Double Date Read Online Free Page A

think he’s a just a big jerk. I’ll bet that even if he and Mom do get married, it won’t last more than a year, two at best. The good news is that I should be long gone by the time it unravels.” She sighed. “But I still don’t like the idea of my mom getting her heart broken . . . again.”
    â€œIt makes me want to be über-careful about the man I marry,” Cassidy said somberly. “Not that I’m planning anything. Not until I’m at least thirty anyway.” She made a nervous laugh.
    Now they all took turns making jokes about guys and marriage, but as Cassidy’s car pulled up to Devon’s house, Devon felt a dark cloud of sadness settle over her. It was the same black cloud she’d been experiencing ever since her mom had gotten involved with Rodney a few weeks ago. Just the same, she made a stiff smile as she told her friends good-bye. As she got out of the car, giving what she hoped looked like a lighthearted wave, she wished that she had someplace else to go home to. Some other life . . . something different than this.

3
    E mma felt a stab of guilt as she watched Devon going into her house. “I know she’s not happy,” she said glumly. “But I don’t know what to do about it.”
    â€œJust keep being her friend,” Cassidy said as she drove away.
    â€œDevon isn’t the easiest person to be a friend to sometimes.” Emma had known Devon for as long as she could remember, and sometimes it felt like they were destined for a never-ending love-hate relationship.
    â€œI know what you mean. But I’ve kind of incorporated a Scripture into my life recently. Maybe I’ll call it my Devon verse.”
    â€œWhat is it? ‘Love your enemies’?”
    Cassidy laughed. “Devon isn’t my enemy.”
    â€œI know.” Emma felt more guilt. “She’s not mine either, but sometimes she makes me kinda crazy—hey, where are you going?” she asked as she realized Cassidy had turned on the wrong street.
    â€œTaking you home?”
    â€œNo, remember I said I’m supposed to go to my grandma’s today.”
    â€œOh yeah.” Cassidy nodded. “I forgot.”
    â€œMom’s worried that she’s depressed . . . missing my grandpa, ya know. I’m supposed to cheer her up.”
    Cassidy did a U-turn on the quiet street. “That’s nice you can do that, Em.”
    â€œSo, tell me—what’s your magic verse?”
    â€œWell, it’s not magic. It’s in Second Corinthians. I think it’s in chapter twelve. But don’t expect me to quote it to you.”
    â€œWhatever. Just give me the gist, okay?”
    â€œIt’s about how God’s grace is big enough to help us through anything. When we’re at our weakest place—like how hard it is to be a good friend to Devon sometimes—God can step in and become our strength. We just need to realize we’re weak and ask him to help us. Anyway, it’s something like that. I read it in a devotional book last week and it kinda stuck, ya know?”
    â€œThat’s pretty cool. Can you text the reference to me so I can look it up too?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œMaybe it’s working for you, Cass. Because it seemed like you and Devon were getting along pretty good today. Better than usual, anyway.” Emma frowned. “Of course, it also seemed like you were ganging up against poor Felicia.”
    â€œYou still think that? After what you saw and heard about her? You think we’re ganging up on her just because we want to maintain the integrity of the DG?”
    â€œYeah, well, when you put it like that, I guess not. But I still feel sorry for her.”
    â€œI feel sorry for her too. It looks like she’s making some really stupid choices.” Cassidy pulled into Emma’s grandma’s driveway then turned to peer at Emma. “Think about it,