I throw on my favourite black denim jeans, and a basic tee. I’m not a girlie girl and I’m secretly hoping Tanner turns up on his bike. It almost removes the expectation to dress up, even though that is probably just more pressure I’m putting on myself.

A quick pause in the music tells me I have a new text message. Picking up my phone I see a text from Jesse. If I know my best friend at all, he will be way more nervous than Sophie is. God knows why; he’s gorgeous, funny, kind and girls melt over him.

Jesse - I should bring Lou-loo, she’s a good distraction for awkward moments …

I can’t help but burst into laughter. I knew it. He’s shitting himself. Dialling his number, he picks up on the first ring and I’m still laughing.

“Why are you laughing, Kinsley?!” he demands. “This isn’t funny.”

“Bring Lou if it makes you feel better, we are only going to the farmers market, then having a picnic. Lots of people take their dogs to those places.”

I can hear the relief in his voice. “Thank god. Okay, I better get organised. Love ya.”

“Love you too, Jess.”

The minute I hang up, I jump at the sound of Tanner’s voice — “Not sure how I feel about that.”

Spinning around, I see him standing at the top of the stairs, leaning against the door frame, with his hands tucked into the front of his jeans. His body language tells me he is the furthest thing from concerned. He’s just teasing.

I saunter towards him. “Feeling threatened are we?”

A deep laugh erupts from Tanner, one that I have never heard before. He seems relaxed today, not as moody. “Nah, not threatened. You’ve already claimed me, remember? You are the one who set up this double date.”

Smug bastard. I pat his firm chest as I brush past him. He can sit with those thoughts, two can play this game. I do love Jesse, in a way that Tanner could never compete with, but he shouldn’t feel threatened.

Tanner follows me down stairs, giving my plaits a tug as he moves around me. “I like these.” He smirks.

“They’re just for whilst I have a helmet on,” I giggle. “I’ll take them out once we get there.” A familiar flush returns to my cheeks; my body is always reacting to him.

“With your rosy cheeks and these plaits, I might just start calling you Pippi.”

I knew he would have noticed the flushed look on my face, it’s become a common occurrence, along with the fluttering of butterflies in my stomach when he’s around. But come on, Pippi Longstocking? Seriously …

“C’mon Pip, I’ve got something for you,” Tanner says, with a wink.