Page 62 of Never Not Friends

Vinny’s fingers flex once against my side.

“And what about you?” Carly leans forward. “Do you drive Uber full-time?”

“No. Mostly just weekends. I’m paying off medical school. I’m in my second year of residency.”

Juliet’s head whips to him. “Handsome and a doctor? Are you single?”

“I am.” His eyes dart to me.

Vinny’s knee moves. My entire body moves with it. I catch myself against the seat in front of us.

“Sorry,” he murmurs near my ear, sending a whole lotta chills down my neck and arm.

“It’s okay.” I turn, and his face is right there—so close I can see the tiny crease between his eyebrows.

And he’s not smiling anymore.

Our eyes hold.

Something strange passes through his expression.

Something I can’t name.

“Well, you are in luck,” Juliet gushes, “because our birthday girl, Emma, is also single.”

“A beautiful woman like you? That’s surprising.”

Heat creeps up my neck. And beneath me, Vinny goes completely still.

Not regular still.

More like rigid.

I glance to the side. His jaw is tight. His gaze is fixed out the window.

My heart gives one dangerous kick of satisfaction.

“Here we are.” His car pulls up to the curb outside of Juliet’s condo, where all our cars are parked.

I immediately open the door and scramble out of the vehicle. But so does the driver. By the time I’m on the sidewalk, he’s jogged around the car and is in front of me.

“I’m Shane, by the way.” He holds out his hand.

There’s nothing to do but slip my fingers into his. “Emma.”

He flashes me a very charming smile. “Could I possibly, potentially, get your number?”

Juliet whispers beside me, “Yes, you definitely could.”

I smile despite myself. Then, for reasons I don’t understand, I look beyond Shane to Vinny. He’s standing several feet behind everyone. Hands in his pockets. No smile. No teasing expression. No nonchalance from before.

And for the first time since ninth grade, I wonder what Vinny would do if he actually had some competition for my heart. I say that while also knowing he’s not actually competing for my heart.

“Yeah, you can have my number.” I hold out my hand to Shane, the Uber driver. “Give me your phone.”

And behind him, Vinny’s head drops.

We say goodbye to Shane and walk together toward the condo.