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I flip the tiny envelope's flap and pull the card from within.

You looked beautiful last night, it reads in a feminine script. There isn't a florist logo listed on the card, and due to the delivery time, I'm guessing these are from a grocery or box store. Had Sully left and come back to drop them off?

"So? Did the night end with a kiss or a handshake?"

I can feel even more heat surging up my neck into my face, and Jasmine whoops like a crazy person.

"Stop it!" I order, laughing.

Jas bolts off the stool where she's sitting to race around the island. She wraps me in a bear hug and begins an impromptu dance party, dragging me along. "You're ridiculous."

"Vi and Sully sitting in a tree," she sing-laughs every word. "So? How was it? Is he as good a kisser as he is handsome? Inquiring minds have to know."

I give her a look from beneath my lashes that needs no further explanation, and she squeals so loud I wonder if my eardrums will pop.

"I knew it! Shew!" She fans herself with dramatic waves of her hands. "You guys have that thing every time you're around each other."

"What thing?"

"You know, the thing. More than chemistry but…like, real friendship and chemistry and just…all the tension."

We do indeed seem to have more than just chemistry. But I'm not sure how I feel about that since that seems to add more pressure to our relationship.

Do we have a relationship? Do I dare risk our friendship? "He, um… He asked me out again, but I didn't say yes."

"Wait, what? Why?" Jasmine asks, whining the y.

I inhale and turn to search for food like a bear coming out of hibernation, ignoring the beautiful flowers for now. "Because."

"That's not a reason. Didn't you have fun?"

I grab a protein shake and two oatmeal breakfast cookies, taking a huge bite of one so that I could buy some time to formulate my thoughts.

"Violet, he's a good guy," Jasmine says, sounding defensive.

"I know he is." That just makes this situation worse, though. Why can't she see that? "I totally agree with you."

"Then why didn't you say yes?"

"Because…I don't want to lead him on. And I can't help but worry I won't be able to be a-a girlfriend or couple or whatever."

"And you don't think you're getting ahead of yourself there? The whole cart-and-horse thing? Vi, you can't control every moment of every day."

"I know that."

"Not if you're worried about what may or may not happen in the future. You can have a few fun dates with Sully and see how things go. You can take it slow. You can even set up rules for the man if you absolutely have to. But don't shut him out because last night went so well that it scares you."

I break a piece of the cookie off but make no move to eat it.

"Look, I know you're on edge because of what might happen, but for now, just let yourself enjoy the moment. Have fun. Will you do that? For me?"

I stare at Jasmine for a long time before stepping forward and wrapping her in a hug, still holding my remaining cookie and shake. "You're right," I whisper. "I just got freaked out. Here, I thought I'm supposed to be the wise older sister."

"You're just older," she shoots back.

Jasmine shrieks when I dig my knuckle into her ribs and then squirms to break free, scrambling around the counter, out of reach.

"For real, though," she continues once she's safe. "Two bouquets for one date? That man is a romantic. Who knew?"