Page 25 of Why Not Us?

Ava looks at him, her eyes sparkling. Everyone waits for an explanation.

“That’s the day Ava and I started dating the first time,” he says.

I feel that twinge of jealousy again. Not because I want Derek, or even Spencer, but because of both of them and how they are with their partners. The way they look at them. They’re moving way faster than I would be comfortable, but when I see how happy they are with Ava and Lis, I want that in my life, too.

Spencer pulls out his phone. “It’s a Sunday,” he says. “And it’s available.”

“Are you sure?” Ava asks Derek softly.

“You don’t need to decide now,” Spencer says. “I’m blocking it off for you, either way.” He finishes and sets his phone down. “And since I worked at game night.” He takes a drink from his beer.

Everyone laughs. Then I gasp as I realize something. “Ava, your favourite colour is green, right?”

She nods. “Yes.”

“You could do a Christmas in July wedding!”

She laughs now. “That’s not a terrible idea. But enough about a wedding we’re not even planning yet. We have an announcement as well.”

“You’repregnant!” Lis says.

“No!” Ava responds, rolling her eyes and gesturing to her beer. “No one at this table is pregnant. Unless?” She glances at me and Vic.

“Don’t look at me,” Vic says. “I haven’t had sex with a man in over a year.”

Everyone turns to me next. “Neither have I,” I say.

“Adalie,” Derek says, sounding disappointed in me. “At least Vic has had sex with women in that time. Do you need me to be your wingman? I will be your wingman.”

“That’s not necessary. I’m fine.” I take a sip of my beer.

“You need to fuck Nate,” Lis says.

And I nearly spit out my beer as everyone laughs. I cough as I get myself under control.

“Wait, so what’s your news?” Lis asks, Derek and Ava.

“Lacey and I are selling our house,” Ava says. “We’ve decided to move in here this summer. It’ll be tight for a bit, but Lacey wants to move into the dorms at whatever university she goes to anyway, so it’ll only be for a year.”

Lacey is Ava’s sister, and they’ve lived in a huge house, just the two of them, since their parents died almost a decade ago. There’s a round of congratulations and the conversation continues. We play the game, then take a break to eat the Thai food that’s been delivered.

“How was your birthday dinner last night?” Spencer asks.

I grimace. “Awful. Elliot didn’t show up. He had afunctionto go to. The food was fine, but Mom made a What’s-the-Point cake because Calista is gluten-free, dairy free, and sugar free.”

“Oh dear,” Lis says. She’s the one who taught me the termWhat’s-the-Point cake. If you’re not going to have any of the good stuff, what’s even the point of it? She told me she knows some bakers who can do cakes and desserts like that well, but they’re rare. “Then it’s a good thing I brought this over earlier today.”

She points behind her where Ava is returning from the kitchen with a cake sporting a few candles.

Everyone singsHappy Birthday,and the cake is set in front of me. I blow out the candles and they cheer before Ava hands me a knife.

“Is this strawberry shortcake?” I ask.

“Of course it is,” Lis says, mock offended. “You think I forgot your favourite cake?”

My friends are the absolute best people in the world. Who needs a family who forgets your birthday when you have a group of friends as close as family who not only remembers the day, but also your favourite flavour of cake? I slice into it and hand it out, keeping a large piece for myself. Two pieces remain and Lis says I can take them home.

“If I take them home, I’ll eat them.”

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