it, is just the woman endlessly giving and the man endlessly taking. Their conversation is interrupted by the phone. Devon decides to answer and it's Julie. Finally! I was wondering if she'd fallen off the face of the earth! Julie needs a little help in tailoring her wedding dress, she's making it herself, and she's got Devon's dress as well. After asking Jon, Devon invites Julie and David over for dinner as well and Julie says they'll be there in an hour.

Jon makes a comment about how Julie is pretty and Devon asks if he meant it. He says he did, but he wouldn't go after Julie. Now some other ladies who happen to be around.... Jon asks Devon if she'll tell her brother about Matt's attempted rape and she decides not to. Then, in a reply that makes me weep for Leigh Michaels and the women in this time period, Devon continues with, “It was pretty much what you said. I did ask for it. I shouldn't have gone to his apartment.” Maybe I missed something. Since when does going to someone's apartment mean that you want to have sex with them? It's a possibility, depending on the circumstances around your relationship and whatnot, but it's not a firm declaration. Not even close. No one asks for rape. That's the definition of it. I just can't deal with these characters. It's even worse, because I know this part of it happens in real life too.

Devon goes on to say that she was confused about what she wanted, and Jon replies that virgins usually are. Jon also states that, had she not been a virgin, she would have slept with Matt and not worried about it. No. Just because someone has had sex once, doesn't necessarily mean that they'll jump at any chance to have it again. Devon considers sex to be something that two people who are deeply in love share. She and Matt had gone on one previous date before the attempted rape. Obviously, they're not in love and Devon still, probably, would have been uncomfortable with what he was doing.

Devon asks if Jon thinks that she should have slept with Matt and he clarifies. Matt would be a terrible guy for her first time because he's selfish and not good at this. Jon continues with, “...if he'd known what he was doing last night he could have seduced you without a whimper.” Then Jon bemoans the fact that he hadn't had the same chance because he's a gentleman. Yes, Jon, because only a gentleman would refrain from trying to seduce a girl who had just escaped from an attempted rape. Not, oh say, anyone with even a shred of decency.

Devon asks Jon what she should do. He first suggests staying away from boys, because they know just enough to be dangerous, and then begins to set up a metaphor where students come to college to learn things from professors. Devon interrupts him, but it's obvious where this is going. If nothing else, it would definitely be against school policy for them to sleep together since Devon is in one of his classes. Anyway, Devon's interruption was to say she could run an ad in the newspaper. Jon suggests she could just turn to him. Devon is shocked. Jon says something about how even people over 30 remember what love is (Wait. How old is Devon? She's in her senior year, so she's 21 or 22. Hm.) Devon admits that she hasn't taken anything he's said seriously. Jon replies that she is still a child, and then tells her not to take off her shoes when she's around a guy so she can run if she needs to. Devon looks down at her bare feet and Jon clarifies that he doesn't get turned on by feet. That leotard, however... Devon, still not worried, says that she'll keep practicing in the living room and that she'll watch out. Then she brings up Margo and Jon replies that he can't just sit there and wait for Devon to be interested in him.

Devon starts to make a cake (because all spaghetti needs chocolate cake?) and realizes that she doesn't like the thought of Margo. The classic romance novel conundrum: you don't want him yet, but you don't want others to want him. Jon swiftly changes the subject to his book. Devon replies that she only agreed to look at it, but she does ask if she'll have to do research. Nah, Jon's got that covered. She'll just have to make it read pretty. Jon casually mentions running for President. Devon asks if he's planning on it, and he is noncommittal. Yeah, I think I called the ending of this book, but we'll see if I'm right. It's certainly surprised me already.

They continue their chat and Devon admits that she's going to apply to grad school, just to please her adviser, but her grades weren't the best earlier in her college career and she doesn't have the money anyway. Then Jon notices cake batter on her nose and she ends up staring at him intently. Then Devon asks if he meant it when he said she was pretty. Jon says that he did and asks Devon if he wants him to show her. What? There's only one direction my mind is going with this, and I don't think Devon's ready to see that much of Jon. Oh! He's going to kiss her! Well then. Devon lets him and it's a magical experience for both of them. Also, he doesn't grab her when they kiss, so she could get away if she wanted to. When they both admit the kiss was great, Jon repeats that when Devon decides to take care of her “virginity problem”... Devon cuts him off and says she won't. He pokes fun at her, asking if she'll be a virgin forever, then tells her to be cautious about who she chooses and reemphasizes that he hopes it's him. One of the many things I like about feminism is the idea that if you want to be a virgin, go for it. If not, go for it. Just make sure you take care of yourself and consider those around you. I mean, I think the only reason Jon thinks her virginity is a problem is because he wants her, but the phrase still bothers me. Oh, and no, that wasn't the part of this chapter that bothered me the most. That's coming up in a bit.

