Amy May, Carmen, and Bea were practically sitting on top of each other to try and be seen in the tiny screen.
“You can’t be mad at us, you’re in paradise for crying out loud,” Amy said in reply.
“Nice frosting,” Bea added.
I extended my tongue and licked the frosting off, then giggled at their chorus of cheers.
“What are you guys up to?” I asked, lying flat on my back and stretching out my arms.
“We’re having margaritas, apps, and a Come to Jesus talk with Carmen,” Amy May supplied.
“Have you had enough margaritas yet?” I asked Carmen.
“Yeah, I think so,” she said with a wobbly nod.
“So,” I prompted, “You’re ready to say yes to Bran?”
“I think so,” Carmen said with a cute half shrug. “He’s just so…”
“So are you!” Amy May and Bea cried, and I knew they’d been trying to drill that fact into Carmen’s head.
“They think I’m the shit,” Carmen said with a goofy smile.
“That’s because you are,” I assured her. “Now, text Bran and tell him you’d love to go out with him.”
“What if I’m too late?” Carmen asked.
“You’re not,” Amy May replied.
Then Bea added, “And if you are, then you’ll find someone else worthy of all your awesome.”
“Thanks, guys,” Carmen said, her eyes filling.
“Okay, I think it’s time to lay off the margaritas,” I said with a chuckle.
“Don’t worry, we’ve got her,” Bea replied.
“We miss you,” Amy May said as Carmen punched stuff into her phone.
“Done,” Carmen said, looking up and into the camera with a smile, then her face fell. “Oh God, what did I just do?”
“Carmen,” I called with a gently smile. “You like him. He likes you. You’ll be fine, just give it a shot.”
“I know, you’re right. And I’m usually not so nervous … I’m a pretty confident person. But Bran, I just feel like, he matters. You know?”
“Absolutely,” I said with a nod, thinking of Cade.
“Okay, babe, we’re gonna sign off, pay our bill, and cab it home. Give Cade and the twins hugs from us, and we’ll see you soon,” Amy May said, waving her hand at who I presumed was their waiter.
“Love you guys,” I replied.
“We love you too,” they shouted, way too loudly for a public place, which meant when I signed off, I did it laughing.
I grabbed my cupcake wrapper and wandered out of Cade’s room. Following the sounds of laughter, I rounded the corner to see Cade, his parents, the twins, and Alani sitting at the table, laughing as they played Pictionary.
I walked up behind Cade and placed my hands on his shoulders, kneading the muscles there as I looked down at the board.
“Who’s green?” I asked.