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I picked up my menu and hid behind it, not ready to tell her yet that we’d leveled up from kissing. “I can’t believe I let you talk in me into going to see that. We both know how much I suck at scary movies.”

“It was surprisingly easy to talk you into it this time,” she said, picking up her own menu but barely glancing at it before setting it down again. “In fact, it was almost like your head wasn’t in the game. So pray tell, dear friend. What was keeping that beautiful mind so busy that I managed to coax you into a theater showing a horror film with barely a squeak of protest?”

“There was a squeak. There were many squeaks, actually. You just couldn’t hear them over the sound of your own enthusiasm.”

She laughed. “That might’ve been part of it, but your head has been in the clouds all night. Could it be that our resident Grumpy Bear has been growing on you?”

Thankfully, the waitress arrived at our table, saving me from having to give an immediate answer. We ordered sodas and way too much food, but even after she grinned and left again, I still didn’t really know what to say.

“Well?” Tasha prompted. “It is Holden. Isn’t it? You’re falling for your husband.”

My face burst into flame, but I shrugged instead of even trying to deny it. “Let’s just say that he’s making me happy and leave it at that.”

She gave me a triumphant grin, but the expression on her face softened as she reached across the table and took my hand. “Good. I’m glad. You deserve to be happy, Alicia. Seriously. I’m so, so happy for you.”

I glanced at her fingers wrapped warmly around my own. “Is that why you’re holding on to me?”

“No, I’m doing that because I’m also moving out.”

“What?” I yanked my palm out from underneath hers and widened my eyes. “Why? If it’s because of Holden, I’ll tell him to stop dropping hints and⁠—”

“No, Alicia. It’s not that. Well, I mean, it is, but he’s right,” she said gently. “You just got married a few weeks ago. Both of you are still trying to get your heads wrapped around it and to get to know each other. I doubt either of you really wants a roommate around.”

“That’s no reason for you to move out.”

“Yes, it is.” She paused when the waitress came to drop off our drinks, then smiled once we were alone again. “I know your relationship has had everything but a normal progression until now, but you guys should get to be normal newlyweds. When you’re ready for that, I mean. You should have the space to get to know each other on your own time and to spend lazy weekends on the couch, just the two of you. Hell, you should get to drink too much wine and dance naked on the kitchen counters if that’s what you want.”

I scoffed. “That’s not happening.”

“It should.” She sighed as she picked up her drink. “In the meantime, my mom lives ten minutes away and I’m going to live with her until graduation.”

“I don’t…” I trailed off, my chest constricting as I stared back at her. “Are you sure? At least wait until you’ve graduated. There’s no rush.”

“Yes, there is,” she said quietly. “I got an internship in Atlanta, and if I don’t embarrass myself during the time I’m at the company, I’ll probably be moving there anyway.”

“You got an internship in Atlanta,” I said slowly. “Really?”

“Really?”

Despite the ache in my chest, I grinned, genuine excitement welling up deep down inside. “Oh my God, you got the internship in Atlanta and you didn’t tell me?”

“Yes.”

I reached across the table and grabbed her hand this time. “I’m so proud of you. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was waiting for the right time.”

“There is no right time to tell someone you’re abandoning them, but if you’re going to be abandoning me for anything, it should be this. God, I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you,” she said quietly, twisting her fingers around mine and giving them a gentle squeeze. “I’m not abandoning you, though. You have a hot, virile, young husband who’ll make you forget I was ever even there.”

I rolled my eyes at her, blinking back the tears I felt welling in them. “That’s not possible. It doesn’t matter how hot he is. He’ll never make me forget about you.”

She let out a soft, emotional laugh. “At least you’re admitting that he’s hot. That’s a step in the right direction.”

“But seriously,” I said, tightening my grip on her hand. “You have to call me every night.”

“Every night,” she promised. “Once I get to Atlanta, which isn’t happening today, by the way. I just wanted to tell you so you’d have some notice.”