"Do you want to come to my place sometime this week? I can cook you dinner. I'm not a half bad cook, as you know."

Avery asked me this question as she walked me out to my car. We had another drink, and just like how it was at the restaurant down at the beach, we didn't run out of things to talk about. I tend to feel shy and even awkward around people I don't know too well, but it wasn't like that with Avery.

"I'd love to," I glanced at Avery as she walked next to me, "That sounds really nice."

Avery flashed me a grin, "Awesome. Are you free on Friday?"

"For you, definitely."

We reached my car, and I stood by the driver's side, looking up at Avery, who was a few inches taller than my 5'3 height.

"This was really nice," I said to her, "Thank you. I wouldn't have wanted to spend my Monday night any other way."

"I feel the exact same, Isabelle," Avery looked back at me, "I'm definitely looking forward to Friday."

Avery's eyes then gravitated down toward my lips, and my cheeks grew warm.

I then dared to say, "You looking at me like that is making me want to kiss you."

"Funny, I was thinking the same thing," Avery replied softly, and before I knew it, she had her hand on my waist and was leaning in to close the gap between us.

What if someone in the parking lot sees us?

Fuck it.

I leaned in as well and kissed Avery. The world around me that I was so concerned about seconds before seemed to blur, and all I could focus on was the sensation of Avery's soft, supple lips on mine.

"I look forward to doing that more," Avery murmured as we pulled away.

"Same," I said, not being able to hide my smile, "Have a good night, Avery. Text me when you're home?"

"I will," she nodded and smiled, and then started walking away, not before turning around and grinning at me over her shoulder again.

As I drove home, the same feelings of excitement yet confusion that I had the night I hooked up with Avery flooded my mind.

As I was pulling into my apartment complex, Avery texted me that she was home, and I sent her a message back saying that I was looking forward to seeing her again.

That was true. I couldn't wait, honestly.

Moments later, as I was walking up to my apartment, I received a text from the bachelorette group chat. Naomi was the one who sent the text. It said:

Hey ladies! I wanted to invite you all over for a girls night this Friday. I thought it would be nice after we had such a good time this weekend.

Friday night.

What am I going to do?

What is Avery going to do?

Avery texted me right away, and after talking back and forth, we decided to go to the girls' night, but still hang out together afterwards at her apartment.

Everyone said they could make it to Naomi's on Friday, and I silently hoped that her fiancé, Brett, wouldn't be there.

Naomi is my Aunt Karina's daughter. Karina is my father's older sister, making Naomi my first cousin. With her living in the same area as my family, we've always been close. Naomi has a younger brother, Ian, who is the same age as my younger brother, Levi. They're both 25 years old.

I've told Isla this before, if Naomi wasn't my cousin, I probably wouldn't like her much if I didn't know her well. She may be blunt as hell and a know it all, but deep down she's a very generous person who would give you the shirt off her back.

I can't say the same for Brett.

The week went by, and on Thursday night, my mom invited me over for dinner. Isla and Eli were going to be there as well.

My parents live about a half hour away from me, and I see them more often than I would like, but not enough for my mom. It's not that I'm not close to my parents...we just don't agree on much.

After work on Thursday I changed out of my work clothes and into something more casual, and made my way to my parents house. I knew the topic of conversation there was going to be the wedding, as always.

My parents still live in the same home that I grew up in. It's a fairly large, brick single home with white shutters at the end of the street in a housing development, with two hanging by the door, an American flag, and a "Make America Great Again" flag.

My stomach churns each time I see it.

I was greeted at the door by my parents' dog, a golden retriever named Skipper.

"Hey buddy," I said, leaning down to pet behind his ears. I then heard voices coming from the kitchen, so I walked to it, Skipper following me.

"What's for dinner?" I asked as I walked into the kitchen, "It smells great."

"Roast chicken, vegetables, and a nice, fresh salad," my mom, who was standing by the stove said. My dad was standing by the granite island next to Eli, and Isla was across from them. I was greeted with hugs by everyone, and stood next to Isla.

"Is Levi coming?" I asked. My younger brother lives about an hour away in Philadelphia.

"Not tonight," my mom responded, "It'll just be the five of us. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."

"How was work for you today, Iz?" my dad asked me, taking a sip of his beer.

"It was fine, just the same old," I shrugged, "Nothing too exciting. How was work for all of you?"

