“It’s Penelope,” I explained. “She just had this really horrible Tinder date, so I have to be here for her.”

“Here being…”

“My place,” I admitted.

“Hm.” He paused as a text came through my phone. It was Owen – We’d love to see you tonight. “Is that an invitation?” Jake asked boldly.

Putting the phone face-down on my knee, I turned Penelope’s way. “It’s the twins. Is it ok if…”

She waved her hand, cozying up deeper into the couch. “As long as they bring food they’re welcome.”

I sighed with relief. Truthfully, I could use the backup. Normally, I was up for however much comforting Penelope needed, but this time, low on sleep from the past few action-packed nights, I just didn’t have the stamina.

Back on the phone, I said, “It’s a maybe. As long as you two understand that I have to comfort my friend.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Jake said. “We’ll bring some food and drinks, and – hang on, how did you know Owen was here with me?”

“He’s texting me.”

“Bastard.” A pause. “So that’s a yes then?”

“That’s a see you later,” I said, hanging up.

Once I hung up, I could feel Penelope’s lightly mocking eyes on me. “You are going to have one good night, Cinny.”

“We are going to have a good night,” I corrected her. “They’re food and drinks and…”

I trailed off as Penelope spread herself onto the couch, her eyes fluttering closed. “Totally. I’ll just rest until they get here.”

By the time the twins arrived, Penelope was fast asleep, while I’d had a bit more wine in a misguided attempt to calm my nerves.

Opening the door and seeing them there, side by side, the two sexy, smiling men I couldn’t seem to get enough of, I could only smile woozily.

“Happy to see us?” Jake said, leaning in for a cheek kiss.

“Hey,” Owen said, wrapping me in a bear hug. The touch of his hand sent tingles down my spine.

“What,” Jake was saying, further inside. “The guest of honor is out cold?”

“She’s had a rough day,” I said. “Her date ended up walking out in the middle.”

“Ah.”

“Because his ex-called him up,” I continued.

“Oh damn,” Jake said. “That definitely calls for drinks.” His gaze stopped on the mostly-finished wine bottle then went to me with understanding. “Looks like you ladies are already on it.”

I felt like a minnow before a shark as he gazed down at me, barely concealed hunger in his eyes.

“Yeah, well we were already on it before you called,” I said.

Owen unloaded the food and a six-pack in the fridge and came to stand next to me.

We looked down at a sleeping Penelope and laughed.

“Poor thing,” Owen said.

“Yeah,” Jake agreed.

Not knowing what else to do, I walked over to the loveseat across from where Penelope was softly snoring.

“We could watch a movie,” Jake suggested, sitting beside me.

“Ok,” I said, and he reached over to power up the TV.

There was a bit of argument over which Netflix movie to choose, but we all agreed on The Shining and settled in. Both Jake and Owen’s legs were touching mine on either side and the wine had reduced my mind to one fuzzy, throbbing want to touch them and for them to touch me.

And then Jake’s arm settled around my shoulders. I glanced at Owen.