Page 64 of Single All the Way

“Emerson!” Olivia called out from a corner between the dining area and kitchen.

I waved and headed that way, taking in the details of the former NFL player’s home as I went, finding it down-to-earth and homey. I wasn’t too surprised since I knew Max to be humble and unpretentious. Harper was one of the easiest people to like as well.

My pace quickened as I got closer to part of my girl tribe—Olivia, Chloe, and Maeve—particularly when I caught sight of three partially full wine bottles on the counter next to them.

“Hey, ladies,” I said when I reached them.

Chloe gave me a side hug, and Maeve squeezed my hand in greeting. Olivia plucked an unused wineglass from the kitchen counter and held it out to me.

“Red, white, or bubbly?” Maeve asked.

“Yes,” I said and laughed.

“If you don’t care, then you’re getting champagne. We’re celebrating how gorgeous you look with your sparkles,” Maeve said.

“Seriously hot,” Olivia said.

“You all look fantastic too,” I said as I held my glass up and Maeve filled it.

The girls raised their glasses for a toast, so I clinked with them and relaxed. These girlfriends made me feel better even without the alcohol.

The invitation had specified holiday casual, and the house was filled with cute dresses and sparkly, blinged-out black, gold, silver, and green. I’d decided on leather-like black pants and a glittery, golden tunic-style sweater. Festive but comfortable.

“There’s a table over there overflowing with finger foods,” Chloe said, pointing.

When I glanced in that direction, what caught my eye instead of the food was Ben. Just seeing him made my heart speed up.

“And more importantly, another one over there with sweets,” Olivia said, gesturing to a different side of the room.

I coached myself to turn my gaze from my hot roommate and keep up with the conversation.

“Half of them baked by Olivia herself,” Maeve said. “So you know they’re killer.”

“Aww, thanks. I’ve had a little practice.” Olivia had worked at the bakery since before I’d moved back to town.

“This was my priority,” I said, holding up my glass of champagne. “But sweets? A close second, especially if you brought chocolate cherry bombs.”

“Of course I did,” Olivia said.

“So tell us what’s up with Ben,” Chloe said, closing our circle even more tightly.

My brows popped upward, and I lifted my glass for another drink, this one less sip, more gulp.

“You could let her arrive for a minute first,” Olivia scolded, laughing. “But yes, we’re dying to know.”

“Why beat around the bush?” Chloe said, grinning. “We won’t have this corner to ourselves all night.”

“He and I arefriends,” I said, inspecting my short, gold-glittered nails as if they were the most interesting things ever. When I lifted my gaze, all three women were leaning forward as if I were about to impart the secret of life. I laughed and shook my head. “Surely there are more interesting topics?”

“Nope,” Olivia said.

“Uh-uh,” Maeve agreed.

“You two looked cute together when you came in the door,” Chloe added.

“Friends,” I said again, because that was the truth. Just maybe not the whole truth.

Maeve, who was on my left, leaned into my side and said, softly, thank God, “With bennies?”

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