I looked around the gallery as I walked through, checking, double checking, triple checking that everything was done. Once I was satisfied that it was, I did a mental tap dance, and a bit of a literal tap dance, then let out a squeal.

Finally, I’m ready.

“What’s going on in here?”

I whirled around, then gave a jump of delight, along with a little clap, when I saw Jasmine standing in the entrance.

“Jazzy!” I shouted, then rushed to give her a hug. “Why does it feel like I haven’t seen you in forever?”

“Uh, I just saw you at the hospital, and before that at Dillon’s wedding, and before that at the bar,” Jasmine said wryly. “I mean, I know that’s over the course of a few weeks, but considering you just moved here, and before that I was lucky to see you that much in one year, I’d say we aren’t doing too bad.”

“True,” I agreed, then hugged her again and said, “I just wish I saw you more.”

Jasmine chuckled.

“We’ll work it out. You’ve just been so busy with this place and that TV show you did. Is that over? And, I’ve been burning the midnight oil at work. Did you know Dillon wants me to go back to Boise again? Ugh, why isn’t it ever Paris?”

“You want to go to Paris, let’s plan a trip,” I suggested.

Jasmine pulled back and narrowed her eyes at me.

“What’s going on? Why are you so fluffy and happy?” she asked suspiciously.

I shrugged and answered, “Because I did finish that TV show, which was a pretty cool experience, and my gallery is finally ready for the grand opening on Friday. What’s not to be fluffy about?”

“Uh-uh,” Jasmine countered with a shake of her head. “There’s something else at work here…” She walked around me in a circle, looking me over from head to toe, then she snapped her fingers and guessed, “You’ve been laid.”

I giggle snorted and asked, “What? Why do you say that?”

“Cause, you’re all glowy and stuff, and like I said … fluffy. You’re not a fluffy person,” Jasmine said, her hands on her hips. “Who’s the guy?”

I sucked my lips between my teeth. My first instinct was not to tell her, but Jed and I had just agreed this morning to a public relationship, so I knew she’d find out sooner or later. Still, it was hard to admit after the last time we’d spoken about Jed, given my adamant denial about liking him.

So I replied vaguely, “My neighbor.”

“Your neighbor?” she asked, then gave me the evil eye and said, “You mean Jed? Stubbilicious Jed, your neighbor? The one you said you weren’t mooning over at the bar? That Jed?”

“That’s the one,” I replied softly. A little guilty.

Rather than breathing fire like I expected, Jasmine’s expression lightened and she clasped her hands together with glee.

“I knew it,” she said, and I rolled my eyes.

“Shhhh,” I said, pushing my hands down to mimic what I wanted her to do with her voice.

If there was one thing Jasmine loved, it was being right. And winning. And being nosy, loud, brash.

Sigh.

“I knew it that night, the way you were jealous of Becs hitting on him. Gosh, I love it when I’m right,” Jasmine said, ignoring me. “And, why are you shhhing me? We’re alone here, right? Who cares if I’m loud, or that you’re banging your sexy neighbor?”

“You have issues,” I said dryly.

“Yeah, that apparently I’m the only Lewis not getting laid in this town…”

“Oh, please, you can have any guy you want. All you have to do is crook your finger, and they’ll come running,” I said, then, feeling the need to tease her like she was teasing me, I added, “Especially Shane.”

Jasmine’s eyes narrowed again.

“I thought we’d agreed not to bring him up.”

“We also agreed not to bring up Jed, but look at you go.”

“It’s not the same and you know it. You just admitted to boinking Jed. I’m not doing anything with Shane.”

“Actually, I’m dating Jed, not just sleeping with him.”

Jasmine stopped and started at me, her eyes widening, then, to my surprise, they filled with tears.

“Hey,” I said, forgetting my teasing and taking her in my arms. “What’s with the tears? What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Jasmine said, but her voice caught. She took a deep breath and patted my back before pulling away and pacing. “It’s nothing, really, I’m happy for you. It’s great that you and Jed are dating … you deserve an awesome guy like that … it’s just, well, I’m the last man standing. Gabe, Reardon, and Dillon are all basically married with babies, and now, you’re in a relationship too … It’s just … I don’t know … I guess it’s glaringly obvious that I’m alone. No prospects … not even a booty call, let alone a man suited for marriage and babies.”

“Oh, Jaz, you’re not alone,” I argued. “And, honestly, this thing with Jed snuck up on me. Just a few weeks ago I was with you in that bar, and I had no prospects, no idea that I’d be falling for my neighbor in such a short amount of time.”

“You’re falling for him?” she asked, her green eyes filling again. “That’s amazing.”

I laughed and lifted my hands.

“I wasn’t expecting it, it just sort of happened, which means it’ll happen for you, too. Probably when you least expect it.”

“Well, I least expect it now, so … let me have him, universe,” Jasmine said with a chuckle, sounding more like herself.

“Hey, you’re coming Friday, right? I didn’t get your RSVP.”

“Yeah, of course, I’ll be here. Especially now … I need to see you and Jed in action, with my own two eyes.”

I rolled my eyes again.

“And, get some rest, okay? You look tired.”

“Gee, thanks,” I said sarcastically, even though I was tired.

“Must be all that boinking,” Jazzy said with a laugh.

Jerk.