When Becca and I first decided to take the plunge into the dating scene, we also wrote each other up a Best-Friend-Approved Datemate Qualities list. I was super thorough with hers, making sure to include things like “must acknowledge that 1989 is a better album than Reputation” and “better not hog the popcorn on movie dates.” You know, the stuff that matters but might get overlooked in the heat of the moment. I just worry sometimes that she may have been a little lax with mine since she’s never taken that kind of stuff very seriously. We both swore we wouldn’t actually read them over until we’re certain we’ve found “the one,” and I’ve been trying to get Becca to spill for years now, but I’m a good friend who keeps my promises so the list she wrote for me is still tucked away in a shoebox under my bed.

Becca rolls her eyes. “Popping a K-Cup into a Keurig is not creativity.”

“It was a latte. It’s cute and it counts,” I say. “I think there’s a lot of potential there. I’d say we’re already deep into Step Two.”

“Excuse me?”

I roll my eyes. “My Twelve Steps to the Perfect Relationship? Step Two: The Hand of Destiny. It’s when Fate pushes you together despite reason. Do I need to make you a handout?”

“Okay, Noah, no more romance books for you.”

That’s kind of an overstatement since most of my romance experience comes from fan fiction and Wattpad, which Becca knows since she’s the one who got me into fan fiction in the first place. Really, most of my fandoms come from Becca. She’s just always been a lot better at screening media, and it’s more fun watching her critique whatever new show she’s watching while I hit on all the fictional characters than it is to sit in my room reading manga alone. Or, at least, it was back when we could still watch things in person.

“I don’t need them. I’ll be experiencing the romance on the books,” I say, which is kind of regrettable. “Anyway, how was your day with Dentist Darling?”

Becca rolls her eyes, but I can already see a flush creeping up her cheeks. “It was fine. My teeth were clean as usual.”

“Okay, but did you at least get her number?”

“No, I didn’t, because that would be weird, and I’d like to be able to go back to my dentist, thanks.”