“It smells amazing in here!” Nina cries out as she steps through the door.

“Thanks.” I grin, returning her hug. “I’ve managed to pretty much get it all done I think!”

“What are you making? It smells like chicken.” She’s sniffing the air as she throws her coat to one side and flicks her beautiful dark ringlets around.

Sometimes, I think she’s such a flirt that she flirts with me without even realizing she’s doing it. “Yep, chicken cacciatore with roasted rosemary potatoes.”

“Well, if that’s not the way to a man’s heart, then I don’t know what is!”

“This, maybe??” I say to her, opening a cake tin to reveal the last beautiful red velvet cupcake Mom’s special cream cheese frosting piped into careful swirls on top. It looks quite luscious if I say so myself. “This cupcake recipe has won awards.”

“Hmm…imagine how much better it would be with a bit of love potion in it.”

I shake my head decisively. “Nope.”

“Come on. Why won’t you give the Gypsy’s potion a chance?”

“Because I have principles, Nina. There is no way on earth I am tricking him in falling in love with me. I wouldn’t even have gone to the gypsy if I hadn’t been so drunk.” I take a deep breath. “Yup. Principles. That’s me.”

She sighs. “All right. It looks real pretty. Are you excited?”

“Excited but nervous… I’m worried we won’t have anything to talk about. What if we have nothing in common?”

“Just ask him questions about himself. Men always love talking about themselves.” She gives me a knowing look and smiles. “I hope he’s not into old tanks and guns though! I told big cock it’s not going to work, by the way.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. How do you feel?”

“I’m fine. I’m relieved actually. And I have a blind date tomorrow with a friend of a friend from work anyway! So onwards and upwards.”

This girl never ceases to amaze me. “It doesn’t take you long, does it!?”

“The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else!” she replies with a grin.

“Cheers to that,” I agree, and we clink our coffee mugs together.

“Did you wanna go out for brunch?” I ask her. “The other option is leftover Thai green curry from last night, and… you can help me figure out what to wear tonight!”

“Mmm…Thai green curry, yes please! And I know you’re gonna need my help dressing.” She eyes me up and down. “Please don’t tell me this is the kind of stuff you were wearing when you asked him out.

I look down at my patterned leggings, neon pink Nike’s, and oversized hoody. “Um, similar, I guess,” I tell her.

She tuts and shakes her head. “Take me to your wardrobe.” She holds out her hand for me to take, with a hint of seduction.

This girl just oozes sex appeal. I’ll take whatever help I can get. I take her hand, pull her up, and we head to my bedroom.

She pulls open the door of my wardrobe with a look as though a huge spider is going to crawl out of it. It’s not like she hasn’t seen the inside of my wardrobe a million times before! She fingers each item, making little disapproving noises and shaking her head. Finally, her fingertips make contact with something they approve of.

I groan as she shakes out a Jessica Rabbit style cocktail dress, an item I sadly bought and never wore. I feel like she probably knows how many times I’ve tried it on in my room alone, twirling in front of the mirror and wishing I had somewhere to wear it.

“Don’t be ridiculous, I’m not wearing that!”

“Oh, it would be marvelous! He would be knocked out! Can you imagine the look on his face when he opens the door and sees you standing there in that!?”

“He’ll think I’m ridiculous!”

There is no way I’m wearing that dress.

She stares at me with raised eyebrows.

“Nope. There is no way I’m wearing that,” I tell her, shaking my head. “It’s a casual cozy meal at home. We’re not going to a ball!”

Nina sighs heavily and shoves it back in.