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“Okay. Fair enough.” He doesn’t push further. He simply nods and walks over to where our balls are by the hole.

And I like that.

There’s a lot about Shane I like.

“You know,” he says as he putts the ball. It goes around the ring of the cup two times before dropping in. “I almost didn’t ask for your number.”

“Because we made you break the law and drive five of us.”

“No, because I thought you were with that guy. The one you were sitting on in the Uber.”

“Oh.” I shake my head. “He’s engaged to my friend Juliet. The one in the passenger seat.”

“Really?” His tone rises like that information surprises him.

“Yeah.” I shrug. I’ve learned over the years that adding a shoulder shrug enhances my acting skills, makes it seem like I couldn’t care less about Vinny and Juliet. “But we’ve all been friends for years.”

“Ah.” There are a few nods before he speaks again. “It wasn’t until your friend said that you were single that I decided to go for it with you.”

“I’m glad you did.”

His lips push into a teasing smile.

“What?” I shift my weight. “Why are you smiling at me like that?”

“It’s just… I wasn’t sure you were going to give me your number when I asked. You seemed really hesitant.”

I glance down at my ball, lining up my putter so I can avoid eye contact. “I just haven’t done this in a while.”

“Mini golf?”

My eyes dart to him and his goofy grin. “Dating.”

“Me either. So we’re both bad at this.”

“I don’t think you’re bad at it. In fact, you’re extremely good at being charming.” The way his smile widens has me blushing. I focus back on my turn and swing my club, sending my ball three feet to the hole.

When I finally look at him again, he’s already staring at me with those same flirty eyes, and somehow my body notices.

It’s new. Light. Fun.

I’d forgotten liking someone could feel fun.

“So you’re saying there’s a high probability that you’d go on a second date with me?”

I laugh a little, answering before I even think about it. “Yeah, I’d go on a second date with you.”

My quick response surprises me.

I want to see Shane again.

That’s huge.

Because even though today is Vinny’s birthday, for nearly three hours, there have been entire stretches of time when I wasn’t thinking about him at all. Wondering what he was doing. Wondering what Juliet did to make his day feel special.

It’s progress for me.

Maybe Avery was right.