Seeing Nico look at me the way that he did the second that I stepped outside of the fitting room was enough to make me spend all of my life savings on that dress. For most of my life, that's all that I wanted. For him to look at me the way that he did 20 minutes ago. And finally, I got to experience what it felt like. To be noticed by him. To feel wanted by him. Even though it was only for a short amount of time, it was worth it. Those 3 minutes were worth it.

Remi and I are grabbing a bubble tea when my phone lights up with a text message from Nico.

"You gonna get that?" Remi asks as she sips on her straw.

I look at the text and it reads: My house tomorrow. Jet skis. Remi's invited, too.

I begin to type out that I can't, not because I actually can't, but because I don't think that it's the wisest idea. Then I hear Remi mumble under her breath, "of course, you are."

I huff out of annoyance. I'm getting sick of her indirect jabs. "What's that supposed to mean?

"You're out right now. Enjoying a bubble tea with your bestie. Nico can wait."

"It's just a text, Rem."

"You're missing the point, B. You keep saying over and over again that you're sick of always running when Nico beckons. So, this time, don't run."

"He invited us to his beach tomorrow," I show her the text and say.

"Yeah, well, I don't care."

"Remi..."

"I'm sorry, B, but he's playing you like a violin. Don't think for a second that he's not loving the fact that you're in love with him. It gives him this power over you."

"Just so you know, I was planning on declining."

"Why?"

"Isn't that what you think I should do?"

"No, actually."

I'm so confused. Here she is preaching to me that I need to move on from Nico, and now that I'm admitting to turning down his invite, she's questioning me.

"Okay, now I'm confused."

"Let me ask you this, B. Do you want to go?"

"No," I lie...because of course I do.

She bats her eyelashes and presses her lips together. "You're lying. You want to go. So then let's go. Don't force yourself to do something that you don't want to do. It's not natural and it won't help you move on."

"But going there will help me move on?"

"Maybe. Maybe that's the problem. You're forcing yourself to feel certain emotions when it comes to Nico. Maybe it's time to accept them for what they're worth while allowing yourself to move on and meet someone new."

My fingers continue to hover over the keyboard of the screen when Remi takes it from my hold and begins to type. When she's done, I grab it from her grip to look down at what she sent Nico:

We'll be there.

***

I'm not mad at Remi, but I'm definitely not happy with her. I'd be more unhappy with her if she left me alone to go to Nico's house today, but seeing as though this is her fault, she has no choice but to accompany me.

It's not like I need the company...Nico's home is practically my own, but still. Cara will obviously be there with Nico, and I'm getting sick of their PDA.

Mom's taking us there because she's heading into town to meet Adam for drinks. I was so happy to hear that their last date went well, and she seems pretty excited to be going on another one.

I'm wearing a one-piece bathing suit underneath a white beach coverup. I slip my feet into my Birkenstocks and pull my hair into a pony, then make my way to the front door where mom's waiting.

"Is that a dress my daughter's wearing?" mom sarcastically asks when I come into view.

"I wouldn't necessarily call it a dress, but whatever floats your boat."

"You know that I'm just teasing, right, honey? You look beautiful in anything that you wear." She smiles at me and opens the door, letting me walk out first.

"Where's Grandma Ruby tonight?" I ask as we make our way to the car.

"She's meeting a friend for dinner, which happens to work out perfectly. This way I don't feel guilty for going on my date."

Mom unlocks the doors and we both get in. "Mom, believe me, Grandma Ruby would make plans with a stranger if it meant you going out with Adam."

"I don't know about that."

"She would and you know it."

We both strap our seatbelts on, and I lower the music.

"Is it really that hard to believe that I'm going out on a date?"

"Honestly...yes." I have to clarify when mom rolls her eyes. "It's not a bad thing. You just like your comfort zone. I mean, we all do."

"I do like my comfort zone. But I also enjoy spending time with Adam."

"He's nice, isn't he?"

"He is. He treats me...differently. Good different. The kind of different that I'm definitely not used to."

"You mean the kind of different that you deserve?"

Mom pulls up to a stop sign and uses that at her opportunity to look at me. "Yeah. Yeah, I guess so."

I can't help but naturally smile. "That's good, mom. That's really good. I just want you to be happy. You deserve nothing less than extraordinary."

***

"You owe me for this," were the first words out of Remi's mouth the second that mom dropped us at Nico's house.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the fact that you dragged me here against my will."

"Remi, don't be so dramatic," I tell her as we make our way to the backyard. Nico told us that he'd be outside barbecuing before jet-skiing.

"You wanna see dramatic? I'll show you dram-"

"Relax!" I tug her by the arm before she can actually do anything to embarrass me. "What else were you doing today?"

"Better things than watch you watch Nico with heart eyes."

"Let's not forget that it's your fault that we're even here."

When we make it to the backyard, I see Nico by the grill in black swim trunks and a backwards black hat. Nothing else. Brooks, on the other hand, is lounging back-flat on a chair with his sunglasses on.

"B?" Remi jerks my hand and pulls me in closer. "Where are the rest of the people?"

I look around, expecting to spot Cara, her friends, and some other guys, but no one else is here. It's just Nico and Brooks. And now, me and Remi.

"I don't know," I whisper.

"Well, who did Nico invite?"

"I don't know," I say again.

"Okay. Then let me rephrase the question...did he invite anyone else besides you and me?"

"Would you be mad if I said I don't know for a third time?"

"Geez, B," she complains, rubbing her cheek with her hand.

"Cara must be here somewhere," I look around and say. "Or maybe she's on her way."

"She better be," Remi hisses before Nico sees us.

"You made it!" he says with his arms open wide. "Took you long enough." He comes in to hug me first and I can smell his Giorgio Armani cologne. When my eyes open, I see the tattoo behind his ear.

He goes in to hug Remi next and she looks at me over his shoulder, whispering, "you owe me", as if I didn't hear her loud and clear the first time.

"Hey B!" Brooks shouts from afar. "Waddup, Remi?"

Remi and I both wave before I look back to Nico and ask, "Are we early?"

He looks at the Rolex on his wrist. "You're right on time, actually."

"Oh." I glance around the backyard, and Remi follows my motion. "Where's Cara?"

"She couldn't make it," is all Nico says. He doesn't elaborate.

So I'm thankful when Remi asks, "Is it just the four of us?"

"It's just the four of us," Nico confirms, and if I didn't know any better, I'd say that he seemed happy about that. He turns around and makes his way back to the grill, waving us in his direction with his hand. "This way."

We follow Nico, and I give Remi an innocent smile. "Sorry," I mouth. Remi finally exhales and rolls her shoulders back, indicating that she's accepting the situation that we're currently in.

"What can I get you guys to eat?" Nico asks.

"Depends," Remi answers. "Whatcha got?"

Nico points at the grill with the spatula in his hand. "Steak, burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob."

"This looks amazing," Remi says as she scans the grill. "Burger for me, please."

"Coming right up," Nico says. "Toppings?"

To the side of the grill, there's a tray of sliced up tomatoes, pickles, onions, sauerkraut, and condiments.

"Everything minus the kraut."

"And for you, BC? Burger, ketchup, double pickles, hold everything else?"

"That's right," I say, and Nico chuckles, evidently proud of himself for getting it right.

"Don't be shy, ladies. Have a seat," Nico says, nodding to the section where Brooks is sitting. "I'll be right there."

We turn away from Nico and make our way to the lounge chairs.

"Well...what are you thinking?" I skeptically ask Remi as she takes a bite of the burger.

"I'm thinking," she begins to say with her mouth full, "this is the best damn burger that I've ever eaten."