I wrapped the light blue blanket around my shoulders, sighing in relief. A mug full of hot chocolate was situated in my hands, spreading warmth throughout my whole body. I took a sip of the hot chocolate and cursed myself. I tried to be nonchalant as I coughed from the overwhelming heat.

"Thanks again, Joshua," I said as he plopped down next to me. The hot chocolate sloshed against the side of the cup, and thankfully it didn't spill onto the couch. Finlay was standing at the large bookshelf, looking at the books Joshua had on there.

"Of course," he said, smiling.

"Why are you so nice?" I blurted. I slapped a hand over my mouth and was about to say something when he laughed.

"I guess the way I was raised was a part of me learning that this life is a gift. We got this life from God and we should treat it like that. And I take that into consideration for everything and everyone."

I nodded, swooning at how he phrased that. It was even better that he believed in God! An added bonus was that he was extremely cute. "That's very true."

Joshua nodded, sipping on his hot chocolate. His eyes flicked over his mug to look at Fin. "See anything that interests you up there, Finlay?"

Finlay nodded and said, "How come you have so many books on the law?"

"My brother is in school to be a lawyer," Joshua answered her a little quickly. "He goes to school in a town a few hours away. My sister also lives there."

Finlay turned around and sat down in a chair across from me and Joshua. "I'm really bored," she announced loudly.

"I have some board games -"

"I don't want to play some dinky old board games," Finlay said, causing me to burst out laughing. "I want to play truth or dare or something like that. To get to know each other better, you know?"

Finlay looked right at me as she said that, and I tried to shake my head. Unfortunately, Joshua was looking right at me so I grimaced. "That sounds like fun, Fin. Real fun."

"That's what I thought," Finlay said, a triumphant smile on her face. "I'll go first. Grace, truth or dare?"

"Definitely truth." I knew how Finlay could get, and I didn't want anything bad to happen.

"You're no fun," Finlay said sadly. "But I guess I'll have to go with a truth." She tapped her chin and nodded. "What do you want in your future significant other?"

I glanced over at Joshua to find him looking at me. I gave him a quick smile and then I focused on Fin, ignoring my heart beating. "Well, he has to be kind. Not just nice when he wants to be, but he has to care about people. And he has to be loyal. He has to listen to me and I will listen to him. Having a chiseled face would be nice, too." I closed my eyes, thinking about my father. "But most of all, he has to swear to God that he won't hurt me. Because I won't stay with him if he hurts me."

I know it sounded like I was describing Joshua, but I was trying not to. I guess I just liked him too much to think clearly.

"It sounds like you have a crush," Joshua said. I glared at Fin, hoping she knew that I would kill her if he ever found out.

"Yes, I do," I said, slowly turning to face Joshua. "For a long time, actually."

"Man, that's dedication," Joshua said with a laugh.

"Finlay has definitely had that talk with me before." I realized I had the largest smile on my face as I looked over at her.

"Sounds like an awesome time whenever you two are together," Joshua commented.

"Oh yeah," Finlay said, laughing. "It's always balanced between us getting angry at each other or enjoying each other's company."

Joshua nodded again.

"Well, Joshua, truth or dare?" I asked him.

"Hit me with your best dare."

I tried to think of a way to get him closer to me without it being known that I like him. I grinned as I said, "Make up a rap about everyone in this room."

"But, Grace," Finlay said, her eyes wide, "that's my dream!"

"You can join him if you want," I said, shrugging. "But, this is his dare."

"I'll let him do it," she said with a pout.

Joshua smiled. "Is anyone going to give me a beat?"

"No," Finlay said quickly. "This is all you."

He nodded. His eyes settled on me, searching my face for some reason I didn't know. "Grace Wilson, your hair is so red. It is attached to your head. And your head leads to your face. It's my favorite place. What else do I say? I bet you were born in May."

There were pterodactyls flapping around my stomach as he finished up his little rap. I cleared my throat, ducking my head. "I wasn't born in May. I was born at the end of July."

"Good to know," he said, adding to the heat that was spreading across my cheeks. He turned his gaze to Finlay and jumped right into it. "Finlay Peterson, you're one wild girl. Ooh, I don't know what rhymes with girl. I've heard stories about the things you do."

Finlay scoffed, and I held in my giggles. "I'm not as wild as those stories paint me out to be."

"Why did you interrupt me?" he continued. "Why are you rude?"

"I am not rude!" she said, her voice rising a notch.

I burst out laughing, and Joshua joined me. His laugh warmed me up on the inside. My arm burned as he brushed up against it. I scooted a little closer to the edge of the couch and set my empty mug on the coffee table.

"Finlay, truth or dare?"

"Truth, please."

"What is one thing you are most terrified of and why?"

"Losing Grace," Finlay said immediately. Her eyes found mine, and there was a deep sense of love in them. "For as long as I can remember, we've been best friends. I can't lose her now. I love her too much. So, Grace, we better be best friends until we're old and one of us dies." I couldn't help but smile. She winked before saying, "Joshua, truth or dare?"

"Me again?" he asked.

"Yes," Finlay replied, crossing her arms. "Grace is boring."

I laughed and said, "Thanks."

His eyes glinted as he said, "Dare."

I knew he was in for a world of hurt because her smile was a little too wide. "I dare you to wax one of your legs. If you don't have wax, then you can just shave."

Joshua stared at her in utter disbelief. "This sucks because we do have wax here."

I grinned. "Let's go get it!"

Joshua groaned. "Why did I even invite you two over? I could've just left you out there to freeze to death!"

"You're too nice for that," I said, patting his arm. His eyes were wild as he kept mouthing 'help' over and over.

"Now, let's get to the waxing part!" Finlay said happily.

"Oh, this is gonna be so much fun," Joshua said sarcastically. "I can't wait. Let's just get this over with."