"You said what?!" Vanessa's mouth gaped.

I tossed a piece of popcorn into my mouth. "I said I'd go."

She shook her head. "You agreed to go on a double date with Grant and Trisha?" She shook me. "When will you learn?"

I laughed. "I know, I don't want to go. Grant said he wanted to meet him. After the royal fit I threw, I couldn't say no. Grant would have the whole town giving him a report on us."

Vanessa sighed. "I'm sorry girl, that's rough."

"Thanks. I guess Grant would've meet Liam eventually anyways."

"I'm sorrier you have to deal with Trisha than anything else." The sincerity in her voice made me smile.

I handed her the bowl of popcorn. It was our way of passing the mic. "How are things with you and Alec?"

She looked down. "We got into a huge argument yesterday."

I put my hand on her shoulder. "What happened?"

"He asked me out." She said angrily.

My eyes enlarged. "He asked you out?"

She stuffed a handful of popcorn into her mouth. "Yeah, can you believe it? After everything we talked about. We agreed we wouldn't do that."

I felt bad for Vanessa. I had no idea what I'd do if Grant had asked me out after we kissed.

"What'd you say?"

Vanessa shrugged. "I said no. I had to. He got upset, saying he doesn't understand why I care so much. It got pretty ugly."

I pulled her into a hug. "I'm so sorry V. I can't imagine how hard that was for you."

"I'm not going to cry anymore." She whispered to me.

"I'll get you some cucumbers and a face mask. You turn on the angry breakup playlist." I got up.

She smiled. "You're seriously the best."

"I'm okay." I said, heading down the hall.

Vanessa and I spent the entire afternoon dancing around her room, treating ourselves. I was so grateful to have someone like Vanessa. Someone who understands me, who was always there for me, someone that enjoys a lot of the same things I do. I ended up spending the night at her house.

I woke up the next morning with half a face mask on and my hair French-braided. Vanessa was lying beside me with her hand in the popcorn bowl.

"Good morning." I yawned.

Her eyes slowly opened. "Morning." She said, removing her hand.

I sat up and stretched out my arms. "How'd you sleep?"

She shrugged. "I think good." She lifted her phone and saw her reflection. "Wow, I'm a mess!"

I laughed. "We both are. You wear it well though."

"Thanks! I hope so because I don't think I'm going to get it together anytime soon." She put her phone down.

I threw myself dramatically back on the bed. "I don't want to do this. Can't you go for me?"

Vanessa shook her head. "Absolutely not. Think of it this way, at least you'll have one heck of a story to tell."

"That's true."

Vanessa sighed and sat up. "So, what are you going to wear?"

It wasn't like me not to have my look planned out but picking out an outfit made it real. "I'm not sure. I haven't really thought about it."

"Here, you can borrow something of mine. I'll help you get ready." She moved to her closet and began her search.

"Did I ever tell you I love you?" I joined her.

"Not enough." She laughed. "Love you too Zeph."

I ended up in a tight green dress that had a slit on the left side and loose curls.

Vanessa's squealed when I emerged from the bathroom. "Oh my gosh, you look so hot!"

I blushed. "Really? Thanks!"

Vanessa shook her head. "Those poor men."

"Thank you so much." I said, placing my hands on her shoulders. "For everything."

She pulled me into an embrace. "You would've done the same for me." She released me. "Now, go get 'em tiger."

I listened to the radio on the way to the restaurant we agreed to meet at. It was a fancy restaurant; I'd only been to a handful of times. I hoped that the music would distract me, but all I heard were unfamiliar songs. I showed up, feeling jittery. I texted Grant and let him know I was here. He told me to come in and ask for the table under the name Goldsworthy. My heart jumped when I saw Grant and Liam sitting at the table across from each other, alone.

I approached with caution. "Hey guys!"

Liam and Grant both jumped up, simultaneously pulling out the chair beside them. I stood back, my nerves soaring.

Grant chuckled when he picked up on what was going on. "Right, you should sit there." He pushed the chair back in slow motion.

The look on Grant's face made my heart sink. I wanted desperately to go over and sit by Grant, but I knew how Liam would take it. With good reason too, I should choose to sit by my date.

I sat down by Liam. "Thanks."

Liam nodded. "No problem."

"So what were you guys talking about?" I looked from Liam to Grant nervously.

Grant smirked. "You."

His comment did nothing to calm my nerves. "What about me?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." Grant teased.

"Grant." I pleaded.

Liam opened his mouth to speak. Our waitress walked over, cutting him off. She looked to be in her mid-forties. She was short with shoulder length brown hair. We ordered our drinks.

I had a nagging feeling something was missing. It was awhile before I realized why.

"Where's Trisha?" I said, doing my best to sound casual.

Grant shrugged. "Something came up last minute."

My intuition was screaming something was wrong. I reasoned with myself, it could just be the past that's making me feel like this, or jealousy. The nagging feeling stayed strong.

I sipped on my drink. "That's too bad. Maybe next time."

Grant nodded. "Yep."

"I hear a lot about this Trisha, a little disappointed I don't get to finally meet her." Liam spoke up.

Grant directed his attention to Liam. "She's kind of wild, but she's cool."

Hearing the two of them discuss Trisha frustrated me. I didn't think she deserved any recognition. Besides her looks, there was nothing great about her. She was a cheating, lying, envious child as far as I saw it.

"So, what's everyone ordering?" I said, changing the subject.

Grant chuckled. "I don't know. I like to surprise myself. I never know what I'm ordering until the waitress is in front of us, asking."

Liam lifted the menu to his face. "I can't decide between the breaded and fried chicken."

"Oh Liam." Grant smiled and shook his head.

I smiled. "I think either one will be good."

Liam was still concentrated on his menu. "I think I'm going to go with breaded, fried is so unhealthy."

Grant covered his mouth with his hand. I could tell he was trying hard not to laugh.

Liam stood up. "I'll be right back." He headed towards the restroom.

I let out a deep breath and looked at Grant. "So, what do you think about Liam?"

"Wow, I should've seen that question coming." He sighed. "He's a nice guy, but I still think you're too smart for him."

It was the best I was going to get with Grant. "I'm not, but I'm glad you think he's nice."

"Rinnie, fried or breaded?"

I shrugged. "It's an easy mistake to make. It can be confusing."

Grant shook his head. "For Liam and Liam only."

Liam cleared his throat. I hadn't even noticed he was behind me. I wondered how long he'd been standing there.

"You're back." I smiled up at Liam.

Liam sat down. "I'm back."

Grant smiled deviously. "Let's make this fun."

Liam and I exchanged glances. "How?" Liam asked.

Grant began laughing loudly. People began staring, in shock.

"Grant, what are you doing?" I whispered-yelled at him.

"Oh, you cheeky, cheeky girl." Grant spoke in British accent.

I shook my head. "You're the cheeky one mister."

Grant threw his hands in the air. "The bloody biscuits are missing! We had some just a moment ago." We'd never had any biscuits. Grant began frantically searching for his imaginary biscuits.

The waitress caught on to this and hurriedly brought us biscuits to quiet Grant.

"Awe how lovely! Thank you mate." Grant exclaimed. Throughout diner Grant was three different people with three different accents. Liam and I were laughing the whole time.