“What? Why not?”
 
 I shrug. “I just don’t. Things happen due to actions, not because of some special universe game.”
 
 “You’re just jaded. I bet you’ll think differently in a few months.”
 
 “Doubtful.” I move around the kitchen counter and into the other room to find my shoes.
 
 “You’re all dressed up for a date and now you’re packing food. Are you cooking?” she asks with way too much enthusiasm.
 
 “Yes,” I say, then explain what I’m making.
 
 “Then eatingherfor dessert?” She waggles her brows.
 
 I groan and grab my shit. “I’m leaving now.”
 
 “Alright, have fun! I won’t wait up for you,” she calls out, snorting. “Don’t be loud when you come home tomorrow morning.”
 
 “You need to get a life so you can stay out of mine,” I tease.
 
 “Don’t count on it since you’ll be marrying and making babies with my best friend.” She smirks when I shake my head and open the door. “Which means no using protection! You can’t make a baby that way.”
 
 “You should stop drinking before five. It’s a bad habit.” She’s gotta be wasted if she’s talking about marriage and kids.
 
 “It’s almost six,” she gloats.
 
 “Then by all means, get smashed.”
 
 “Not that I need your permission, but Ruby and I are hanging out at the pub later tonight.”
 
 “What about Katie?”
 
 “She couldn’t find a sitter.”
 
 I would’ve offered to hang out with Owen if I didn’t already have plans.
 
 “Okay, well I gotta go. Behave yourself,” I mock, then walk to the car and load everything.
 
 By the time I park in Gemma’s driveway, I’m a ball of nerves. I shouldn’t be this damn anxious, but I am.
 
 Grabbing my stuff, I go to her door and knock. As I inhale a deep breath, she opens it and beams at me.
 
 “Wow,” I exhale and scan my eyes down her blue dress that coincidentally matches my shirt. “You look beautiful.”
 
 Breathtaking, actually.
 
 “Thank you.” She licks her lips and blushes. I love when her cheeks tint that shade of pink. “And you look quite handsome yourself.” Gemma steps back, allowing me to enter. “Did you get a haircut?”
 
 I chuckle as I head to the kitchen. “I did.”
 
 Then I tell her about the guy who recommended the place and fill her in on Everleigh’s shopping scheme as I unload the items.
 
 “I can’t believe you fell for that.” She laughs as she opens the bottle of wine I brought. Gemma pours it into two glasses, then hands one over.
 
 “She’s feistier than I remember,” I defend. “When I left, she was a sweet angel. You and Katie must be to blame.”
 
 “Trust me, she was anything butsweet. She was handing out condoms at a school fundraiser.”
 
 I take a sip of my drink and nearly choke. “Wait, what?”