“Cut out this pity-party bullshit right the fuck now. You can do it too. You’re one of the smartest people I know, and you work your ass off, Gem. Not to brag or anything, but my launch party is going to kill it on social media, and you’re going to do the catering because the worst thing that can happen is you hate it and never want to do it again and so you don’t. And the best thing is everyone at the party wants to hire you to do their own party.” I pull her off the counter and drag her to the other side of the room, where I left my planning notebook, opening it to the party page. “Here’s your budget. I trust you to make it awesome, so I’ll send you the money and you can do whatever you want.”

She looks over my notes, her darting eyes doing nothing to hide her nerves. “What if I ruin your party?”

“You won’t. I know you. You won’t let yourself let me down.” I take her face in my hands and plant a loud kiss on her cheek. “We good?”

“I could do those bacon-wrapped scallops you love, if I can find a good deal.” She takes out her phone, snapping a picture of my notebook page. “And maybe some pot stickers.”

“Yes. Love it. Sounds amazing.” I turn toward the back. “Jack, you can come out now! Let’s get these paintings hung!”

He peeks his head out of the office, half a doughnut stuck in his mouth. “I’m actually going to wait for Nick before I hang anything. It’s much easier with a tall person to assist.”

“You rang?” Nick pushes open the door to the shop, holding it for Harley, who’s carrying a tray of coffees.

God, I love my friends.

Harley sets down the tray, then immediately moves along the counter to where Jack’s paintings are lying in wait. “Holy shit.” She turns to Jack, her mouth dropped open. “You painted these?”

Jack, who was in the middle of some secret-handshake bro dance with Nick, shoves his hands in his pockets. “Oh yeah. I did.”

“If you think those are good, get a load of this one.” I gesture for the three of them to come look at Bridge and Blooms.

There’s a solid minute of silence as they all take it in.

“What the fuck, bro?” Nick punches Jack in the shoulder, knocking him back a step. “Why didn’t you tell us you could do this?”

He shrugs, his cheeks reddening as he shrinks into himself. “I couldn’t really. Not for a long time anyway.”

They all three turn to stare at him, and he might as well be a turtle retreating into his shell.