I choke out a laugh, nearly spilling the juice. “No way.”
“I swear! And you know what the best part was? This old guy was filming it like it was the World Cup.”
I laugh.
Matt squints at me suspiciously. “You good?”
I shrug, trying not to grin. “Yeah, why?”
“Hyoure acting… weir.”
“Maybe I just missed your dumb stories.” I start pouring the juice into my cup.
He snorts. “Yeah, right. How’d my bestie sleep?”
“Fine.”
“Fine?” he repeats, narrowing his eyes. “That’s not your fine voice. That’s your ‘I did something stupid’ voice.”
I smirk. “I might have an announcement… but I’ll tell you over lunch.”
He frowns. “That’s suspicious.”
I stir the pasta as it has personally offended me. “Just trust me, okay?”
“Okay, fine.” He shrugs. “How’d it go with Tilly, though?”
My heart jumps. “Eh, it was fine.” I feel bad for lying, but the situation is calling for it.
His jaw drops. “That’s all I get?”
“The pasta is burning,” I say too fast. “Can you go grab everyone?”
He blinks. “You’re acting weird.”
“Bye,” I said, shoving him toward the hallway.
When everyone finally crowds around the table, the kitchen feels warm, full of the smell of garlic and way too many overlapping conversations.
Yana is talking about her new nail color, Zara is scrolling through Pinterest, and Tilly is sitting next to me, bumping my leg under the table, trying not to smile too hard.
“I have an announcement,” I look at everyone.
That gets their attention.
Yana immediately gasps. “Wait. Is it bad?”
I keep my face neutral. “Depends on how you define bad.”
Zara freezes mid-bite. “Oh no. Did you get rejected? Is someone pregnant? Did someone die?”
Matt leans back like he’s watching a soap opera. “This better be good.”
Tilly and I exchange a quick look.
“Well,” I begin, “you all know Tilly, and I talked yesterday…”
Yana’s eyes widen. “Oh no. Don’t say it.”
