“Just go without me,” I said. The truth was I wouldn’t have wanted to go even if Jack and I didn’t have plans. Part of me was still afraid she’d change her mind on pranking Christian, get the others worked up and make it hard for me to say no.

“We need you,” she said. “I mean, how can we have a Justice League without Wonder Woman?”

I smiled, shaking my head at her ridiculousness. “I’m sure you’ll figure something out. You can tell me all about it after.”

Another pause.

“When are you leaving?” she asked.

I looked at the time. “I don’t know, half an hour?”

“I’ll drive you,” she said. “I’m on my way over anyway.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I said, but she’d already hung up. I tried to text her but she didn’t respond.

Elise showed up twenty minutes later, parking right in the driveway, taking Christian’s spot.

“What happened to avoiding Christian?” I asked.

She shrugged. “Fuck him. Why should I be the one who has to suffer because he’s the asshole?” And just like that, she was over him, or at least she seemed like it.

“I guess.” I glanced out onto the street, hoping Christian would stay wherever he was, not wanting to deal with a potentially explosive fight.

She changed the subject. “Is that what you’re wearing?” I’d decided to go with jeans and a black top, red heels and matching wristlet.

I nodded. “Why?”

“Nothing. You look nice,” she said with a soft smile.

“Thanks,” I said, smiling back, my excitement growing.

“Where are you guys going?” she asked, flopping down on my bed on top the clothes I’d rejected.

“The Good Place.” It was a diner with an old-fashioned jukebox, red leather booths, and a vintage Coke refrigerator with a clicking handle.

“So, fancy Waffle House,” she said with a laugh.

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” I said, grinning.

“Come on,” she said. “Let’s go before you’re late.”

“You really don’t have to,” I said, still confused about why she wanted to drive me and worried what Jack would think. Would it look like I already wanted him to meet my friends? Or worse, that Elise was there to give her approval?

“I have nothing else to do, and besides, you’ll be able to leave with Jack after without dealing with your car.” She looped my arm with hers. “And I’ll get to meet him.”

“I guess.” She was so insistent that I gave in. I decided to tell Jack I’d needed a ride and that was why Elise drove me.

We arrived a little early and were sitting on top of the Pink Caddy’s trunk when Jack showed up.

“Cute,” Elise whispered to me when he pulled off his helmet, and I bumped her with my shoulder.

Jack walked up to us, smiling, but I could see he was confused. “Hey,” he said, keeping some distance between us, a little shy.

“Hey,” I said, giving him a hug. “This is my friend Elise. She drove me.”