Jon flounces off to have a cold shower and Devon continues standing in the kitchen. She thinks about how she shouldn't have let him kiss her, but also how it was nice. Then someone knocks on the back door. Oh, hello, Margo. Well, this is awkward. To make it less awkward, Devon basically drags her in and makes her stay, all the while dropping subtle hints like how Jon's in the shower and he makes great breakfast. No, wait, that's that other thing: making it more awkward. Of course, Jon doesn't help, yelling down the stairs about how Devon's cat took his socks again. I have to wonder: does Devon not wear socks? Are they somehow less tasty than Jon's socks? Anyway, Devon continues adding to the awkward in the room by telling Margo how she's a student of Jon's and they're having dinner with some friends that night. When Jon finally gets down the stairs to do damage control it's way too late.

Devon wanders to the living room to read the book she got from the library. She can't hear what Margo's saying, but she sounds pissed. Once Margo leaves Jon finds Devon and is, understandably, annoyed. Devon tells him to go ahead and wring her neck. “His hands closed gently around her throat.” Devon even feels like she can mock him with his hands on her neck, which flabbergasts me. This is seriously not okay. It doesn't get better. He slides his hands to her shoulders and pulls her off the couch. Tangled in a quilt, Devon ends up on the floor with Jon beside her. Hey now, buddy. She did not take you up on your offer. Cool your jets. He does not.

She asks if he's going to tickle her until she says she's sorry and he replies that adult games have adult consequences. Then he pins her to the floor. Devon says she's sorry, and Jon replies with, “Too late.” She turns her face away, so that his kiss lands on her ear. He just sets to work nibbling on her ear. Then he silences her protests with his mouth. Devon tells him to stop again and he says that no, he's having fun and so is she. Thank God that David and Julie knock on the door just then. Seriously, that's two attempted rapes in two days. What. The. Hell. Jon wonders if they ignore the knock if Julie and David will take the hint. Devon fixes her hair and says that nothing really happened, but it's more for her benefit than for his. Jon replies with, “If they'd been five minutes later, my dear, we wouldn't even have heard them knock.” All right. Seriously. Jon needs to find someone else so he can get laid, or make friends with his hand. This is not okay. I thought I was joking before when I said Devon needed locks on her bedroom door. Apparently, I was right.

Julie and David come in and hooray, Julie brought dresses and it's dinner time! Apparently, they were five minutes late. Anyway, after the meal, although she would like to discuss politics with the guys, she wants to see the dress more, so Devon goes up to her room to help Julie with her dress. Julie is deeply annoyed with deciding to sew her own dress and vows never to do it again. Devon asks if that means Julie won't make hers, then quickly clarifies that it was a joke. Since Devon mentions a generic Mister Right, Julie asks about Devon's most recent candidate for that position: Matt. Devon gets an “embarrassed blush” and mumbles that she won't invite him to the wedding. Oh, honey. You shouldn't be embarrassed. He's the one at fault. They change the subject to how Aunt Eleanor knows Jon exists, but not that he's splitting the rent with Devon, and oh hey, a dress! Eventually, Julie and David leave and now it's confrontation time.

Devon tells Jon it would be safer if they didn't repeat what happened earlier. Jon replies that safe is no fun. He says how it was easy when they ignored each other, but now that they aren't and that leotard... Devon cuts in with an offer to practice in her room. Jon tells her it's not just that but her hair, the way she laughs... Dude. Falling for someone is fine, but that doesn't mean you get to rape them. For serious. Oh, we also get the title phrase. Because “come next summer” they'll be in different places, perhaps never to meet again. They're just passing the time, but oh what they could do with that time. Devon states flatly that she doesn't want to have an affair with Jon. As she's going up the stairs to her room he asks if she doesn't want to, or if she's afraid to. The answer means a lot to him. Well, buddy, a no for either reason is still a no.

Ugh. I'm glad we finally saw Julie, but other than that I'm losing hope in this book rapidly.

Come Next Summer: Chapter Four-Where It Becomes Not a Romance Novel

This chapter...this chapter threw me for a loop. I'll just warn you now, that I was not expecting what happened and this summary won't be anywhere near as snarky and amusing as I usually try to make them. Shit gets real. All right.

