I promised to make dessert for my little get together with Lucas and his friends. I didn't want Joy and Owen to think that I was a show-off so I made a layered lemon cake. It was simple and I made it in a few minutes. I knew it tasted fine too. Nothing too special but nothing underwhelming either. While the cake was resting I started dressing up.

I had to remind myself not to exaggerate.

They weren't like the people I hung around with due to the life my parents gave me. They were grounded and much more themselves. I didn't have to wear a fancy dress or the latest designer jeans. Just something comfy. In the back of my mind, I knew Lucas preferred me like that. I grabbed an old pair of jeans. It still looked fine, a little faded but it fitted like a glove around my thighs and hips.

Hopefully, it would stir Lucas little.

To finish the outfit off I grabbed a pale pink sweater and shrugged it on. It was amazingly soft to the touch. I tucked the side of the sweater into my jeans, making it look casual but put together. I didn't want my hair to get in the way so I pulled it up in a messy bun.

I looked like a cupcake at this point.

And I loved it! There is nothing wrong with looking as cute as a unicorn princess. I did my makeup quickly, not even thinking about it. A light wash of sparkling eyeshadow. A layer of mascara which made my lashes pop but not so much as to it being in your face. A sweep of peach blush and of course a pink lip color which matched my sweater. I couldn't forget about the eyebrows, they framed my face and topped off the look.

Now I looked perfect.

Kind of. At perfect as you could look while looking like a cupcake. I felt anxious when I grabbed a weekend bag and packed it. There was no telling if I could actually stay the night or not. I packed the essentials an extra set of clothing. You never knew, maybe I'd forget how to eat and ruin my clothes. That could happen. I needed to be prepared. When the bag was packed with everything I needed I zipped it up and headed to the living room, dropping the weekend bag on the couch. It could keep my coat and small designer bag company.

So my bag was from a designer brand, it's not like they would notice.

I checked on the lemon cake in the kitchen. It looked good, ready to accompany to Lucas' apartment. Covering up the glass tray I took it with me to the living room and placed it on the coffee table. Owen would come to pick me up, he let me know he was on his way. I shrugged on my coat and ran to the bedroom to quickly spritz on some perfume and mentally prepared myself. Not once did I check my incoming emails, what I wasn't prepared for was facing reality when it came to Jacob.

The ride to Lucas apartment was oddly enough not awkward. Owen and I had lots of things in common when it came to music and not actually caring which song was in right now. We liked classical music. I never expected that of Owen. He looked like the kind of guy who played in a rock band, not caring about anything or anyone except himself. That was already not true since he cared a lot.

Owen was soft and cuddly.

We talked about books and movies. We arrived too soon at the apartment, it felt like only a few minutes had passed. I was sure Owen could become my friend, a true friend. If only things didn't get messed up after I told Lucas the truth tonight.

"You can leave the car now, you know."

Owen sounded amused. It had been staring into space while the guy left the car and grabbed my weekend bag. I felt embarrassed, I could carry my own bags. I hopped out of the car and reached for the bag but Owen held his hands up, chuckling at me.

"I got it." He then moved me aside gently and closed the door. He locked the car and took the lead, "This way, we need to take the elevator."

We were in the parking lot beneath the apartment building. It was deserted, the perfect place to commit a murder and get away with it. I gulped, confused as to why I suddenly started thinking about murders. I nearly walked into Owen, stopping myself before it actually happened. Getting lost in thought right now was not good or safe.

"You nervous?" Owen asked, "You've been out of it ever since I parked the car."

The truth was I was freaking nervous. I didn't want to do this but that would make me a coward. Something Jacob thought of me already due to all the fleeing I did. He thought I was some weak creature who he could mess around with. Right now I was that weak creature he could mess around with. A lot needed to change. Staring with Lucas. I had to move forward.

"A little bit."

Owen stepped to me and placed his hand on my shoulder, squeezing it tightly in reassurance, "Trust me, we aren't going to question you nor will we make fun of your relationship with Lucas. Joy and I are genuinely happy for you guys."

I knew they were I could tell. I didn't want to bring the mood down already so I smiled at him. The kind of smile I showed when I attended a social event together with the family. Not a lot of people could tell it wasn't coming from the heart. Owen and I were like soulmates when it came to like the same things and being on the same wavelength about a lot of things outside of complicated relationships. Sooner or later he'd be able to tell the difference.

"I'm being silly right now."

Owen turned his back to me and pushed the elevator button, "Just a little bit."

Honesty without holding back. I liked it. He spoke in a quiet and gentle tone, that made the blow just a little softer.

"So who cooked dinner?" I asked.

Owen glanced at me, "Take a guess."

I pursed my lips, thinking about it. I knew Lucas called me after a shift with his boss lady and always mentioned grabbing something to eat. He never mentioned cooking but that could be because he was tired. I knew mom was like that. After a tiring day at work, she didn't feel like cooking up a storm. Even the simple things were sometimes too much. But as I shared a look with Owen I knew the answer.

"Wait, so you cooked and picked me up?" I narrowed my eyes on him, "Are we dating?"

