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The door to the apartment building closes behind me with a gentle thud.

“That building’s entrance has lovely lighting, and you know we pay attention to everything.” Avery snaps her fingers in front of her. “Court, get back here.”

“I’m sorry, I’ve been waiting for far too long for Tommy to really make a move. Oh wait, did she make it?”

“I’m more than happy to let you two speculate all night and not provide any actual facts,” I tell them, starting up my truck and mounting my phone. “And, for the record, it’s not like I mauled her, but I went in for the first one.”

My cab fills with high-pitched sounds of sheer delight. These two are the best damn support system in the world.

“The first one?” Avery asks at the same time Courtney says, “Please tell me you two made out!”

I rub my jaw, waiting at the red light. “Um, yes.”

There’s silence on the other end and I peek down at the screen, barking out a laugh at the very unamused faces staring at me.

“Okay, details.” I let out a breath, taking a second to gather my thoughts. It’s not like I’ve had time to replay or process anything. These two have a sixth sense for when to call. “We didn’t go to the movie.”

“Hot damn,” Courtney murmurs.

“No, she had horrible cramps and was actually trying to get ready for our date with them. She was in so much pain and she felt like our date was ruined, so I kissed her, got her settled, and then cooked so we could have our dinner-and-a-movie-date at her place.”

“Oh. My. God. You are the fucking sweetest.” I can hear Felix meowing behind Avery.

“Anyway, I started chicken soup since that’s what Court always wants—”

“Yessss,” Courtney interjects.

“Good lord, you two,” I murmur before filling them in on the rest of the date.

“You did dishes there again? Oh my God, she’s going to ask you to move in soon.” Avery leans away from the phone to yell, “Jackson, are you taking notes?”

My oldest brother’s voice is faint, “Didn’t you already move in with me?”

“Fair enough.” I can hear the smile in her voice.

“We already figured you two out, we’re focusing on Tommy,” Courtney says impatiently.

“Just wait until you turn your dating apps back on,” I jest. The dating pool has been slim pickings for her lately.

There’s a pause. “What aren’t you telling us, Courtney?”

She lets out a disgruntled snort. “I don’t even know if there’s anything to tell, to be honest. There’s a chance I’m going on a date this weekend, but I also know he’s going to be out of town for a while. So all of this is to say that my apps are off and if this happens to be a date, it’s not like there will be a second date any time soon.”

Avery and I just sit there until I break the silence. “Well, who is it?”

“I’m calling a rain check on this one. If I misread this, I’m going to look like a huge ass so I’m going into it pretending it’s just a friend thing.”

“Do we know him?” Avery asks.

“Yes,” Courtney says with a little fake sulk in her voice. “But no names or hints unless it turns out to be a date. And stop changing the subject. I need my details, man!”

“Okay, okay. She’s an even better kisser than I imagined, and I promise you that my imagination has been especially fixated on Samantha Davies.” I take a breath in through my nose, smelling her perfume from my shirt. “We definitely made out and I realized that things just feel good and natural with her. I can pause to kiss her in the kitchen and she smiles at me. She cuddles with me during movies. And this might sound stupid, but she lets me get to know her quirks. She has a system for everything and when I ask about it, she’ll explain it. I mean, she’ll blush and look self-conscious, but it’s like she’s waiting for me to make fun of her for it. I swear she must have dated some complete dickwads before.”

“Listen to him talk about her,” Courtney coos.

“I know, he’s so far gone.”

“You know we’re on a group call and I can hear you both, right?” I say, trying to deflect a little of their oohing and ahhing away from my evening. The truth is, I know I’m far gone. That even with my baggage and how long I’ve put off anything resembling dating, Sam just feels right. Now that I know she’s interested in me, I can do what’s natural. Both girls laugh at me and we fall into an easy silence for a moment.