He smiles like he knows there’s more.
At the doors, there’s a pause.
A moment.
He waits.
I notice.
And it unsettles me more than if he hadn’t.
“See you tomorrow. I'll text you the details,” he says.
“See you.”
As he walks away, I notice my heart is pounding.
Not from the game.
From the thought I haven’t let myself think all night.
This is dangerous.
But it’s not careless.
And the worst part, the part I really didn’t plan for, is that this suddenly feels like more than a favor.
More than optics.
More than something I can package neatly for my artist.
Because as I pull out my phone and see his name waiting on my screen, I realize I’m going to have to be very careful about which story I tell first.
The one I sell.
Or the one I’m starting to live.
Chapter fourteen
Colby
“Look who’s making a grand entrance,” Dex says, pointing his fork at me like it’s a weapon. “We already ordered without you.”
“I can see that,” I say, pulling out the chair for Sloane and sitting only once she does. “Clearly my absence was devastating.”
“It was,” Mason adds. “Gregory ordered something green. I don’t trust it.”
“It’s called a vegetable,” Gregory says calmly. “You should try one.”
“I refuse on principle,” Dex says. “All my vegetables are either blended into protein shakes or hidden inside the good stuff. Pasta. Sauce. Cheese. They’re never alone.” He swivels fully toward Sloane then, grin turning charming, voice smoothing outlike he’s trying to impress without admitting it. “But seriously, welcome to the zoo. You already know me, Mason, and Gregory from the game show.”
He gestures around the table. “That handsome menace over there is Bryce. Don’t encourage him. Eli’s the goalie and Mia’s his wife, the only one who can shut him up with a look. Bobby’s here because he wandered in hungry, and that’s Janie, who absolutely keeps him in line.”
He jerks his chin toward the end of the table where Gabriel sits, relaxed and observant. “And that’s Gabriel. Actual dad of the group. Moral compass. Snack provider.” Dex tips his glass toward me. “And you already know Captain Responsible.” He looks back at Sloane, his smile easy and inviting. “Now that you’ve been properly introduced…tell us more about you when you’re not bravely surviving dinner with us.”
Sloane smiles, warm and genuine, eyes gazing briefly around the table. “I’ve already met Annabelle and Mia,” she says, nodding toward them. “It’s really nice to officially meet the rest of you.”
She doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t laugh nervously. She folds her hands on the table and looks at him like he’s mildly entertaining.
