Page 57 of Never Not Friends

I’m proud that, for once in my life, I stood my ground, said what I needed to say.

“I get it,” she reassures. “I totally get it.”

A wave of relief falls over me. “Really?”

“Of course.” She gives me a quick side hug. “You’re my best friend.”

I can’t believe how smooth that went. Maybe I should stand up for what I want more often.

And Vinny is definitely what I want.

Present Day

“Isn’t this fun?” Juliet slides into the booth next to me. Even though she’s so close, she has to practically yell so I can hear her over the thumping music.

“Yeah, it’s great!” I flash my best fake smile.

“See?” She looks across the table to Vinny. “I told you taking Emma to a club for her birthday was a great idea. Vinny said you’d hate it.” She lifts her chin with pride. “But I knew you needed to get out and have some fun.”

My eyes dart to Vinny. He’s biting back his smile, probably because he can read the misery written across my face.

When Juliet told me her plans to take me clubbing for the night, I tried to change her mind with a few subtle suggestions of other things we could do.

I don’t club or wear sparkly mini dresses.

But her mind was made up, and I knew it wasn’t worth trying to change it. Even if I came out and said, “No, I do not want to spend my birthday in a loud, sweaty club,” she still wouldn’t have listened.

I’ve tried before, and it hasn’t worked.

“Oh my gosh! Look at Nate and Hess.” Juliet points to the dance floor where Carly’s and Camila’s men are dancing in the middle of a circle. The spotlights shine on them, and the crowd claps and cheers as they goof off with each other to the beat of the song.

“Vinny, you should go out there!”

“No, thanks.” He sighs. “That looks miserable.”

“Bahhh!” Juliet groans, scooting out of the booth. “You’re no fun.” She bounces away to the dance floor, joining our friends, leaving the two of us alone.

“What about skydiving?” he asks over the music.

Lines form across my forehead. “What about it?”

“You’re turning twenty-seven. This is our skydiving birthday, remember?” His smile falls a little. “Or maybe you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

“I remember.” I hold his stare. “I just didn’t know you did.”

A small smile appears. “Of course I remember.”

My heart beats at full speed as we look at each other, memories of a first love long ago floating between us.

His brows lift. “So skydiving? How about next weekend?”

“Yeah, right,” I scoff. “Like Juliet would go do that right before her wedding.”

“Then Juliet doesn’t need to come. It was our plan anyway.” He shrugs.

Juliet always comes. She’s the crucial link to Vinny and me.

But lately, I’ve been spending more time alone with him than I have in years, and it’s honestly not that bad.