Mia Stanbury is the quintessential girl next door. Smart, beautiful, and determined. She’s got it all going on. Is it any wonder that she’s been on my radar for as long as I can remember? We’re talking middle school, folks.

Fine, I’ll admit that I’ve made a few boneheaded mistakes as far as she’s concerned, but what can I say? I’m a dude. Sometimes I think with the wrong head. We’ll just chalk it up to one of the hazards of having a Y chromosome and leave it at that.

But I’m older now.

More mature.

Sort of.

Mia has spent all of high school and college keeping me at a distance. If she didn’t melt in my arms every time I put my hands on her, I’d almost think she was immune to my charms. Turns out that’s not the case.

This is our last year at Wesley before we go our separate ways. Me to the NFL, her to law school. It’s now or never. I’m done playing games and allowing her to push me away.

I was her first and I’ll damn well be her last.