I glance back at my phone, smiling when the screen lights up with a new text.
ZACH
so this is what you do when I'm not around? sneak off to La Playa full of sunburned frat boys?
I bite back a laugh.
I might've sent him a photo of the bar earlier when he asked where I was—just a harmless shot of La Playa's beachside sign and my half-finished glass of wine.
ME
relax, Dad. I'm just here for dinner and babysitting my friends while they try to flirt with anything that moves.
ZACH
yeah, well, pretty sure half those "anythings" are gonna start trying to flirt with you instead.
I roll my eyes, already grinning.
ME
pretty sure none of them even looked at me.
ZACH
yeah, right. like anyone with eyes wouldn't.
ME
and what if they do? what are you gonna do about it? you're not even here to stop them.
ZACH
so? I'll teleport. break every law of physics. don't test me, sugarplum.
I laugh out loud, shaking my head.
ME
you're ridiculous.
ZACH
ridiculously into you? yeah, that checks out.
I can't stop smiling now.
ME
shouldn't you be doing something important right now?
ZACH
wasn't I?
ME
what, sulking?
