“Yep.” Jill turned her attention to Carly. “I had just gotten through an excruciating lunch where I was forced to share a table with a stranger. So you can’t blame me for the bad mood.”

“Hey! Excruciating?” Reagan playfully slapped her arm.

Jill laughed and kissed Reagan’s cheek before she whispered, “I think it worked out pretty well for us.”

Reagan stared at Jill’s lips. “I’d say so.” She pressed her lips to Jill’s for a moment and sat back in her chair. Gwen and Carly were grinning, and Reagan could see the affection in their eyes. They like her. She felt a little giddy at the thought. She always imagined having a partner that could easily be friends with her friends. Tonight was the first step toward that.

“Who’s your boss?” Carly asked.

“Harrison Gibbons. He’s the VP of marketing. Do you know him?”

Carly groaned. “Unfortunately, yes. He’s one of those colleagues you mentioned. I don’t think he knows how to use a computer. Also, the first time I went to his office, he took one look at me and asked if ‘one of the boys’ could help him instead,” Carly said as she used air quotes. “He’s such a butt.”

Jill laughed into her drink, clearing her throat. “A butt?”

“Carly doesn’t cuss,” Gwen interjected.

“Got it. I haven’t, have I? I don’t want to offend you,” Jill said.

“You’re good. Doesn’t offend me. I just don’t do it,” Carly replied with a shrug.

“Makes sense. But to put it in your words, he is a butt. A major one. Hopefully, he’ll be retiring in the next year, and I want to take his place.”

“And you will,” Reagan said, brushing her fingers along Jill’s cheek. “I’ll be right back. Need to use the restroom.” As she slid off her stool, Jill held onto her hand until she couldn’t anymore. Reagan mouthed, “It’s okay,” as she walked away.

“So, what are your intentions with our best friend?” Gwen asked, sitting back in her seat and crossing her arms.

Well, shit. She’s going there, isn’t she?

Carly slapped Gwen’s arm. “Oh, my gosh. What are you gonna do next? Clean a gun in front of her? Make her fill out an application?”

“My dad gave Brett an application,” Gwen replied.

“Wait. Did he actually have to fill one out?”

“My dad gave him one the first time they met. Brett just stared at it and then me like a deer in headlights. Luckily, Dad said he was kidding and took Brett into the kitchen for a beer.” Gwen rolled her eyes. “So…” Gwen asked, raising her eyebrows.

Jill reached for her glass but realized it was empty. She looked longingly toward the hallway that led to the bathrooms. “Um, well…”