It’s so weird to think that if I’d come to college with Bryan, so many things would have been different, but the thing I’m the most thankful for is how close Adam and I are again.

Heath and I huddle under a blanket, eating and bumping shoulders occasionally since our hands are full.

“We should play sardines tonight,” Rhett says as he crumples his napkin and sets it in the middle of his plate.

“We’ve got an odd number without Taryn,” Adam says. “You guys play, I’ll hang back.”

“What, no way,” I protest. “We can have three on a team.”

“Mav needs two people to keep him in line anyway.” Rhett nudges him. “Who’s going with Adam?”

“Reagan,” I say too quickly, and my friend’s eyes get large as if she’s afraid I’m going to out her. “Mav helps cancel out some of Rhett’s hiding skills.”

It’s perfectly good logic and Adam nods. “Yeah, that makes sense. What do you say, Reagan?”

“Sure, I guess that’s okay,” she says, barely looking at him.

We head to campus. Heath and I are slower than the others, stopping to kiss every few steps and generally being the obnoxious happy couple.

“Who’s hiding tonight?” Dakota asks.

“Should be Rhett and Reagan, so let’s go with Adam and Reagan,” I say.

Everyone nods their agreement. Playing matchmaker is way too much fun.

“What’s the rule?” I ask Reagan and Adam.

They share a look as they try to decide.

“You pick,” Adam says to her.

“One person has to close their eyes and be led by their partner or partners,” she says the last part looking at our group of three.

“All right. Let’s do this.” Adam’s breath shows in the cold air, and he claps his hands together before he and Reagan head off to hide.

“I’ve got the time,” I call as we all settle in to wait. The ground is cold, so we stay standing and form a small circle sharing our body heat. Heath’s arms wrap around me from behind and I lean back into his chest.

“You two are annoyingly adorable,” Dakota says as Heath leans down to kiss my cheek.

While our friends make fun of us, good-naturedly of course, Heath keeps right on hugging me and I soak it up. Him, our friends, all of it.

“Don’t be jealous, Dakota,” Heath says, speaking near my ear. “You’ve got two. Ginny only gets one.”

Rhett and Maverick attack her from each side, hugging her tightly between them. She squeals and bats at their chests, but she’s laughing as they bounce up and down, jostling her around.

“Okay, okay.” She finally gets free. “Let’s go find Adam and Rea.”

“Close your eyes, Dakota. We’ll lead you,” Mav says.

“Not a chance.” She shakes her head, making her light red hair toss around her shoulders.