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I looked pretty much the same, so it was nice I didn’t feel like a total slob.

“Where’s Eloise?” I asked.

“She and Camile are out for the day. El and I try to make sure we do our own thing every now and then since we’re literally together all the time.” That seemed really healthy.

Cade was glowing as she led me through the house and into the kitchen where she’d set up some snacks for us. I hadn’t even eaten breakfast, so I was starving.

“So. What’s wrong?” Cade asked as she made us both lattes. She was practically a pro barista after making a bazillion for Eloise every day when they worked. I still couldn’t believe that she’d originally been Eloise’s assistant and now they were committed and living together.

“Nothing’s wrong,” I said, shoving a bite of chocolate croissant into my mouth.

“Reid. You asked to come over to my house. Not to go out for brunch. Not on a hike. You asked to come over here and I know you. Something’s up. Let’s talk.” She leaned against the counter and crossed her freckled arms.

“Can I at least have some caffeine first?” I groaned, resting my head on the marble countertop. Probably left a forehead print.

Cade snorted. “Yeah, sure.”

She let me have some caffeine and snacks before giving me an expectant look.

“Ugh, fine, okay.” I drained the dregs of my latte and reached for a handful of grapes. “So you remember the girl who moved in next door?”

Cade rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I remember. I’m not that bad.”

“I didn’t say you were, kid. God.” Letting out a sound of frustration, I pretended I was going to pelt her with a grape. She held her hands up to protect herself, but she didn’t need to.

Cade grinned at me. “Come onnnnn, Reid. Tell me. Something has happened. I can see it on your face.”

Now I definitely did want to hide my face behind a pillow. If there was one thing I hated, it was talking about myself, and talking about things like this. Part of the reason I avoided relationships was so I wouldn’t have to be in these exact situations. Feeling breathless and nervous and unsure and unstable. I hated it. Made me want to claw off my own skin.

“She’s newly out. Baby lesbian, apparently. And she’s got a lot of anxiety about trying to date and all that, so she asked me to kind of practice with her.” It sounded so silly and juvenile when I put it like that.

“She asked you to practice dating with her? Is this real? Am I suddenly living in a romcom?” she asked and then pinched me gently.

“Ow!” I said, swatting her away and pretending it hurt. “It’s not like that. She just has a hard time talking to people sometimes. So she asked me to help her. And I see a lot of people dating and so forth at Sapph.” I’d probably seen more first dates and hookups than someone at an actual dating service. Sapph had even done multiple speed dating events that I’d worked and those had honestly been fascinating. There was one coming up next month. Sophie should sign up. Or I should sign her up and then force her to go. She’d hate me, but it would be a good thing for her to do. She’d get a whole lot of conversational practice.

“Uh huhhh,” Cade said, drawing the last word out. “So you’re not teaching her how to kiss?” Her tone was hopeful.

“No, I’m not teaching her how to kiss because this is not a romance novel, you weirdo. I swear, living with Eloise has poisoned your brain.” I said it as a joke, and she grinned at me.

“It’s not so much living with a romance author, it’s sleeping with one,” she said, wiggling her eyebrows.

I slammed my hands over my ears. “I do not need to know about your sex life, Cade. Jesus.”

Cade yanked my hands down and cackled. “Sorry. So much regular amazing sex has made me see romance everywhere.” She let out a happy little sigh and I was rethinking throwing grapes at her.

“It’s not like that, Cade. She picked me because I live next door and she remembers me and feels comfortable from when she was a kid. That’s it.”

Cade pressed her lips together as if holding back something she wanted to say.

“Stop looking at me like that! I don’t like her.”

Cade pointed at me. “Liar! You’re such a liar. You do like her. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t like her. You like her and you’re alllll twisted up about it.” Her face lit up like Christmas had come early.

“I don’t like her,” I said, but Cade just kept smiling.

“Yeah, you do. You like her a lot. Come on, tell me about her.”

I set my uneaten grapes down and groaned. “Fine, shit. It’s hard, you know? Because she looks like Kaylee. My ex. Who is her sister.” I needed to remember that fact more often. It was too easy to forget the more time I spent with Sophie.