After I’m finally home, I unpack the groceries and my clothes, then take a shower. Everleigh comes home and nearly squeals when she sees me.
“Holy shit. Where’re you headed?”
“You’re home earlier than usual,” I deflect.
“Cara’s closing tonight. And don’t change the subject. You have a date.”
“It’s not a date,” I counter. “I put your lady things in the bathroom.”
“My lady things?” She giggles. “I can’t believe you bought them.”
I snap my eyes to her. “You told me to!”
“I added them as a joke, but it’s nice to know that when a woman’s in crisis, you’ll rise to the occasion.”
“You’re such a brat.”
“You love me.”
I shake my head and make a mental note to get her back later.
“Now, tell me where you’re going.”
“Gemma’s,” I mutter as I grab all the ingredients and place them in a bag.
“Oh em gee!” she squeals.
I look at her and glare. “Stop that.”
“I knew it. You two are destined together.”
“I don’t believe in destiny.”
“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 eating her for 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 but sweet. She was handing out condoms at a school fundraiser.”
I take a sip of my drink and nearly choke. “Wait, what?”
“Yep. She made a sign too. Our body, our choice, our right. Then threw condoms like confetti.”
“For fuck’s sake.” I let out a breath. “How did I not hear about that?”
“She almost got expelled, but your grandma marched down there and had ‘words.’” She uses air quotes, and I snort.
“That couldn’t have been good.” I chuckle, digging around and grabbing a pot and pan. “Wow. So, she’s always been this way.”
“Ohhh yeah. Between the three of us, she’s the instigator. Katie’s the logical one, always trying to reason with her bad ideas.”
“And what are you?”
She lowers her eyes. “The gullible one, I suppose.”
I frown. “That’s not true. You’re the sweet one.”
“Sweet and gullible,” she counters.
“Sweet and gorgeous,” I correct, flashing her a wink.
She tilts her head with a smile. “I guess I’ll take it.”
“Good. Now, I’m gonna make you the best meal of your life.” I drizzle the oil, then add the steak pieces.
“And what masterpiece are you creating tonight, Chef Tyler?”
Fuck. She just made that sound so goddamn sexy.
I tell her while adding seasoning, and I swear her mouth waters.
“And for dessert…” I hold up the cheesecake I bought.
“I think I just had a food-gasm. It already smells delicious.” She hums.