My dad is a Superintendent in the school district, and my mom is a teacher, however she works in a different district.

"Same old as well," my dad said, "Eli seemed to have the most interesting day out of all of us."

Eli works as a Physician Assistant at an Urgent Care, so he always has crazy stories to tell us.

He looked at me, "Let's just say I'm glad this day is over."

Isla chuckled and smiled at Eli, and he smiled back at her.

My mom then turned and said to me, "Do you see how tan Isla got at the beach, Iz? I'm sorry you have my genes and you just burn instead of tan."

Isla did have a bronze glow to her smooth skin. Her dark brown hair was in a high ponytail, and she wore an olive green romper.

"Curse you and your genes," I said to my mom in a playful tone.

My dad laughed, "Iz, do you remember that time period when you were in college where you would get spray tans?"

"Oh, don't even go there!" I replied with a laugh as well, "I've deleted every picture off my phone from that time for a reason."

Dinner was ready a few minutes later, and my mom set out all the food. The five of us sat down together at the dining room table.

My mom spoke as we started to eat, "Isla, I heard that you and your bachelorette party are having a girls night at Naomi's tomorrow. I'm so glad you all get along well."

Isla nodded, "This past weekend was a lot of fun. I know Izzy agrees."

Oh, I definitely agree. Maybe for different reasons.

"Is anyone else in the group married?" my mom asked Isla, "Of course I know that JJ isn't, but I don't know the other girls as well."

"No one else is," Isla shook her head, "In fact, Naomi is the only other one in a relationship."

"Really?" my mom looked at Isla, "You're such a pretty group of young women, I would've thought that at least a couple more would be in a relationship. That includes you, Izzy."

My dad turned to me, "Yeah, Iz. It's been forever since you've dated someone."

"Thank you for the reminder," I said to my dad, who chuckled.

Isla then spoke, "Iz, I wanted to mention to you, one of my co-workers seems pretty interested in you."

...Avery?

"Oh, really?" I looked at Isla.

"Avery, Crystal, and I were looking at pictures from this past weekend and my co-worker, Ryan, came up to us. He immediately asked who you were, and if you're single."

"Oh...that's sweet," I said, shifting in my chair.

"Izzy, that's exciting!" my mom looked at me, "Isla, tell us about Ryan."

Eli looked amused as he said, "Yes, do tell."

Isla rolled her eyes and smiled, "Well, he's a CPA. He's 28, and a nice guy. Funny, too. I think you'd like him, Iz."

I'm a bit more interested in one of your other co-workers.

"He sounds dreamy," Eli said jokingly.

"He asked me if you had any social media, but I told him I'd have to check with you first before giving him any of your information," Isla said to me. She then asked, "Can I give him your Instagram, at least?"

Oh no.

"Um, sure," I said back to Isla, "You can."

I wonder how Avery reacted to Ryan wanting my information?

How do I somehow ask Isla without asking?

"I'm surprised Crystal doesn't want to snatch him up," I added.

"Oh, she does," Isla responded, "She seemed a bit jealous that he was into you. Avery was actually the one who mentioned I should ask you before I gave him your socials."

Ha. There it is.

"Avery wasn't jealous, either?" my dad asked.

Isla stared at my dad for a second, "No...Avery is gay. I thought you knew that?"

My mom glanced at my dad, and then back at Isla, "We didn't know that."

"Okay, now you know," Isla said, "What, is it some kind of problem?"

"Of course not," my mom said quickly in an unconvincing tone.

My dads tone was a bit more convincing as he said, "Not a problem, honey."

Isla looked my way, "Anyway. I'll give Ryan your Instagram. No pressure, just see what happens."

"Okay," I nodded, knowing I very likely was not going to see what happened.

When I left my parents that night, I felt like how I always did, a bit unsettled. Even more so tonight seeing the discomfort on my moms face when Isla mentioned Avery's sexuality.

I got home, and was once again all alone. Helene was at work, and even if she wasn't, I wouldn't be interacting with her.

The loneliness started to set in as I sat on my bed, not quite ready to wash my face for the night and go to bed.

My phone, which was on my bed, vibrated. I looked down to see a text from Avery.

It said:

Really looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. At girls night, and after.

My heart skipped a beat when I looked at the text.

Who knows. Maybe I won't be so lonely after all?