Getting Avery off my mind was virtually impossible. Over the next few days, she lingered on my mind constantly.

We texted a bit throughout the day as well, but I wondered when the next time we hung out alone would be. I knew I'd see her in about a week and a half to go out for Crystal's birthday, however I wanted to see her before that.

On Tuesday at the office I sat at my desk and stared at my phone, wondering if I should text Avery and ask her to hangout.

What do I have to lose? I don't think she'll reject me at this point.

"Working hard or hardly working?"

I looked up from my phone to see my co-worker, Theresa Stone, chuckling at me. Theresa has become a friend to me, even though I'm half her age.

"Sorry," I said, "You don't mind that I'm on my phone, do you?"

"Of course not, I was just teasing," Theresa responded.

I decided to shoot Avery a text asking her when she was free, and if she wanted to hangout. I then opened up the Instagram app, as I didn't feel like working yet, and I saw that I had a message waiting for me.

Oh no. Please don't let it be-

It was Ryan Sander.

The message read: Hey Isabelle! You might've heard about me; I work with your sister. I saw you in a picture and asked for your info, but I'm sure you know that.

I knew I needed to message him back, and I decided to be honest with him.

However, I had to be careful about it.

I messaged back: Hi Ryan! Yes, I did hear about you. I'll be honest with you, I'm seeing someone. My family doesn't know about it, so please don't tell Isla.

Was that stupid? Should I have made up another lie?

Also, I wasn't technically "seeing" Avery.

A girl can dream.

I put my phone down and got to work, not checking it until lunch. When I opened Instagram, I saw I had a response from Ryan.

My heart rate quickened as I read: Thanks for being honest with me, Isabelle. I appreciate it. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me!

I messaged Ryan back thanking him, relieved.

At the end of my lunch, I received a text from Avery.

It read: Sorry I'm just responding now! I was with Isla all morning and couldn't respond for obvious reasons. I'd love to see you. Are you free tomorrow night?

Avery and I made dinner plans for the next night after work. She asked me if I liked sushi, and I told her I did.

She texted me saying: I'll make reservations at a restaurant I think you'll love. Looking forward to it.

Right after we had the plans set in stone, my stomach filled with butterflies. I hadn't had those for a long time.

I would love to tell Isla...but I just know that I can't for now.

After work that day, my best friend from college, Hannah, called me.

I don't have a lot of friends. Partially by choice, however Hannah Grant is a great one. She unfortunately lives in Arizona, she moved there after college, so I don't get to see her often. Hannah is one of the major highlights of college for me. Overall college was a bit of a rough experience, but she sure as hell made it better.

When I answered her call, I knew that I wanted to tell her about Avery. If I was going to tell anyone it would be her, even though my mouth went dry at the thought of it.

I sat on my bed as I answered the phone.

"Iz, I miss you!" she said, "I need to hear all about Isla's bachelorette party."

I started to tell her everything. Well, almost everything. My heart hammered as I got to the part about hooking up with Avery.

"I also might've hooked up with someone," I said to her.

"No way. One of the guys that came over to the house you were staying at with Milo?"

"Not exactly," I responded, noticing that my voice was a bit shaky, "I, um, I hooked up with Avery."

"Oh!" Hannah sounded shocked, "You did?"

"Yes. And I've hooked up with her again. No one knows."

"So, this is a thing," Hannah responded, "Do you like her?"

"I do," I admitted.

"I think that's great, Iz. Whether you date a man or a woman, I fully support it, you know that. Tell me more about Avery."

Relief flooded me as I started to tell Hannah more about Avery. Knowing I had at least one person supporting me meant everything.

The next day, I found myself nervous to hang out with Avery. It was difficult to concentrate on work, and I just wanted it to be 7 PM already, when Avery said she was going to pick me up.

I spent about an hour making myself look cute, and as I was spraying myself with perfume, Avery texted me that she was out front.

Do I kiss her when I get in her car?

That question was answered for me right away. Right after I closed the passenger side door, Avery smiled at me, "I'm so glad to see you."

I smiled back at her, warmth already spreading through my chest, "I'm so glad to see you too, Avery."

Avery then started to lean in and asked softly, "May I?"

I nodded, and before I knew it, Avery was kissing me. It was a soft, gentle kiss that lingered for a few extra seconds.

"I've been thinking about doing that since I last saw you," she said after we pulled away.

As she drove to the restaurant, she said, "You can go on my phone and choose any song you'd like to play. I'm not sure if you're into the 50 Cent throwback I've got on."

The song "When It Rains It Pours" by 50 Cent was playing at a moderate volume.

"I'm into this," I said to Avery, "I like rap."

