Linda Ginsberg has lived across the street from David Martin Rosen and in his fantasies ever since they were small children. But he never had the courage to approach her, even for casual friendship, certainly not for anything more. Linda is bright and beautiful and popular, so much so that perhaps he believes his mother when she says, "She's not the girl for you." But one day these high school seniors are drawn together in the simple moment of reaching at the same time for a fallen book. Can this seemingly perfect girl now be the love he's hoped for? If so, why does he continually work at destroying the possibility? Why does he stray from Linda time and again? Does she forgive him?