Fiona Gallagher was not the nervous type.

She handled crises, bills, broken appliances, and her siblings’ disasters with the kind of confidence that came from never having another choice. So when she hovered in the kitchen doorway, arms crossed, clearly rehearsing something in her head, you knew something was different.

You looked up from your coffee. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Totally,” she said too fast. Then she sighed and rubbed her face. “No. I mean—yeah. I just—ugh.”

She stepped closer, lowering her voice even though no one else was around. “Kev and V are going to this wedding. Some cousin. South Side, but like… fancy South Side.” She paused, eyes flicking away. “And I need a plus-one.”

You waited.

She shifted her weight, suddenly unable to meet your gaze. “I was wondering if you’d wanna go with me.... as my plus one"