“What? Why not?”
I shrug. “I just don’t. Things happen due to actions, not because of some special universe game.”
“You’re just jaded. I bet you’ll think differently in a few months.”
“Doubtful.” I move around the kitchen counter and into the other room to find my shoes.
“You’re all dressed up for a date and now you’re packing food. Are you cooking?” she asks with way too much enthusiasm.
“Yes,” I say, then explain what I’m making.
“Then eatingherfor dessert?” She waggles her brows.
I groan and grab my shit. “I’m leaving now.”
“Alright, have fun! I won’t wait up for you,” she calls out, snorting. “Don’t be loud when you come home tomorrow morning.”
“You need to get a life so you can stay out of mine,” I tease.
“Don’t count on it since you’ll be marrying and making babies with my best friend.” She smirks when I shake my head and open the door. “Which means no using protection! You can’t make a baby that way.”
“You should stop drinking before five. It’s a bad habit.” She’s gotta be wasted if she’s talking about marriage and kids.
“It’s almost six,” she gloats.
“Then by all means, get smashed.”
“Not that I need your permission, but Ruby and I are hanging out at the pub later tonight.”
“What about Katie?”
“She couldn’t find a sitter.”
I would’ve offered to hang out with Owen if I didn’t already have plans.
“Okay, well I gotta go. Behave yourself,” I mock, then walk to the car and load everything.
By the time I park in Gemma’s driveway, I’m a ball of nerves. I shouldn’t be this damn anxious, but I am.
Grabbing my stuff, I go to her door and knock. As I inhale a deep breath, she opens it and beams at me.
“Wow,” I exhale and scan my eyes down her blue dress that coincidentally matches my shirt. “You look beautiful.”
Breathtaking, actually.
“Thank you.” She licks her lips and blushes. I love when her cheeks tint that shade of pink. “And you look quite handsome yourself.” Gemma steps back, allowing me to enter. “Did you get a haircut?”
I chuckle as I head to the kitchen. “I did.”
Then I tell her about the guy who recommended the place and fill her in on Everleigh’s shopping scheme as I unload the items.
“I can’t believe you fell for that.” She laughs as she opens the bottle of wine I brought. Gemma pours it into two glasses, then hands one over.
“She’s feistier than I remember,” I defend. “When I left, she was a sweet angel. You and Katie must be to blame.”
“Trust me, she was anything butsweet. She was handing out condoms at a school fundraiser.”
I take a sip of my drink and nearly choke. “Wait, what?”