“Hold your horses, you know my situation isn’t the same as yours,” I quietly say.
“I’ve been thinking about it more, and I think you’ve done the right thing.”
“You do?”
She bobs her head as we stop in front of the hall door. “You’re in the perfect position now to make a move and turn it from fake to real.”
“He’s not interested in me like that.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure. He seems touchy-feely with you in a way that screams real.” She clutches my arm, and her eyes glimmer with excitement. “I’ll get Scott to buy tickets for the Asteroid gig in Burly. If you’re not really dating by then, you could make a move on him that night.”
“I’ll ask Callan if he wants to go, but don’t get your hopes up.” Or mine too. I’ve been giving myself little pep talks all day, reminding myself every time Callan takes my hand or drapes his arm around me that he’s just playing a part.
“Think big, babe, and manifest it into being!”
“Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?”
“I’m just so happy right now.” She picks up my hand, examining my nails. “That’s a pretty color.”
“I got it at the store when I was picking up some accessories for Roni after school.” Callan had dropped me home before going to the gym, and I’d headed straight back out.
“Could I borrow it?”
My brows climb to my hairline before my head dips, zoning in on the chipped black polish adorning her nails. “It’s bubblegum pink.”
“I’m not colorblind.” Gwen rolls her eyes.
“I thought you were allergic to color.” Gwen favors black above every color, and I’ve only ever known her to wear black or navy on her nails.
“You wound me.” She slaps a hand over her chest before her teasing expression vanishes. “I actually really like Scott, and I don’t know, I just feel like being more…girly.”
“Stay here.” I race up the stairs, grabbing the nail polish and one of my favorite dresses from my closet. Then I run back down, handing them to Gwen at the door. “Keep the polish. Call it a new relationship gift, and please say you’ll wear this dress tonight. It’ll go great with the polish, and it’ll look fab on you.”
She holds up the pretty minidress with cap sleeves and a flowy skirt. It’s white with a pink, purple, and blue pattern, and the style is flexible to fit her shorter, curvier figure. It’s not something Gwen would usually wear, but it’ll look great on her, and I want her to embrace her girliness to the max.
“I can’t take this. It’s one of your faves.”
I have to smother a laugh. Gwen has no issue borrowing my things, but it’s usually one of my little black dresses.
“Don’t be ridic. Take the dress and have fun with Scott.”
“You’re the sweetest.” She squeezes me before shoving the dress and polish into her bag. “See you at school tomorrow.”
I wave her off and then dash back inside, spending thirty minutes finishing my homework before I grab the shopping bags and head across the road to the Hunts’.
“Are those what I think they are?” Roni eyeballs the bags like they’re expensive designer gowns and not just a few candles and ornaments from a local store.
“I dropped by the store after school and picked up those items we discussed.” I follow her into the dining room, and we unpack the bags onto the table. Roni gushes over everything, and we discuss where each item will go as I show her the almost complete drawings and plans on my tablet.
“Let me make tea,” she says. “I have apple pie and?—”
“Hand my girlfriend over,” Callan says, and his deep, gruff tone has shivers racing across my skin. His tall, broad frame fills the doorway, and I have no idea how long he’s been standing there. “You’ve hogged her enough for one night.”
Roni positively glows, and I feel my cheeks heating. “I didn’t want to embarrass you.” She clasps my hands and beams at me. “But Tony and I are so happy you and Callan are together. I knew I wasn’t imagining the sparks flying between you!”
“Ma. Jesus.” Callan strides into the room and pulls me up out of my seat. “We’re going now before you say anything else to embarrass yourself and us.”
“Keep the door open, Callan!” she calls out as we walk up the stairs.