Owen chuckled, "I wouldn't share my girl." He stepped aside and gestured for me to get on the elevator before him, "But I gave Lucas the recipe, he wanted to cook you dinner."

Owen pressed to button to their floor. I stepped back, leaning against the wall mirror. Owen had his back to me, looking comfortable around me.

"I'm sure it will be fine."

Owen chuckled, "Let's hope. Cooking is not one of Lucas' good skills." He turned and pointed at the tray I was holding, "That might have to do for the night."

I stared at him, "No way, I don't think he'll mess it up that bad."

Owen's eyes glittered amusingly, "It's cute how much faith you have in him."

I could have faith in him because Lucas was a good guy. Even if he screwed up dinner he'd find a way to feed us. That was just in his nature.

"That look you gave me tells me you have faith in him too."

"Maybe."

When the elevator arrived at their floor Owen took the lead, guiding me to their apartment. I was mentally preparing myself. I couldn't ruin dinner, they were looking forward to it. Think happy thought. I smiled by the time we reached their apartment.

"Ready?" Owen asked quietly.

"Ready." I agreed.

Owen grabbed his keys and unlocked the door. A nice smell reached us, I think it was lasagne which Lucas made and it smelled good. That meant he didn't mess up. Owen smiled at me.

"I think he had a little help." He whispered.

"I heard you!"

Owen and I looked at Lucas who approached us. Joy trailing behind him. Owen and I had been talking quietly, it was scared us both that we were caught discussing Lucas' cooking skills. My green-eyed boyfriend didn't look upset though. He looked humored. He walked up to his friend and grabbed the bag Owen had been carrying for me. He then stepped to me and kissed me against the cheek.

"I'll put this in my room." He let me know quietly, "Make yourself at home. I'm sure Joy and Owen will help with that."

Joy walked past Lucas who was already on his way to put my bag away. Owen noticed what was going on and quickly reached for the glass tray. He muttered something about putting it in the kitchen. I barely had time to find my bearings when Joy wrapped her arms around me and pulled me in for a hug

I guess we were already at the hugging stage of our friendship.

I hugged her back unsure of how to handle this. Joy didn't let me question everything about life, pulling away, "Let me take your coat." She offered.

I shrugged it off and handed it to her. She put it away in the small closet in the hallway and then reached for my hand, holding tightly onto it and dragging me with her. So much was happening at once and I knew I just had to go with it. She released my hand when we entered the living room. It was modern looking. Decorated in black, white, grey and beige. The coffee table was made of glass. I knew that would be a pain. No doubt they had to clean it every day.

"Sit." She smiled at me, "What would you like to drink?"

"Tea?" I asked.

"Green tea or a fruity tea? Maybe just black tea?"

I laughed, not at how sweet she was being but at how in character she was as a barista. She knew, her eyes were glittering with amusement too.

"I'd love a fruity tea, what flavor do you have?"

She grinned, "Peach and blueberry. I recommend the peach tea, it's good. It's a white tea so it tastes more subtle but it still delicious. Fresh and sweet. Might go well with whatever you made for dessert."

She was a great host, so much energy radiating off her but in a good way. The positivity made me smile despite the hidden concerns I had.

"I'm not telling, it's a surprise."

Owen joined us, taking a seat next to me and reaching for the remote control. Lucas also walked in and threw a pillow at Owen's head. The man caught it easily, chuckling at Lucas who threw him a playful glare.

"Are you seriously going to finish your series right now?" He asked.

I turned to look at them, giving Joy the opportunity to leave so she could do her thing, "I don't mind. Go ahead."

Lucas walked up to me and sat down on the armrest beside me, "Don't encourage that." Lucas gestured to their flat screen.

Owen quickly looked up his show and continued it. I knew it, I started episode one because Nick recommended it to me. The best horror show in maybe months or even years.

"I'm sorry, but I really don't mind. It reminds me of Nick, he lives for movies and series. He goes through them like no other. He also gets me hooked on some shows." I smiled at Lucas who intently listened to me, "Like this one. But I'm only at episode two."

Owen looked at me, "You want to watch from episode two?" He paused the series, "Now I don't mind that."

Lucas sighed, rolling his eyes, "Great, now there are two of them."

Owen and I shared a little laugh, it was quietly creepy. We were really getting into this series. Joy joined us, holding a tray. She handed Lucas and Owen their coffee. She handed me my cup of peach tea which smelled like peach heaven. She squeezed in between Owen and me and focused on the screen.

"Oh, are you re-watching it?" She asked.

"I'm re-watching it with my dear friend, Nina Merigold."

Lucas snorted, "Don't pretend I didn't sit with you through this one."

I stared at Lucas, "You don't like this one?"

He met my gaze, brushing his knuckles over my cheek, "Is that going to be a deal breaker?" He asked I could tell he was joking, "I did like it but it's not that I'm obsessed with it."

He placed his arm around my shoulders and pulled me in, "We're having dinner after this episode." He warned no one in particular.

That meant he knew the people in this room could watch another two episode without even realizing it. I found my people. I also found the kind of people Nick wouldn't mind hanging around with. I hoped I wouldn't screw things up tonight.