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We continued to make idle chit chat and catch up when Kayla’s voice called, “Hey, we need some help hanging the decorations.”

“Looks like duty calls,” I joked.

Just then, Jen also hollered out. “Tyler, where do you keep your scissors and tape? And do you know where I left my migraine meds?”

Alex raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like you have your own summons.” He stared at me curiously. “Seems you two are getting along a lot better.”

“Yeah,” I answered and shrugged noncommittally. Before he could pursue his line of questioning I hurried toward the house, leaving him to stare at me with an amused, but knowing look.

Back inside the kitchen, I greeted Kayla with a big hug and kiss on the cheek. She squeezed me tight in return. She studied me curiously. “You look different . . . in a good way. What’s up?”

I shrugged. “Guess I’m just enjoying my summer, expanding my interests. I’ve discovered a few new things, like how much I enjoy yoga.”

“Yoga? You?” Kayla choked.

A noise like something falling on the floor sounded. I glanced over to see Jen bending to pick a spoon up.

I snuck a sly smile in her direction. “Oh, sometimes I like to do the . . .unexpected.” She hid her mouth behind a fake cough, but I think I caught a slight grin.

Kayla looked confused but refocused when I handed her the requested tape and scissors. I excused myself and went upstairs to retrieve Jen’s migraine meds where I’d seen them in a makeup bag on my bathroom counter. I brought it to her in the kitchen.

“Oh, thank you. I was worried I didn’t have any here,” she smiled.

“Are you okay?” I asked, holding her arm gently when she started to turn away.

“I’ll be fine. I can feel just a touch of what might become one, and I don’t want to take any chances.” She smiled reassuringly.

I was still worried. “Do you want to go upstairs and lay down? I can do whatever needs to be done.”

She shook her head. “Just a precaution, but thank you.”

Kayla crossed her arms and leaned against the counter. “You two are being awfully polite to each other. Is there something going on between you?” she demanded. “And before you deny too much, don’t forget I know about the night of the wedding.”

Alex elbowed her. “What are you talking about?” He looked suspiciously at me. I was looking in surprise at Jen, who in turn, was glaring at her best friend.

“Kayla!” Jen hissed.

Kayla seemed nonplussed by the scolding. “Well?”

“Why would you ask that?” Jen questioned, her pink cheeks a sure giveaway.

Kayla’s finger waved between her best friend and me. “Well first,” she pointed at Jen, “you were here early, and you haven’t sniped at each other the entire time we’ve been here. Second,” her finger shifted to me, “you seemed to know exactly where to find her headache medicine.” She beamed at us with a satisfied grin. “Now just why would Tyler have to go upstairswhere the bedrooms areto get Jen’s prescription, hmm?”

“Well,” Jen hemmed, shooting a nervous look at me. I just offered her my best innocent face. I wasn’t going to deny anything, but it was fun to watch her friend unravel her. It was worth the annoyed glance she gave me. “My air is broken at the apartment, and Tyler said he had extra room, so he offered to let me stay here. That’s all.”

“Mmmhmm.” Kayla looked like she was zeroing in for the kill. “So why did he come out ofhisbedroom withyourmeds?” She looked like the cat that stole the cream.

“Kaaylaaa,” Alex warned under his breath. “I told you not to push this.” Kayla shut him down with a light backslap of her hand against his chest.

Jen threw her hands up in the air. “You must watch too many crime shows, Kayla,” she grumbled. “But fine. You’re right. Happy? I decided he isn’t so bad after all.”

I pulled her backward against my chest and propped my head on top of hers. “Thanks,” I said dryly, making her giggle.

Kayla beamed. “See?” she said triumphantly, turning toward Alex. She nodded in satisfaction and looked back at Jen. “And for your information, yes. I’m happy because it’s my turn to say ‘I told you so.’”

“It’s not the first time you could say that,” Jen mumbled, but Kayla didn’t seem to hear her. I hugged her a bit tighter.

Alex clapped his hands and rubbed them together. “Okay, then. We have a party to get ready for.” I felt Jen breathe a sigh of relief; I knew she didn’t like having her life so easily examined in front of others.