I raised an eyebrow. “You realize the ball is significantly worse, right?”
She shrugged. “That’s future Vani’s problem.”
I laughed, genuinely taken aback by how funny she was without even trying. The things she said had this sarcastic edge, even when I knew she was being serious.
“You know,” she said thoughtfully, “my family dinner is in two days.”
My fork paused halfway to my mouth. Ah. There it was. The thing I had been expertly avoiding thinking about. I set the fork down slowly.
“I remember,” I said.
Her lips curved into a mischievous smile. “That means it’s your turn to be nervous.”
I stared at her. “I’m not nervous.”
She gave me a look. “You’re lying.”
“I’m choosing not to acknowledge reality.”
She took another bite of food, clearly enjoying this.
“Well,” she said casually, “I hope you’re ready to be interrogated.”
My stomach tightened. “Shouldn't you be reassuring me that everything will be okay?”
She hesitated. Then she made a face. “Well…”
My eyes narrowed. “Well, what?”
“I’m nervous too.”
“You’re nervous?” I blinked slowly, trying to make sense of what she was saying." “You’ve known these people your entire life. So why are you nervous?”
She shrugged helplessly. “Because they’re my family.”
“That doesn’t explain anything.”
“It explains everything.”
I stared at her for a long moment. Then I shook my head. “This would have been one of the only opportunities where lying to me would be acceptable.”
"I can do that," she chirped instantly as she sat up straighter and cleared her throat dramatically.
“Callahan,” she said in a very serious voice.
“Yes?”
“Everything will be completely fine.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“My family is perfectly reasonable.”
“Of course.”
“They will absolutely adore you.”
I raised an eyebrow. “And?”
