Jensen just stared back at him. “Okay? Why is this hard?”

“Because you’re not moving with us.”

He rolled his eyes. “Jo, we haven’t lived together for six months since you moved in with Brie.”

“I know, but we were across the hall.”

Jensen laughed. “I’ll be fine without you guys—”

“Now, I know this comes as a shock, but we’re having a baby, and we need space for us and the baby.”

“I know—”

“Now, Jenny, I know this is going to be difficult, putting space between us—”

“You know we lived apart for years, right?”

But Vaughn went on. “Just know I will always and forever love you as my brother, and nothing will change. Not the space, the new ball and chain, or the baby.”

“Are you done?”

Brie apparently thought this was hilarious since she was basically choking she was laughing so hard. Which wasn’t anything new. Vaughn might be an idiot, but he was a funny one. As always, Vaughn was unaffected as he said, “We’ll never be done, Jenny, never.”

“Okay,” Jensen said, rolling his eyes again. “Listen, this is awesome. I’m happy for you guys, and let me know when we need to start moving stuff.”

“You’re such a good man,” Vaughn proclaimed before clapping his hands together. “This weekend good for you?”

Laughing, he just shook his head at Vaughn’s antics. “Yeah, man.”

“Thanks, Jensen.”

He smiled over at Brie. “Anytime.”

Rolling his eyes, he went back to eating as a grin played on his lips. He wanted nothing more than for his friend to grow and be in love. Brie was that for Vaughn. They were moving and having a kid, and it was great. Vaughn needed that. So did Wells, who was getting married the following month. Both his best friends were living life, happily and to its fullest. Meanwhile, Jensen was stuck.

He didn’t know how it happened, or even why, but it had. He wasn’t interested in anyone he met, and he didn’t just want to fuck around. He wanted someone to love him for him. The quiet, weird guy in the corner. The one who would lay down his life for anyone he loved. He had redeemable qualities, but for some reason, no one wanted them. They just wanted to have sex.

He didn’t want Netflix and chill; he wanted Netflix and breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and more.

Hmm, he should  that.

Taking a huge bite of his chicken, he felt his phone start to vibrate. He pulled it out, seeing that it was a text from Wren, as he chewed. Like always when she texted him, his heart sped up, and his palms went clammy as a lump formed in his throat. Or maybe that was the chicken, he wasn’t sure. Either way, he slid the notification over so that his text thread with her opened up before he read her message.

Wren: Are you free anytime this week?

His brows pulled in. This had never happened before. The girl was seriously radio silent unless you were in her face or you texted her first.

Jensen: For you, always. What’s up?

Wren: I need to ask a favor. But I want to discuss it in person.

Jensen: Just let me know when.

Wren: What if it’s a lot to ask?

Jensen: Let me be the judge of that.

Wren: Okay, tomorrow? Lunch at the Southern?

Jensen: 12?

Wren: Perfect. It’s a date.

A date. No. Wait. It was right there. The word. And then she sent a kissy face emoji.

Holy shit, he was going on a date with Wren.

Was he overthinking this?

No. She said it.

But, wait.

Crap, he was reading into this. She was being playful.

But Wren wasn’t playful.

Shit.

“Why do you look like you just shit your pants?”

Looking up to his best friend, Jensen just stared at Vaughn. “I think I just did.”

Vaughn: You told Brie.

Wren: Yes.

Vaughn: Why do you get to tell her, but I had to keep it a secret for the last million years?

Wren: Okay, dramatic Dallas, it’s been six months, relax, and it’s my place to tell, not yours.

Vaughn: But I’ve had to lie. To everyone, mind you. Mom, Dad, Wells, Jensen, Brie, all for you.

Wren: And it didn’t kill you. Btw, I love you for it. Thank you. You’re the best other brother ever.

Vaughn: Don’t suck up to me.

Wren: LOL, but, wait, when did she tell you?

Vaughn: Today. She came home and told me because that’s what couples do. They talk a lot and have sex, lots of sex.

Wren: I hate you so much right now, but what did you say?

Vaughn: Ooh, that’s cool.

Vaughn: What was I supposed to say?!

Wren: That you already knew? Now you look like a liar when this comes out.

Vaughn: I know! That’s what I’m saying!

Wren: Sucks to be you.

Vaughn: I hate you.

Vaughn: And you’re not hiring a male gigolo.

Wren: I think the proper title is male escort.

Vaughn: Either way, you’re not bringing a whore to our brother’s wedding.

Wren: Dream ruiner.

Vaughn: Crybaby. Suck it up and tell everyone the truth. Then get me the name of the fucker so I can kill him.

Wren: He doesn’t matter, and I hate you.

Vaughn: Back at you, and you’re taking the blame if Brie gets pissed.

Wren: What else is new? Send it my way.

Vaughn: Good talk. Love you.

Wren: Yeah, yeah.

Rolling her eyes, she set her phone down as she looked around The Southern restaurant. It was busy, like always, but the food was to die for. So were the cocktails, but yeah…that was a depressing thought. Before Vaughn had texted to bitch at her, Jensen had said he was running late, which was fine. It gave her time to prepare. It was a little bit of a feat for her to prepare to tell her friend that she needed him to lie to his family and hers by claiming to be the father of her child and her husband. She should have given herself more time. But she really didn’t have it.

Wells’s wedding was coming up fast.

When her phone started to sing “Hello” by who Wells confirmed was the queen of all music, she chuckled. Her brother had some crazy radar when it came to her thinking of him. “Brother.”

“Sister. We have beef.”

“Filet mignon or porterhouse?”

“Tube,” he deadpanned, and she snorted. “Mom said you aren’t coming up the week before the wedding. The boys are bringing the Cup. You have to be here.”