Leila's grinning now, and it transforms her whole face. "He does have that energy."
"Right? Like a disappointed dad at a Chuck E. Cheese birthday party." I'm warming to the topic now, gesturing with my hands. "You can see it in his eyes. The resignation. The 'I'm too old for this shit, but I love these idiots, so I guess I'm stuck here.' It's beautiful, really."
"What about that one?" She points at Becker, who's now attempting to juggle beer coasters.
"The class clown. Thinks he's hilarious."
"Is he?"
I consider this. "Sometimes. Mostly he's just a mess in human form. Like if a golden retriever and a natural disaster had a baby."
Leila laughs, hand over her mouth. "What about the big one?"
"Wall?" I glance over at him—he's currently drinking what appears to be his bodyweight in water. "He's secretly a softie. Cried over a kitten last week. Actual tears. Don't tell him I told you."
Leila's eyes are sparkling now. "Your secret's safe with me."
"What about—" she starts, but Washington appears out of nowhere, materializing next to her like he's mastered teleportation.
He doesn't acknowledge me, just leans down and says to Leila, "Babe, mark the Christmas lights as done in the spreadsheet. Wall pulled through. It's a Christmas miracle."
He drops a kiss on her head and walks away, already being pulled into the napkin war by Groover.
I stare at Leila.
She sips her drink innocently, not meeting my eyes.
"Babe?"
"Hmm?" She's examining her nails now.
"BABE?"
"Oh, did I forget to mention—"
I gasp, pressing my hand to my chest. "You traitor!"
Leila's laughing. "What?"
"You sat there and let me roast your boyfriend?"
"Husband," she corrects, way too cheerfully. "And I really enjoyed the roast. Especially the disappointed dad at Chuck E. Cheese."
"Because that's what he is!" I gesture wildly, nearly knocking over someone's drink. "But you should have stopped me!"
"Why? Everything you said was accurate."
"That's not the point."
She's laughing harder now, shoulders shaking. "You're the one who didn't ask who I was."
Fair. Extremely fair. Still betrayal.
I cross my arms, trying to look offended, but I'm fighting a smile. "Okay. I'll forgive you. But only if you give me the scoop."
Her eyes light up. "What kind of scoop?"
"The good stuff. Actual tea."
