“Well, you never know.” Stefan says. “But no, I haven’t thought about whether or not I’d want children in the future.”
“How old are you? You’re older than Quinn if I’m not mistaken.”
“Mum, I’m pretty sure it’s rude to ask someone their age,” Rubin says.
“That’s only ladies.”
“And that’s sexist.”
Sabella glares at Rubin. “Don’t be so cheeky.”
“It is!”
Stefan chuckles. “I turned twenty-nine recently.”
“Five years,” Sabella says thoughtfully.
“Four, really,” Rubin points out. “It’s Quinn’s birthday soon.”
“I don’t think four years matters much,” Dad says. “It’s more important that you’ve got things in common and that you get along.” He smiles at Sabella affectionately. “Like us.”
“You’re right of course.” She pats Dad’s hand and then focuses her attention on me and Stefan again. “You do have things in common, don’t you?”
“A few hobbies,” Stefan says.
I can feel my face heating up to epic proportions.
Sabella raises her eyebrows. “Like?”
“Reading,” Stefan replies. “I appreciate art, even if I can’t even draw a stick person.”
“Chess,” I manage, even though my tongue is thick and heavy and I can’t feel my jaw.
“Are you good at chess, Stefan?” Dad asks.
“Good enough to beat Quinn occasionally. He wins most of the time.”
I shake my head. That’s not true at all. Most of the time, we’re fairly evenly matched.
Dad looks at me. “I’m glad you’ve found someone else to play with.”
“Me too.”
Thankfully, the conversation shifts away from me and Stefan as we finish our main course. The waiter clears our plates away and then brings us dessert menus. I don’t even look at mine. I’m getting too sleepy to care about eating. The urge to rest my head on Stefan’s shoulder and take a short nap is rising within me.
He leans closer to me. “Do you need me to be your pillow?”
I look into his eyes. “Do you mind?”
“Of course not. Whatever you need.” He shuffles his chair closer to me.
I rest against him and let my eyes close.
When I open them again, there are dirty dessert plates in front of everyone but me and Stefan. The whole restaurant is singing ‘Happy Birthday’ as the waiter carries a large slice of cake with a sparkling candle to Sabella. There’s a round of applause as the plate is put in front of her. She blows out the candle and then thanks everyone.
“Do you want some, Quinn? You missed dessert.”
“No, thanks. You enjoy it.”
