Page 42 of Falling With You

“I mean, she’s not even wearing a bra,” Harmony said, clucking her tongue.

“Unless that’s what she wants because a no-bra thing could totally work,” Meadow said, and the three of them laughed.

I barely resisted the urge to cover myself, knowing that I was wearing a very thin t-shirt over no bra because it was right after work and I felt like being lazy.

“I’m going to repeat myself. What are you three doing here?”

“We’re here to help you get ready for your date, silly,” Violet set down her bag and then put her hands on her hips. “First, you’re going to have to take a shower. Then we’re going to go through what you’re going to wear and how you should do your hair and things. This is going to be fun, isn’t it? I love first dates.” She started clapping her hands, and then Harmony just laughed.

“No, you don’t. You like dating when it has to do with Cameron. You hated first dates. Do you remember how jittery you got with your first date with Cameron?”

“You want to talk about dating?” Violet said, leaning towards Harmony. “We can talk about all ofyourfirst dates.”

“We are not going to go through that list. My first dates with anyone other than Moyer or Brendon were horrendous.”

I just looked between them, blinking. The fact that they were all staring at me, talking about their best first dates and knowing I was about to go on a date with Aiden didn’t make any sense. This couldn’t be happening.

“Are you okay? We could leave,” Meadow said quickly.

“We will absolutely not leave,” Violet said. “We are here because we love you. And because this is a big deal, even though it’s not a big deal. We’re not going to make it a big deal, even though it might be a big deal.”

“I really don’t understand your logic right now,” I said, looking at all of them.

“You don’t have to understand our logic, you just have to get all ready and look pretty and have a wonderful time tonight.”

“This doesn’t make any sense. How are you even here? I didn’t tell you.”

“I know you didn’t tell us,” Harmony said. “And that hurts.” She put her hand over her heart and gave me a mock glare. “It truly hurts.”

“Oh, shut up.”

“Don’t tell her to shut up.” Violet raised her chin. “I know why you didn’t tell us. Because you think it’s weird. Because you don’t want to make it a thing. But, of course, it’s a thing. And hiding it doesn’t help anyone.”

I looked at my sister and then at my other two friends. “It’s a thing. Did Aiden tell you?” Would Aiden actually tell my sister that he was going on a date with me? That didn’t seem like it could happen, but considering that I was going on a date with Aiden, all other things seemed to be out of my hands and a little weird.

“No, Aiden told Cameron when Aiden asked for the night off, and I heard it from my boyfriend.”

“Do you have to say, ‘my boyfriend’ like you’re sing-songing it? Like you’re in a high school musical?” I asked, trying to get my thoughts in order.

“I will say ‘my boyfriend’ as much and however I want to. Because it’s kind of fun. And you are going on a date with your boyfriend.”

I held up my hands. “Aiden Connolly is not my boyfriend. It’s just a date. Just a dinner and a game between friends. And I’m really just going because he held a kitten hostage.”

The three of them looked at me, blinking.

“I’m going to need some more information about this kitten,” Meadow said softly.

“Well, we found a kitten. His name is Diego. He’s cute. But I couldn’t bring the little guy into my house because, you know, the clowder.”

“Yeah, four cats is already two cats too crazy.”

I flipped my sister off. “Oh? Are you going to tell the other two cats that they have to leave? Which two would you take from my home? I thought you were their Auntie Violet.”

“Oh, stop it. You know I love those cats like they are my actual nieces and nephews. I helped fill their stockings this Christmas. But that is beside the point. You can’t get a fifth cat. And adding a kitten to your house would just be too much.”

I threw out my hands. “I know. Hence why I told Aiden that if he couldn’t stay at the vet’s, he had to stay with Aiden. And Aiden got all grumpy like he usually does and growled at me. But then he got like this weird light in his eyes and said that he would totally take the kitten if and only if I went on a date with him. A kitten’s life was in the balance. I couldn’t just say no. That is why I’m going on a date with Aiden Connolly. To protect Diego. Nothing else.”

They just looked at me and then burst into laughter.