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Making sure nothing is out of place, I grab my purse from the bed and shut off the lights except the one right inside my door.

Tommy: Bryant left after the first song and is chopping wood, but Matt and Caleb are making a big batch of stock, so they’re trapped. Also, Chuck changed my alert sound to Gertrude eating something, so feel free to take your time, I’m going to check all my sounds.

I snort out a laugh reading about a new cow sound. Maybe one day we’ll figure out how Chuck keeps accessing Tommy’s phone. But until then, it’s harmless and pretty darn funny.

Right as I leave the building, Tommy’s head pops up from his phone and his eyes take me in.

“Stunning as always,” he says, taking my hand and bringing me in for a kiss, his cowboy hat tipping back. He tastes like his toothpaste this evening and I’m tempted to pull him into the building and into my apartment, missing yet another dinner reservation.

“You look as handsome as ever,” I say, looking down at his blue button down shirt and perfectly fitting brown dress pants. There’s no doubt in my mind that his butt looks fantastic in these. As he opens the door for me, I give him a little more room that’s necessary, but I get a good look at his backside.

Oh I totally called it. These might tie for first with how good his butt looks in his jeans. And that’s saying something.

As we’re buckling our seatbelts, our phones chime in unison.

Courtney: I found Avery at the store and persuaded her to come over for a spa night. No phones, no devices. Only chick flicks, nail polish, and facials. You both in?

“Wasn’t she going on a date tonight?” I ask Tommy.

He makes a face. “I’m guessing something came up… again.”

“That can’t be good.”

He shakes his head.

Avery: OMG you two have your first date! You’re officially uninvited because it’s high time you go on a real date.

Courtney: Dates are overrated.

Courtney: This is Avery, I took her phone. Dates are not overrated and she knows it. Go on your date and we’ll get all the juicy details tomorrow.

“Are we supposed to be part of this conversation?” I ask, laughing while typing as Tommy runs his hand over his face, groaning. “We can stop by to make sure they’re okay, maybe.”

Sam: Are you sure? We can reschedule…it sounds like distractions might be in order for tonight.

Tommy: Did you get the name? If he canceled twice on her, I need to know who I should hate.

Avery: She still won’t say who it is or why he canceled.

Avery: But really, go have your date and I’ll add extra chocolate to the cookies.

“What are you thinking?” I ask Tommy as he reads Avery’s reply with a frown.

“It’s not like Courtney to keep things from us, so this has just been strange. But…” He trails off.

“But what?”

“But I also know if we show up, Avery will turn us right around and march us to Maybel’s if she has to.” Another pause. “And I’d really like to take you out to dinner.”

Courtney: HA! You can’t take my watch! But yes, you two go on your date. We’ll toast you two with our cookies and milk.

Tommy looks over at me, eyebrows raised. “Shall we keep our reservation for once?”

Avery seems to have things under control but it was nice to be included. I really haven’t had friends like these before. It’s more spontaneous and more…passionate. They’re fiercely protective of each other and they seem to have folded me into their dynamic. “Maybe we can drop off dessert on our way back to my place?”

“I love that.” His smile is so warm it melts my heart.

Avery: Honk when you pass Court’s house, we’re turning off our phones!