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Owen huffs out a laugh while tipping his beer to his lips. “Uh, yeah I do.”

Mom turns back to me, ignoring my brother’s lie. “Is Lennon excited about tonight?” she asks, changing the subject, but not quite enough for my brother’s liking.

I pull down the sleeves of my tux. “I guess.”

“Why aren’t you two going together?”

“Why would you think we were?”

“I just thought you’d ask her to be your date,” she says with a shrug.

I glance over at my brother, who lifts his brows. “Don’t look at me. You know damn well I would tell you not to ask out a Riley sister.”

Mom plants her hands on her hips. “But Elodie said…”

I reach up and pinch the bridge of my nose. “Elodie needs to mind her own business.”

“But she’s right. You should have asked her…”

“Mom…”

“Anyone with two eyes can see how you feel about Lennon, son.”

“She didn’t want a date,” I reply.

My mother waves her hand to the side. “Oh, that just means that she does.”

My brows draw together. “What? That makes no sense.”

Owen clears his throat. “Welcome to how the female mind works.”

Mom points a finger at Owen. “You stay out of this.”

“Ha. Gladly.” Owen salutes me as he walks away. “Good luck, Easton. You’re gonna need it.”

Mom waits for my brother to leave the room before closing the distance between us again, resting her hands on my shoulders. “This is your chance, Easton. You could surprise her,” she says as her eyes widen with excitement. “Oh! You should show up on her doorstep and ask her to go with you. You could have a Ross and Rachel moment…”

“Mom, Ross got ready to ask Rachel, and she ended up going to prom with another guy.”

“Yeah, well, that’s because Rachel was supposed to have a date, but Lennon doesn’t, right?”

I think back to our cafeteria conversation and shake my head. “Not that I’m aware of.”

She takes me by the shoulders. “Then it’s a sure thing!”

“I don’t know…”

“No risk, no reward, Easton. I would hate to see you pass up the opportunity to tell the girl how you feel and live with regrets. Remember what I’ve told you about those.”

My mother’s voice echoes in my thoughts before I repeat her words of wisdom out loud. “Fear is temporary. Regret is forever.”

She nods proudly. “Exactly, son.”

The deep breath I take in gives me just enough energy to muster up some courage. “Fine. I’ll go over there, but I’m not guaranteeing anything, okay? I’ll just…feel her out.”

The proud smile she gives me is alarming as she squeezes my shoulders again. “You have to let me know what happens, okay?”

“Fine.” I press a quick kiss to her cheek and then grab my truck keys, hoping I don’t miss Lennon before she and Elodie leave Lennon’s house. I know they were getting ready there and then Lennon’s dad planned to drive them to the school, but I don’t know what time they were going to leave.