Page 66 of Can't Kiss the Chef

“It’s okay, Pips. Let me know if I can help you with the bruises later.”

I swat his hand away with a stern look. All seriousness is lost when Byron wiggles his eyebrows. I burst into laughter.

It feels like we have finally found our footing. We can be what we were before feelings complicated it. I get my friend back, my drinking buddy, a person I have always trusted with my secrets.

“So I talked to my mom for the first time in three weeks. She and my dad are going to Yellowstone for the long weekend.”

“Did you talk about anything else?” His voice is soft. Any playfulness that was in the car just evaporated.

“Well, I told them that I started the culinary school application,” I pause, “They actually seemed to be happy for me. Then asked me how I’m going to be able to afford Cookie when I’m done.”

Byron’s eyes grow until it looks like they take up nearly half his face. “Damn, that’s harsh.”

“I mean, that was my first reaction to–it always is with my parents–but then I thought about it, and they’re right,” I say with a shrug.

It normally takes Ivy and Indy hounding me to share the newest Adam’s family drama. I just want to share it with Byron. I don’t wait until the emotions are overflowing. He has this look, and it’s like a potion that has me sharing all my feelings.

To think I started this thing with him to have a little fun.

“You’ll figure it out. I have faith in you.”

A few minutes later, we pull into the shelter and I jump out before Byron can put the car in park. Ivy was one of the first people I met when I got to campus freshman year and this is the longest we’ve gone without seeing each other.

“Ivy!!” I scream her name and she only has a split second to realize what’s happening before I jump into her arms.

I latch on, and I don’t let her go. It sucks not being in the same city anymore.

“Hey, Pips, did you miss me?” her voice is dripping with sarcasm.

“More than you’ll ever know.”

She places me back on the ground, and I get a good look at her. The city seems to be treating her well. For someone in her first year of vet school, she looks well-rested, and her skin is glowing. I’m jealous.

Byron and Jalen make their way toward us from the driver-side of the cars.

“Did you tell her?” Jalen asks his girlfriend. A smile slowly crawling onto his face.

“Not yet,” she grumbles. It’s a faux annoyance as she swats him with her left hand.

The sun hits something. Light ricochets off the largest diamond I’ve ever seen.

My mouth drops. I stutter, unable to form a single word, let alone a question.

“We’re engaged!” Jalen and Ivy say in unison.

My black heart brightens–just a smidge–as I rope my friends into a hug.

“Are you serious? When did it happen? How did he propose?” I rattle off the questions without catching a breath.

“It was perfect. I was sitting on the couch after my first test last week. Jalen promised we could spend the weekend watching all our favorite musicals. He comes over with a big bowl of popcorn, hiding a tiny box. The rest is history.”

“Wait, you waited a whole week to tell me.” The shield I keep around my heart slides back into place.

“We decided to wait, knowing we were going to see y’all this weekend,” Jalen says as he looks between Byron and me. “We are having an engagement party the week before Halloween and we know it’s the week after midterms, so there is no game and Coach will give you all the weekend off, and I expect you to be there.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world! I can’t beli—” I’m interrupted by loud yips and Mia dragging Byron toward the back of the shelter where the dogs were just rounded up for a walk.

“Why don’t you guys take the dogs for a walk,” Ivy suggests, handing Riley’s leash to her fiance. “I want to go see the inside of the shelter.”

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