CUT TO: Cafe exterior, day - Ryan and Jessica

Jessica was one of Ryan's oldest friends. When he'd changed high schools, she was one of the first to be kind to him, even standing up for him when some of the popular kids bullied him for his confusion and ignorance regarding his new school. They attended the same local college, and then, a couple of years ago, realized through social media that they'd both landed in the same city and reconnected.

Jessica sat across from Ryan at a little table outside their favorite cafe. It was a bright spring morning, the first warm day of the year, and Jessica was taking full advantage. She was in a blue sundress, with spaghetti straps and a low-cut front that displayed her ample cleavage. Her wavy blonde hair was down, softly waving in the breeze. She was beautiful, always had been, and Ryan couldn't pretend he wasn't interested.

"So...wait," she was saying. "You've been inviting her out to things and yet I haven't met her? What the hell is up with that?"

"You've been busy! You were invited to that party at my place, and you've postponed this lunch date twice! You're hard to get ahold of, Jess."

She sighed. "Okay, fair. Well I need to meet your new friend soon. Maybe the two of you should come out clubbing with me sometime." She smiled.

Ryan laughed. "While it's not my preferred scene, you know I'm willing to hit the club with you. But Lily..." he trailed off and shook his head.

"Oh come on, don't sell her short. Maybe not yet, but I bet we can make a fun party girl of her if we try."

Ryan cocked his head at his friend. "We?"

Jessica shrugged mock-innocently. "It sounds like a fun project. I love getting people out of their shells. Especially cute girls who live next door to one of my best friends."

"How do you know she's cute?"

It was Jessica's turn to laugh. "You may not have used the word, but the way you've talked about her makes it very clear."

Ryan threw up his hands. "Okay, you caught me."

"Now, to be clear, you are trying to be her friend, right? Not just get in her pants?"

"Yes! Genuinely. If I got in her pants it'd be cool, but I'm just trying to be friendly."

Jessica laughed at him, but there was no malice in it.

Once their lunch was over and both were getting ready to leave, Jess looked pensive. Ryan poked her shoulder. "Whatcha thinking?"

"Well...I'm trying to decide if this is crazy..."

"A thought of yours? Probably."

She rolled her eyes and continued. "You told me she always wears hoodies and seems embarrassed to be seen. Do you think she'd like a makeover? Fashion help?"

"I mean...maybe? It's not something we've talked about."

"Okay. Well. I want to meet her. Hopefully..." Jessica glared at Ryan, "you've told her about me and she wants to meet me too. What if we meet at Central Mall to hang out next weekend? I can take her into some stores and start to get a feel for what she might be into."

Ryan pondered for a second. "Yeah...yeah, okay. I think that would go okay."

"Perfect. Start a group chat. I'll introduce myself."

Ryan rolled his eyes. "Guess this is our project now, huh?"

Jess gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Damn right."