Devon heads to the liberal arts building half an hour before her class to talk with her adviser. He has an amusing lack of organization (books and papers on literally every flat surface), but an amazing memory for the classes Devon is taking. He tries to talk her into graduate school, she promises only to look at the brochure and not that she'll necessarily do it. They talk about her next class, Modern Problems, and how she hates it. The teacher, Dr. Burton had his appendix removed and, since he's seventy, he'll be out for about six weeks. Still, she'll go make sure that she's not missing anything in class today. On her way out, Devon tells her adviser that she's looking for tutoring jobs and he mentions that one of the staff is writing a book about his time in the political world. Yes, she just might be a ghost writer for Jon. Wow they get thrown together a lot.

Anyway, she heads to class. It's mostly political science people there, including The Viking, which is exciting. He decides to cut class since their professor isn't there. Devon decides to stay and make sure she isn't missing anything and The Viking invites her to hang out at the student union later. She is noncommittal. On his way out, he smiles at a pretty girl who goes doe-eyed and Devon reflects on how she has no ties to him so this is fine. Anyway, guess who's teaching the class now? Of course it's Jon. They don't have any other political science teachers in this university. Jon starts out by telling them that they won't need all of the expensive books they bought-they'll be reading more newspapers than books. He must not realize how ridiculously expensive those books are. Then he gives them a homework assignment of making a list of the ten most serious problems the nation has. That's the end of class!

Devon buys some milk, decides on making spaghetti for dinner, and wanders home. When Devon gets home she finds out that Jon has a political dinner to go to, and that her cat, Cyan, likes chewing on his socks. She says it seems a waste to make spaghetti sauce for one and Jon offers to make the sauce, or spaghetti, tomorrow night instead. Devon leaves Jon and Cyan in Jon's room, the latter is chewing on Jon's socks some more, and decides she's got to practice for her modern dance class. She puts on the uniform, leotard and tights, and tries to not be clumsy all over the place while dancing in the living room. It's only after she falls that she sees Jon standing there watching. Devon belittles her dancing and Jon says it's sexy and that her outfit is really hot. Devon covers up with a blanket from the couch, but he keeps staring. Maybe a lock on his bedroom door. On the outside.

Anyway, Jon's all dapper looking and stuff for his dinner, and Devon tells him that she knows Stella Hardesty is his mother. He leaves and, awhile later The Viking calls. Devon remembers that she was going to hang out with him, so agrees to meet with him at the student union, get a bite, and go over their homework. When she gets to the union and sees him there, Devon has especially squishy feelings for him and thinks how she'll have to introduce him to Julie and David. He kisses her, and Devon forgets that she doesn't like to be kissed in public. The Viking suggests that they go to his apartment and watch a movie. She can eat there and they can work on their homework during the commercials. After a bit of thought, Devon agrees. She doesn't usually go to guys' apartments, but The Viking is so nice. It was here that I had the first bit of dread. I thought that, no, this couldn't possibly turn out badly. It's a romance novel. She'll be safe. I'm sure Devon thought the same thing.

They get to The Viking's apartment and it's a studio. He's the only one there and mentions how it's nice not having to put a tie on the door, or worry about roomies being mad that someone spent the night. Devon sees the chance to tell him that Jon is her roomie, but doesn't take it. They watch the movie for a bit before The Viking declares that it's bad and chances the channel. Devon was enjoying it, but doesn't complain. The Viking kisses her and Devon's cool with it. Then he pushes her down on the couch and climbs on top of her.

All right, internet, we've been having this talk a lot recently, but this is awful, so we'll talk about it some more. When someone says no, they really mean it. Don't assume that they're playing a game, or when they say they don't want to have sex they're not serious. They are serious, or they wouldn't have said it, and you need to respect that and back off. So, when Matt (he does not get a nickname any more) tells Devon that she asked for this by coming to his apartment, can we all agree that she did not? Seriously. I'm assuming that everyone has taken a look at the #YesAllWomen stuff on twitter, facebook, and whatnot, but if you haven't please do. Yes, this is a work of fiction, but this happens in real life. And that's not okay.

Back to the story. In order to get him off of her, since saying “No” in various ways is doing nothing, Devon tells Matt that it's her first time and that she needs to use the bathroom to get ready. He lets her up and she practically runs to the bathroom. Of course there's no lock on the door. She's got no shoes on, her coat is in the closet, and it's January with snow on the ground. Devon stalls for as long as she can, but then Matt comes in there after her. When he comes up behind her and slides his hands over her boobs, she instinctively slams her elbow into his chest. This knocks him off balance enough that she can get out of the bathroom and out of his apartment.

