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A sculpture alcove led into a zone full of vases and similar vessels, and so on until guests were funneled out to a rarely used courtyard that had been transformed into a magical garden full of fountains, pots, and a hundred little lawn ornaments. Reagan’s work was displayed together and hidden behind a massive black curtain suspended from the rafters for added drama.

“Everything really looks incredible,” Sue said with a mouthful of pizza. “It was a shit-ton of work but totally worth it.”

Kimber agreed as she reached for another room-temp beer, but it was Imani Reagan was watching.

“This was a good idea,” Imani finally agreed before taking a sip from her can. “You’ve been talking about this for so long, I can’t believe you actually did it.”

“Wow, that almost sounded like a compliment,” Reagan joked as she leaned back on her elbow. She was too tired to

get up o the floor.

“Don’t push it or I’ll comment how we’re here and the Pillow Princess isn’t,” she replied with a laugh.

“Don’t call her that,” Reagan snapped.

“Chill out, I’m playing. Though it’s funny that you don’t dispute it.”

When Reagan’s jaw tightened, Kimber interrupted.

“Okay, okay. Let’s not do this. Can’t we just relish the feeling of a job well done?”

Imani rolled her eyes a little but didn’t argue.

“But where is your new lady love?” Sue asked.

“She’s been here all week and she was here this morning,” Reagan replied, her mind drifting back to the taste of Libby’s kiss.

“I’m shocked she hasn’t moved in the way she’s got you all dreamy-eyed,” Sue joked, snagging the last slice.

“Straight girls don’t move that fast,” Kimber replied with complete confidence.

“But it’s been like a year, right? Though I guess it’s hard to remember how long they’ve been together when we haven’t met her.” Imani’s eyes were trained on her. She was always so good at sni ng out when things weren’t quite right.

Reagan’s stomach tightened but she didn’t tell them the truth. She wanted to tell them the story. To share the excitement of falling head over heels and how they’d taken another step forward that morning, but she kept her mouth shut. Being unable to share her feelings was a small price to pay for feeling them.

“Well, you’ll all get to meet her tomorrow. She’s really looking forward to meeting you too,” Reagan said after sifting for kernels of truth.

Imani looked like she wanted to say something else but took a sip of her beer instead.

“I think she looks really nice in her videos,” Sue decided.

“And she seems to really know what she’s talking about when it comes to dating. Maybe she can hook your besties up with some ladies.”

Kimber shoved her. “She’s not a Hollywood Madam.”

Laughter evaporated the tension that had rushed in and chilled the room.

Sue clutched her imaginary pearls. “Come on, that’s not what I meant!”

They talked and laughed a while longer until Reagan’s energy level finally reached its end. Once she was alone, she dragged herself into the shower and then dropped on her bed like a corpse. Despite being totally exhausted, she couldn’t sleep and turned to her phone.

Libby: Come onnnnn send me pictures of how it turned out!

They’d been texting about her progress, but Reagan continued to refuse photographic evidence. After all her e ort, she wanted to be rewarded by Libby’s amazement when she walked into the fully transformed space.

Reagan: You’re the one who decided to be a good girl and see your family tonight! If you hadn’t, you’d be here right now seeing it for yourself.

Libby: I’m pretty sure you set me up for multiple pervy responses, but I’ll leave them alone and say that I do wish I was there right now.