“I knew it! That man is way too fine to be a bust!” Elsie forgets about the conspiratorial whispering we were doing and shouts. The couple sitting four tables away turns and stares at us with open curiosity.

I smile at them before narrowing my eyes on my oblivious best friend.

“Can you not?” I hiss beneath my breath. “People are staring now.”

“Well, let them stare, girl.” She’s still yelling. “You made out with Jasper freaking Williams! You’re the one who should be screaming from the mountaintops.”

“She’s not wrong.” Daisy cosigns and high-fives Elsie across the table.

Why, oh why did I introduce the two of them again?

“Are you two finished or would you like me to continue?” I try to sound snooty but suck at it.

“Hmmm . . .” Elsie cocks her head to the side and taps her chin with her pointer finger. “I guess I’ll let you finish.”

“Geez. Thanks, Kanye.” The sarcasm is heavy in my voice, and even though I know she doesn’t miss it, she def ignores it. “So now we kiss . . . a lot, which is fun. But we’re also going on our book dates.”

“Oh! This is what I’ve been dying to hear.” Daisy rests both of her elbows on the tabletop. “Where did you go?”

My stomach does its best Simone Biles impersonation as I recall the amazing dates we’ve been on. It’s like Jasper is singlehandedly changing my thoughts on dating. I’m certain no other person on this earth puts as much thought and care into planning a date. Nobody has ever made me feel so special and I’ve had to constantly remind myself that this isn’t a forever thing.

“The first date, he took me to see Red Autumn.” Even though it’s a hot, dry day in Denver, it doesn’t stop the shivers from racing down my spine as I remember the way he stood behind me with his arms wrapped tight around my waist, swaying with me as I belted out the lyrics to all my favorite songs. “Then he took me to the Renaissance Festival, which was so much fun that I can’t even tell you.”

The last time I went to the Renaissance Festival, I was like eight and Gran took me because my mom had to work an extra shift on the weekend. All I remembered was flower crowns and riding elephants—which I’m against now that I’m an informed adult. It was a fun day, but it has nothing on going as an adult, when you can indulge in booze, shout “Huzzah” at the top of your lungs, and the man on your arm looks as if he could play a prince in any production.

Also, the flower crown was still top-notch.

“Oh really?” Elsie asks. “I was thinking about taking the kids this year. Do you think the twins will like it?”