I barely roll my eyes before Izzy grabs my arms, pulling me upstairs. “Come on, I need you. The other girls are already getting on my nerves.”
I glance back just in time to see Jacob watching me—only to miss my step. My backpack slips from my shoulder, the zipper still undone, and everything spills across the shiny marble floor. Books, a journal, and—oh God, not my—
In an instant, he’s beside me, crouching to gather my things. “Nice yellow undies, Jenna,” he says, his lips twitching. “Didn’t peg you as a polka-dot kind of girl.”
Mortified, I snatch everything from his hands. “Geez, thanks. Real mature.”
His smile deepens. “First, I’m a very mature nineteen-year-old. Second, I don’t date Izzy’s friends. Third—”
“Jacob!” Izzy’s voice cuts through the tension as she bolts back down the stairs. “My brownies are burning!”
Jacob gets up laughing and spares me the rest of his explanation before disappearing after her. I stand there, clutching my underwear, looking around. Her house is insane. Abstract art that belongs in a museum, plush furniture that begs you to sit on it, and the chandelier that probably costs more than my mom’s car.
Izzy reappears moments later, holding a plate of burnt brownies.
“Seriously?” I nudge her. “Why have we been hanging out in my crappy apartment instead of this dream house?”
She chuckles, her hazel eyes lighting up. “Because I needed to know you weren’t hanging out with me only for my money. Consider this your prize for passing the friendship test.”
“Fair enough.” I can’t blame her for that. I pull her into a hug before devouring a brownie—then freeze. Shit. I forgot these arespecial.Last time I ate these, I ended up wearing my bra on my head and trying to make out with the fridge. I swallow the last bite and hope for the best.
We head to the living room, where fairy-lit teepees, matching silk robes, and trays of snacks wait. It’s something straight out of a magazine. Hanna, the loud and obnoxious one, is already sprawled across a recliner, mascara smudged, and hair a knotted mess. Autumn and Jaslene, Izzy’s cousins, are giggling over some inside joke. And Britt, with her stupid flawless skin and hair, could make even sweatpants look hot.
I wonder why Izzy even invited them. They aren’t close. Maybe just here for free snacks and drama.
“Truth or dare!” Hanna screams.
“I hooked up with Gerald in the drama club broom closet!” Jaslene shouts.
“I wanna have sex with your brother,” Britt gasps, slapping a hand over her mouth.
“Me too, me too!” Hanna chimes in, giggling.
Okay, this isn’t how Truth or Dare works. But I’m too high to care, sitting inside these fancy teepees, wearing these soft robes I could live in forever. The rest of the night is a blur of laughter and ridiculous confessions you’d only feel safe saying stoned. And for the first time, I feel like I really fit in. Not with all these girls—but with Izzy. With this city. It all just feels right.
I glance around, still in disbelief that I’m here. That I have a best friend. That maybe I won’t have to move again.
When I get married and have kids, I swear I’m never leaving my husband. Or Nashville.
The thought sobers me just as Izzy’s voice snaps me back. “Your turn, Jenna. Truth or dare?”
“I’ve never kissed a girl,” I blurt out.
Izzy doesn’t waste any time. She leans in and plants a kiss straight on my lips. “Now you have!”
The room erupts into cheers.
I laugh awkwardly. “Well, that settles it. Guess I’m not into women. Too bad. Life would be easier if I could just fall for women.”
“Lame! We need something juicier!” Hanna demands.
“Fine.” I raise my hands in surrender. “How about this? I’m cursed. Since I was nine, I’ve moved six times—three of those were my fault. I’ve broken the same arm twice, spilled literally every liquid imaginable on myself, and last week I almost burned down my kitchen. Oh, and in ninth grade, I walked around all day with toilet paper sticking out of my a—”
The room falls dead silent. The girls stop giggling. Their eyes are locked on something behind me. Britt licks her lips, and my stomach drops. I already know who I’ll find when I turn around.
Jacob.
Standing there in the doorway, arms crossed.
