Stupey’s is dead for a Saturday night. The rain didn’t help. We would’ve stayed in, too, if Astrid, Gray, and his brother Hartley hadn’t come to town.
“So what are you going to do now that you’re unemployed?” Hartley asks.
Drake squeezes my thigh under the table. “We’ve been throwing ideas around. We might start a podcast of our own.”
“We might get chickens,” I say.
Astrid snorts. “I’d love to see that.”
“Or we might just hibernate for the winter and figure it out in the spring.” Drake shrugs.
I jam a thumb his way. “Apparently, my boyfriend is loaded, so we don’t worry about it.”
The table laughs because I’m the only one who didn’t realize this.
The guys get into a conversation about baseball and the Bobcats not making the playoffs. I start to chime in when my phone buzzes. I flip it over and see Juni’s name on top.
Juni: Hey, Gianna!
I pick up the device and type a response.
Me: Hey, Juni! How are you?
Juni: Great. I won the office pool. I’m two hundred bucks richer because of you. So thanks. Haha
Me: What was your guess?
Juni: I guessed you’d be together until forever. Everyone else had an end date within the last week, so I won. Yay!
Her messages make me smile. I love Juni so much.
Me: Meet me for lunch sometime?
Juni: Say when.
Me: I’ll text you next week.
Juni: Perfect. Tell Drake I said hi.
Me: Will do.
“We need to set Juni up with someone,” I say, setting my phone down. “She’s so cute and sweet. That was her. She won the office pool.”
Drake grins.
“Set her up with Jory,” Gray says. “Juni and Jory. Could get confusing, but he’s single.”
“Hey,” Drake says, nodding. “I like that. Maybe we can set them up?—”
“And send them to Hess,” I say. “Yes. Let’s do it.”
Our friends banter again, the sound loud and chaotic … and perfect. I sit back with my fingers locked with Drake’s and feel so unbelievably grateful. I have the best boyfriend, the best friends, and a wider group of friends and acquaintances that are nothing short of amazing.
And a sister.
I grab my phone again, feeling sentimental.
Me: I love you.
