“You know what I mean!”
Jacks was backing out the door now, still grinning. “We’ll be nice and friendly. Even Benji.”
As they filed out, I heard Benji say something in the hallway, followed by Jacks’s voice.
“I didn’t mess that up, did I? I feel like I said ‘you know’ like fifty times—”
“You did fine,” Mark’s voice replied. “It was very heartfelt.”
“Oh, good. I was going for heartfelt.”
The moment the voices faded, I pulled out myphone.
Me: So, something terrifying just happened.
Chase: Oh, boy.
Me: Yeah. Oh, boy’s right. My friends want to have dinner this weekend—all of us. You, me, Mark, Benji, Jacks, and Priya.
Chase: Is this a “meet the family” situation?
Me: How did you know? I almost fell out of my chair when they called us a family.
Chase: You’re precious when you’re clueless.
Me: I’m not clueless!
Chase: See? Absolutely precious.
Chase: Are they going to grill me?
Me: Probably. Benji’s already planning his questions. I think he even took a couple of law school classes to prepare. I’m sorry in advance.
Chase: Don’t be. I want to meet them, too. They’re important to you.
Me: You sure? They can be a lot.
Chase: I can handle a lot. When and where?
Me: Saturday lunch? I haven’t really thought about where.
Chase: Saturday’s good. What about everyone coming over here? We can grill out back and just be casual and comfortable.
Me: Your house? Really?
Chase: Why not? I mean, you already know you’ll have to cook. I don’t even know how to turn the stove on.
Me: Stop it. LOL. You’re not that helpless.
Me: Although, I think my butt print is still on your countertop and that was months ago. Have you eaten since then?
Chase: Only your ass. I’m living on puckers and warm fuzzies.
Me: EWW. Not funny.
Chase: A little funny.
Me: Fine. It was a little funny.