She makes it out of the building and into a nearby tavern. She's eleven blocks from home and she's not sure where her key is. Fortunately, she has enough money for the pay phone and she calls her home number. Doubly fortunately, Jon is there. Devon doesn't explain much, but she tells Jon where she is and that she needs help. He says he'll be there in two minutes and recommends that she call the cops. She doesn't have money for another call. Matt comes into the bar. Devon wedges her foot against the door of the phone booth. Matt walks over with a drink, acting very cool, and says it would be stupid to call the cops because, “you came willingly to my apartment, you led me on, and then when I did what you indicated you wanted, you hit me.” I don't even comprehend how he can justify this. I know this book was written in the 80's, but this same kind of “reasoning” holds today. And that is not even a little bit okay.

Jon shows up, calmly buys a scotch, and seems to notice Devon and Matt. When he walks over, Devon opens the door of the phone booth, giving Jon the opening to say she seemed to have had an accident (since she's shoeless) and to offer her a ride home. Devon accepts and asks if Matt will get her coat and shoes. When Jon seconds the request, Matt sets his drink down and leaves the bar. Devon and Jon walk to the door of the tavern, and he carries her to the car and sets her in the passenger seat. Devon says she wishes Jon had hit Matt. Jon asks why she didn't call her brother and she baldly replies, “David would have killed him.” Jon admits that he still doesn't know what happened, and Devon fills him in. Miraculously, Matt comes back with Devon's shoes and coat and hands them over without a fuss. Devon can't hear what Jon says to Matt, but he doesn't sound angry or threatening. I really hope we find out what he said later.

Once they get home, Devon asks if she should file charges. Jon tells her no, using the same line of reasoning that Matt did. At least when Devon asks if he believes her, his answer is, “Of course.” Then he goes on to say, “Dammit, Devon, don't you have any more sense than that? When I think of what could have happened to you...It makes me want to beat you myself!” Hold on there, skippy. Feeling protective is fine, but come on. This is not a good way to show it, especially after she just got out of a violent situation. Of course this makes her start crying, I don't know who wouldn't cry then, but at least Jon has the decency to comfort her while she cries it out.

When she's stopped crying, Jon says she shouldn't fall asleep on him. She protests that she's not sleepy and states that Jon would never do that to a girl. Jon tells her not to put it past any man and that she's too trusting. When Devon pushes him, Jon admits that the woman in question wouldn't run into the street with no coat and shoes and that Matt's technique was “a little abrupt”. No. Not even a little bit okay. You know why this sort of thing pisses me off? Because his assessment about not putting this past any man is still something women have to think about. I'm not saying that every man will do this, but any man could.  It's not like a rapist will tell a girl what he's planning and let her escape. Rape still happens and people still put it on the women not to be too trusting-even being alone with a guy can be “too trusting”. #YesAllWomen either have been through something like this, or know at least one other woman who has. Women today. This book is 29 years old. We've had almost thirty years to stop this from happening. And we haven't.

Jon's further comments don't make this any better. He tells Devon that if she falls asleep and he has to carry her upstairs, that she might end up in his bed. Of course, Devon leaves. Her response is, “Men! You're all alike!” Mine would have been more akin to leaving immediately and barricading my door. Also, a much more pointed retort that sounded like it meant something. The one Ms. Michaels chose to put here almost makes it sound like Devon's just a little exasperated and it's not a big deal. Then again, maybe that's a filter of our time, and this phrase would have been taken more seriously in the 80's. Devon has just been through a traumatic experience and that's how he responds? You know what, rules of the romance novel be damned. They can not end up together. Yes, he rescued her, congratulations, he's a decent human being. That doesn't make any of the rest of his comments okay.

Hopefully, in the next chapter we can resume the general mood of levity. Of course, Devon still has to see Matt in class. And live with Jon. Maybe it's time to move. And not tell Matt where she lives. Or speak to him ever again.

Come Next Summer: Chapter Three-The Viking Returns!

The next morning, Devon stumbles down the stairs to get some coffee. Fortunately, Jon has already brewed some and it's good. Also, he's off on his morning five mile run. Devon weighs the pros and cons of sharing an apartment with someone. She comes to rest on the monetary arrangement. By the way, she gets free tuition to this university because her mother worked there before she died. Mom died when Devon and David were teenagers, and then Aunt Eleanor had to care for them. The remaining bit of exposition that wasn't explained in the first four pages makes sense now, I suppose. Anyway, Devon's money is getting low and she'd hoped to avoid having a part time job this semester, but it doesn't look like she'll be able to. Good thing she can split the rent on this place.

