Page 84 of Never Not Friends

She grabs my hand then knocks on the door with her other hand. A few seconds later, it swings open, and Shane stands on the other side.

And it’s like somebody whacked me in the chest.

Why is he answering Hess and Camila’s door like he owns the place?

“Hey!” Shane grins, stepping back to let us inside. “You made it.”

I stare at him as Juliet tugs me forward.

It didn’t even occur to me that he’d be here. Emma never brings a plus-one to these things.

“Vinny, right?” His hand shoots out in front of me.

“Right.” I nod, giving it a firm shake.

“Shane.” He points to himself.

“I remember.”

Juliet forces his hand into a handshake. “We’re so excited you’re here with Emma.”

Are we?

Because I’m pretty sure what I’m feeling wouldn’t be labeled as excitement.

“Me too.” His smile pushes wider, revealing even more straight white teeth. Like, does he have extra teeth? More than the regular twenty-eight?

“Come on. Everyone’s out back on the patio.”

We follow him like we’re the ones who are new here, not him. Outside, Hess stands in front of the grill with Nate close by, a drink in his hand. Blair sits on the counter, despite the table, chairs, and full set of pool loungers. Emma, Carly, and Camila stand around her, chatting.

“Hey!” Hess raises his spatula to us. “Welcome.”

“Sorry we’re late. Wedding errands,” Juliet says as she meanders toward the women.

Shane walks to Emma, squeezes her shoulder once, then leans in to say something close to her ear, making her laugh.

Oh.

He made her laugh.

Which is great. Totally great.

I just didn’t think I would witness it firsthand.

“Vinny,” Nate calls. “How do you like your burger?”

It’s then I realize I’ve just been standing there, in no man’s land, watching Shane and Emma.

I head to the grill. “Uh, medium well.”

“I’m putting pineapple on mine.” Hess tosses a few pieces of the fruit on the grill. “Do you want some too?”

“Sure.”

“Is there enough pineapple for me and Emma to have some on our burgers too?” Shane asks, appearing beside me.

My lips push into a satisfied smile. Emma’s not an ingredient type of person. She won’t want the pineapple. But how would Shane know that? This is, like, their second date.