I grab my purse, shove my phone inside, and hurry down the stairs.
Zane is waiting next to the car, and he looks incredible. A black button-up hugs his shoulders and arms like it was made for him.
“Hey,” he says with a smile as I approach. He leans in and kisses my cheek. “You look incredible.”
“So do you,” I reply softly. “Where’s your sister?” I add, glancing toward the car. The windows are tinted, and I can’t see inside.
“Here!” a voice calls from the other side as the door swings open.
Lisa steps out, and she’s gorgeous in that effortless, model kind of way. Long brown hair, bright smile, and confidence that fills the space around her.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” she says, walking straight toward me.
Before I can even offer my hand, she pulls me into a tight hug.
“It’s nice to meet you, too,” I laugh.
“Are you excited for the party?” Zane asks, hopeful.
Before I can answer, Lisa lets out a dramatic sigh.
“I don’t think anyone’s excited about a bunch of jocks getting drunk,” she says. “Do we really have to go? We could just hit a bar instead.”
“It’ll be good to meet new people,” Zane tells her. “You need some friends in the city.”
“I already have friends. I have you, and now I have Gwen,” she replies, looping her arm through mine.
“Another friend of mine will be there too, if you want more than one female friend,” I add, and Lisa’s shoulders relax slightly.
“You seem nice. Is your friend as nice as you?” she asks skeptically, making me laugh.
“Tess is nicer than I’ll ever be,” I tell her, and I mean it.
“Those are big words. Zane has told me a lot about you, and you really are something,” Lisa says, making me blush.
“Right well, let’s go,” Zane cuts in, scratching the back of his neck.
Lisa and I slide into the backseat while Zane closes the door behind me and takes the front seat next to Josh.
“Was I supposed to bring something?” I suddenly ask as the thought hits me.
“Not your sanity, you’ll lose it with this crowd,” Lisa jokes.
“You’re fine, Gwen. No need to bring anything,” Zane says, reaching his hand back to rest briefly on my knee.
Just like that, my defenses melt.
“Is my face shiny?” Lisa suddenly asks, turning toward me.
“No?” I laugh.
“Pictures will be taken tonight, Gwen. We have to be prepared,” she says with a grin.
That hadn’t even crossed my mind. “Am I shiny?”
“You shine, but you’re not shiny,” Lisa says, and I almost don’t know what to do with how effortlessly kind she is.
The drive only takes about five minutes, but in that time, Lisa tells me Zane used to be obsessed with Power Rangers, Avril Lavigne, and the color teal. He sighs every time she mentions it, which only makes me laugh harder.