Then the phone rings. Good gad! Who is it? Should Devon answer or not? Turns out it's Aunt Eleanor, calling to provide some reinforcement on her views about women not gadding about with all sorts of men and/or moving in together before they get married. After the call, Devon reflects on how Aunt Eleanor didn't do a great job of raising them and misses her mom, who would have loved Julie and understood Devon's current situation. Then the phone rings again. Might as well answer it. Except, Devon's greeting is followed by dead silence. Then the person in the other end asks for Jon Hardesty. Devon pretends to be a secretary, and it is kind of okay.

Then Jon comes home from his run. Devon gives him his phone message. He comments on how it kind of sucks that Devon answered it, and she replies that it'd be worse if Jon answered a call from her aunt. Anyway, John calls the person back. When he asks for Mrs Hardesty, I finally get it. That's his mom. He doesn't have kids, either. Jon tells Devon that Jason, the person who answered, is the middle kid who thinks it's disrespectful to call his mother “mom”. Yeah, okay. Jon does some not-damage-control by just telling his mom that it wasn't Margo (his date at the concert) who answered his phone. There's not just one, but two ladies in his life! He really likes messing with people and, honestly, I respect that. Now that I know he's messing with Devon, it's much more entertaining to read.

When Jon gets off the phone, he says Stella is “moderately upset”. This is all very amusing until he says, about Stella, “As long as she takes her medicine, she doesn't hear those weird voices more than three or four times a day.” Oh. Not funny anymore. Devon turns down his offer of breakfast and makes her way upstairs. She wonders why he lost the election, which makes me realize that he took time off to take care of his mother. Not such a rake after all.

After smelling the bacon and pancakes, Devon comes back downstairs, but pours herself more coffee as an excuse. Then she and Jon start talking about ground rules, which he turns to rules about sex almost immediately, rules such as “not in the living room” and “keep it in the bedroom”. He asks her point blank if she's a virgin. I like Devon's reply, “By what possible stretch of the imagination is it any of your business?” Jon replies that he just likes to know what to expect. Okay, buddy. What to expect from a roommate, or from a girl you're interested in? Anyway, then Roger shows up and Devon starts to head back upstairs to her room to change because she doesn't want Roger to see her all disheveled and whatnot. From this, Jon deduces that Devon hasn't slept with Roger and that she is, in fact, a virgin. Devon gives him a retort, and Jon again uses the line about knowing what to expect from a roommate, then he goes on to say, “Of course, there is an age beyond which virginity should not be perpetuated. It gets in everyone's way.” Creep. Remember what I said about a lock on her bedroom door? Maybe make that two.

Devon goes to cool off in a hot shower and gets dressed before returning to the lower level of the apartment. Roger is happily eating pancakes and bacon with Jon. Devon announces that she's going to the library and leaves. As she's walking, The Viking catches sight of her. They chat a bit about how he doesn't have her number. He mentions how her pen won't work in the cold outside, but it might work in the warmth of her apartment. Her pen, or yours, sir? Devon seems to miss the subtext and mentions how she still wants a book. The Viking admits that he could survive the library that long. He'll read the paper. I'll just take this moment to say that I'm very glad The Viking is back. His character is basic enough, but it's always a shame when a character with a great nickname stops showing up. Since he's here again, I think Devon is going to play off her simple attraction to his good looks against her complicated, seething jambalaya of emotions for Jon. Yes, jambalaya. There's some metaphorical shrimp in there somewhere.

So, the two go to the library where Devon gets a book, The Viking reads the newspaper and, more importantly, Devon learns from a book that Jon's mother is Stella Hardesty and that he's never been married. She mutters to herself about Jon was lying to her and catches the attention of both the librarian and The Viking. She quickly tells them it was nothing and they both resume their activities. The Viking sees Devon noticing an article about Jon and asks if she wants to read it. She says no, but we still learn some things about why Jon is great and a great politician. (He actually researches things. It's weird.) Once they're done talking abut Jon, The Viking suggests that they go to the student union next. He's so pretty that Devon thinks she'd follow him anywhere. So, this is a sophisticated romance novel, then. Because she doesn't fall for the guy who's handsome and also pretty. She falls for the deep, complicated guy with a fragile side and baggage.

For the next chapter.... Julie was mentioned once in this chapter and that was to say that she didn't know Devon had a phone number yet. Come on, Devon. I thought you two were besties. I expect to at least see Julie in the next chapter, or I'll assume their “best friend” necklaces and bracelets are all lies.