My best friend's brother and my brother's best friend (2016)

A broken bottle of scotch and more drama!

"Bloody Hell!" I curse under my breath as I try to buckle the impossible silver buckle on my black heeled sandals.

"Feeling tense are we?" Cara laughs coming into the room with two glasses, a bottle of vodka and various mixer options.

"We're not starting already are we? I thought you said we were going to take it gently tonight?" I question, laughing at her mischievous grin as she pours our drinks with a more than generous alcohol ratio.

"Worried we'll get a bit frisky around Joshie now are we?"

I swear to God if she wasn't my best friend.

"You know I'll never fail to admire your unfaltering loyalty to your own brother Car," I reply dryly, taking a big swig of the concoction that she's just thrust my way.

"Ah! So you aren't denying it then!"

"That's not the point!"

"I will always protect my dear, dear brother however as your best friend I also have to support you," she insists, topping up my drink already, "anyway it's not like he didn't have his chance!"

"Hm ..." I respond taking another absentminded swig.

"Also as you are relatively new to the dating game, it's good for you to put yourself out there a bit to make sure you find the right person for you."

"Woah, where did all this deep convo come from," I giggle, beginning to feel the fuzz in my head.

"Anyway, what time is josh picking us up?" Cara asks, focusing on her own shoes, dismissing our previous conversation. One of her best qualities is definitely that she knows not to string a subject out for too long.

"Um ... like 9?" I respond, checking his text to make sure, "I said we'd help set up his place."

"We?"

I give her the best reprimanding look that I've learned over the years from my mother before standing up and giving my self the final once over in her full length mirror.

"Just promise me one thing?" Cara starts, standing up to join me and taking my hand in hers.

"What's that grandma?" I laugh at the serious glint in her eye.

"Don't always be scared to do the first thing that comes into your head, impulses aren't always a bad thing."

I smile at her, rolling my eyes playfully but deep down I know she's right. This summer has probably been one of the best ever because for the first time in my life I've not been afraid of what people will think or that I'll look stupid. Then again that confidence is what initiated my newfound relationship with Eli and the mess that created.

I'm dragged from my internal debate by my phone pinging and Josh's name flashes up on the screen.

"Well looks like it's go time!" I blurt out, looking up at Cara with a smile.

"You go let josh know we're here, I'll get the party stuff," Cara replies typing something into her phone as we leave her room and head down the stairs.

"Sure."

"And Dani, don't do anything I wouldn't," she giggles with a wink as I smack her arm.

Somehow tonight is beginning to make me feel nervous.

***

Rihanna and Drake boom out in the buzzing party background as I pour myself a safely proportioned drink. If I'm even going to consider taking Cara's "impulses" advice, it's probably best not to mix that with too much alcohol. I glance at the surrounding party now in full swing, dozens of guys and girls clutching at their drinks. Some are going all out, dancing in the middle of the room whilst others are huddled in groups laughing hysterically with one another. It's hard not to feel stranded on the outside.