We pulled up to the restaurant, Hachi, which I'd gotten takeout from one time but never dined in.

It was a favorite of Naomi's, who is a sushi fanatic.

The thought that Naomi could be at the restaurant went through my mind.

There's no way. She's probably exhausted after work.

Avery and I got seated at a booth toward the back of the restaurant, and I looked at the stunning woman across the table from me. Avery seemed to ebb and flow between appearing more masculine and feminine, leaning more toward the masculine side. Tonight, however, her hair was down and straight and she appeared to be wearing more makeup than usual.

"You look really pretty," I said to Avery, smiling softly at her, "As always."

Avery smiled back at me, "So do you, Izzy. As always. I decided to wear a bit more makeup to try and look nice for you."

She then winked at me, making me weak in the knees.

I knew I was blushing as I responded, "You look great."

Avery opened the menu in front of her, "Let's decide what to order. Anything that catches your eye we'll get."

"I've ordered here from DoorDash once, it was great," I said to Avery, "Naomi loves it here as well."

"Glad I made a good choice choosing here."

A few moments later, a server came over and took our drink order, and we also got spring rolls.

I looked at Avery, "I told my best friend, Hannah, about you."

Avery brightened, "You did?"

I nodded, "I did, she was really accepting. I didn't expect any other reaction from her."

Avery gave me a soft smile, "How did you and Hannah meet?"

"My first year of college. We lived across the hall from each other and immediately clicked. We were inseparable throughout college."

"Does she live around here?"

"She doesn't, she moved to Arizona about two years ago with her husband, he goes to medical school out there."

"You must miss her."

"I really do. I actually visited her in Arizona not too long ago, back in March. That was when I was just starting bipolar disorder medication, and she was really there for me."

"She sounds like an awesome friend. Especially to be there for you during that."

Avery truly seemed interested in everything I was saying, which I wasn't used to, especially not in the dating scene.

This is different. She's different.

I was sitting on the side of the booth facing the door, so I could see everyone walking in and out of the restaurant. Moments after we were served our spring rolls, in walked a very familiar couple.

Naomi and Brett. No fucking way.

This cannot be happening.

Avery caught my eye, "Are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost."

"Naomi and Brett just walked in," I looked at Avery.

Avery's eyes widened, "Oh, fuck. You know what, it's okay. We can always tell Naomi that we're just out as friends if she comes up to us."

My heart raced as I said, "I'm not so sure Naomi is going to buy that."

At first Naomi didn't notice me, however after talking to the host, she caught my eye and her face lit up.

"She's definitely about to come over here," I said to Avery.

"It's okay," Avery said in a reassuring tone.

Naomi walked over, followed by Brett. Naomi was still in her work suit, and her dark hair that was usually curly was straightened to perfection. Brett was dressed to the nines per usual.

As they walked over and got closer, I saw Naomi's eyes land on Avery, and she looked puzzled.

"I was not expecting to run into the two of you together," she looked between Avery and I.

Brett greeted us with a simple nod, and I said to Naomi in a playful tone to mask my nerves, "Nice to see you too, Naomi."

Naomi rolled her eyes, "You know I'm happy to see you. The both of you. I just wasn't expecting to find the two of you hanging out alone."

I had no idea what to say, however Avery spoke, "We both discovered our love for sushi, so we decided to get some."

Naomi nodded slowly, and then looked between us again, "This is a date, isn't it?"

My stomach dropped, and Avery glanced at me, unsure of how to proceed.

Naomi is going to know if I'm lying.

I looked right at Naomi, "You can't tell a soul."

A small smile tugged on Naomi's lips and she said, "I promise I won't. It's not my business to tell."

"Thank you," I said to my cousin.

"Of course, Iz. Well, I'll let the two of you get back to your dinner. I'll see you both soon."

With one final wave, Naomi and Brett walked away.

Avery looked concerned as she asked, "Are you alright? I know you weren't prepared for anyone to know. Especially your family."

I let out a deep breath I didn't know I was holding, "At least it was Naomi. She's a very open-minded person when it comes to her views. I'm okay. I just want to enjoy the rest of the night with you."

Avery smiled at me, "Let's enjoy. I'm here with a stunning woman who has really caught my interest. What's not to enjoy?"

A few moments later, my phone vibrated, and I saw it was a text from Naomi.

"Mind if I look at my phone?" I asked Avery, "Naomi texted me."

"You don't have to ask. Go right ahead."

I opened up a message from Naomi, and it said: Just know that I'm happy for you, no matter who you date. You and Avery look good together.

I was thankful for Naomi's reaction.

However, I knew that was only the beginning of what was to come.