Page 36 of Love You A Latte

Everly squeals and holds up her left hand, where a new, glittering ring adorns her finger. A bright, colorless diamond, sparkling in the morning sun.

“OH MY GOD!” I shriek and launch myself at her, tornbetween snatching her hand and giving her another hug. I settle on some combination of both, one arm around her neck and the other grasping her hand for a closer look.

“ASIM!” I turn to him and my eyes feel like they’re exploding from my head. “This is the most perfect ring I have ever seen in my entire life.”

Everly throws her head back in laughter and Asim’s eyes sparkle as his whole body seems to puff up in satisfaction. He remembers a few moments later that I had been speaking to him, and he gives himself a little shake as he tears his focus from his future wife and back to me.

“Thank you, I think she’s quite pleased,” he says, his accent drawing out the vowels.

“Pleased?” Everly scoffs, lightly slapping his chest. “I freaking love it and you know it, but if you’ve forgotten, I’m happy to remind you.”

His eyes sparkle as hers dance with mischief and I don’t want to know any more.

“Okay!” I say, clapping my hands. “You need help unpacking?”

I turn to the car, but Asim places a gentle hand on my shoulder.

“I’ve got it,” he says. “You two go relax and catch up.”

“Okay seriously,” I hiss at Everly as we step inside and head toward the kitchen. I assume she’s hungry after her travels. “How did you find that man?”

Everly laughs. “Oh, you know. An obnoxious poinsettia delivery combined with some light stalking, and bam. Perfect future husband.”

She stares at the ring on her finger with hearts in her eyes and I roll mine. She’s ridiculous but honestly, that summary was pretty accurate.

“Alright spill. How did he propose? I bet it was romantic. That man’s gone for you.”

She grins and shares the story. How baby sea turtles were involved, how she accidentally ruined his plans the first time, but it ended up being perfect anyway. She shows me pictures of their trip and my heart pangs at the joy radiating from the photos. I’m happy for her, for both of them, but also… I want that for myself.

“So…” she says, and the glint in her eye raises my defenses. “You and Frankie seemed to be spending a lot of time together this week…”

I blink at her. How does she possibly know that?

Everly must see my confusion because she continues before I get the chance to ask.

“Moose has a GPS tracker on his collar.” She grins. A feline, satisfied, pushy older sister grin that I do not like the looks of.

Then I register what she said. My brain flits backward through the last week, and the full extent of what she’s saying hits me. I spent hours at Roasted every day, with Moose. I also spent the night at Frankie’s place, again with Moose. One glance at Everly tells me she already knows all of this. She’s biting her lip and bouncing like she can’t wait to hear what I have to say.

I sigh, “Okay, don’t be mad—”

“What?” she squawks. “I’m not mad! Are you together? Please tell me you’re together!” Her hands meet in front of her chest like she’s praying and I slump with relief. I guess Frankie was right.

“We’re…” I start, then stop. “I guess we haven’t defined it.”

I don’t tell her what I was about to say. That we’reus, together.

“Okay,” Everly says, dragging out the word. “But?”

“But we’re together, yeah, and we’re figuring it out as we go.”

Everly squeals and I jump as she leaps up from her bar stool to embrace me again. I don’t think I’ve been hugged this much in years. I like it.

“I knew it! Gah, this is the best news ever! I bet you’re stupid cute together. Oh my god, I have to call Frankie.”

My face is turning more and more red with every word she says, and when Asim walks into the kitchen to drop a kiss on her head, he pauses.

“What’s up?” he says.

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