He swallowed. “Because it’s for the Delta Gamma sorority house.”

Unable to keep the laughter from barreling out of my mouth, I pinched my lips together with my fingers.

“I’ve dug a deep hole here, Falyn. I need your help.”

“How am I going to help you? And since when does the UCCS sororities have houses?”

“It’s in Boulder,” he said, looking exhausted.

“You’re driving an hour and a half to Boulder every day for work? Why?”

“Because it’s half an hour from Denver, and I wanted to get a closer job for when we move. The opportunity came up, and I took it.”

I chuckled. “I bet you did.”

Kirby and I were close, but nothing I said would make her ignore the facts.

“It’s not funny, Falyn. It’s good money, but she’s not going to believe me. Please tell her. You know I love her. You know I wouldn’t cheat on her. She knows it, too. She’s just mad.”

“She also knows you lied.”

His shoulders sagged. “She’s going to dump me over something stupid.” He looked up at me with the most pitiful expression. “Please?”

“I’ll talk to her, but I’m not going to promise you anything.”

Gunnar nodded and stood before trudging to the door. He twisted the knob, opening the door just a few inches, before he turned to me. “I would never cheat on her, Falyn. She’s the only girl I’ve ever loved.”

“Now that, I believe.”

He opened the door the rest of the way, revealing a wet-faced Kirby standing in the hall, holding a bottle of wine.

Gunnar’s breath caught.

Kirby’s bottom lip quivered.

“I just … I didn’t know what else to do,” he said.

Kirby threw her arms around him, still holding the bottle. Gunnar lifted her off the floor to keep from bending so far down. He tightly held her, and she buried her face into the crook of his neck.

“You’re so dumb!”

“I know,” he said.

She leaned back to look him in the eyes and sniffed. “Don’t ever lie to me again.”

He shook his head. “I won’t. This scared me straight.”

She kissed his lips, holding the bottle out to me. “I brought this to share.”

I grabbed it from her. “You’re not old enough to drink.”

“I was upset. I snuck it from my mom’s cabinet.”

She looked at Gunnar, and they practically mauled each other again.

“Take it somewhere else.” I pushed Gunnar far enough into the hall, so I could shut the door.

I leaned against the side of the refrigerator and chuckled, looking down at the wine bottle in my hand. Even when they were annoying and dramatic, they were cute.

“Well,” I said to no one, “at least I’ll sleep well tonight.” I was alone. It was safe to enjoy a glass or two.