I walked down the stairs nervously.  I was late.  I knew I was late.  I knew they’d all be waiting at the bottom.  All of them.  Even…

“Lana, come ON!  Are you serious?  Do we really have to go over this every fucking time you decide to go out?”

I raised my gaze from the floor long enough to glare at my brother.  “Brent, shut up.”

“No!  No, I won’t shut up.  You want to know how you end up with asshole guys?  THIS.  That…that…scarf thing.”

Hannah smirked at my brother from the door.  “Some people like to call it a dress.”

“Those people obviously don’t have a little sister,” Brent grumbled.  Hannah and I shared exasperated looks, and I rolled my eyes.

“I think she looks hot.”

I smiled politely at AJ.  He always came through for me.  No matter what, AJ stuck up for me.  Even though my brother could easily kick his ass.

“Thanks, AJ.”

He winked at me as he snaked an arm around Hannah’s waist.  “Anytime, babe.”

Brent waved his arms around wildly.  “You see?  Do you see?!  Even fucking AJ is flirting with you!”

I was about to respond with something sarcastic and catty when another voice spoke up.

“Relax, man.  She looks nice.”  There was a pause, and a wink.  “Besides, you know if anyone tries to dance with her, I’ll kick their ass into next week.”

AJ rolled his eyes.  “Possessive much, Nick?”

Nick grinned down at me, blue eyes sparkling in the light of the foyer.  “Hell yes.”

“Wise man,” Brent muttered.  “But if anything happens to Lana, I’m blaming you, Nick.”

I rolled my eyes.  Some things never change...

“I’d blame myself, Brent.”

But some things do... 

Nick kissed me sweetly on the cheek, and I couldn’t help it.  I grinned.  

The five of us headed out to the car, laughing at the perturbed look on Brent’s face.  I watched my boyfriend—my boyfriend—as he punched my brother in the shoulder.  It had taken Brent awhile, but he was finally coming around. Brent shoved Nick back, but stopped his assault when he caught the glare I was sending him.   

“Well?  Come on, girl, spill!  It’s been, what, a month?  How’s he doing?”

I rolled my eyes good-naturedly at AJ’s persistence.  “He’s amazing.  But you knew he would be.”

AJ laughed gleefully.  “Of course.  Like I said…you’re good for him.”

Nick came up behind me and pulled me into his chest.  “Maybe I’m good for her too.”

AJ gave him a doubtful look, and I laughed as Nick pouted.

“Maybe we’re good together,” I corrected him, and Nick paused for a moment before breaking into a smile.

“Good together,” he mused.  “Yeah, I like that.”

Hannah raised an eyebrow at me, and I giggled.

Me too.