“Well, I do odd jobs on the side too.”

“Teaching guitar lessons once a week does not count as a side job. Neither does fixing the next-door neighbor’s sink every now and then. I just think you’d be happier if you didn’t have to lie to Mom and Dad about what you do.”

“Don’t you mean they’d be happier?”

To her credit, Bianca considered the question before answering. “Both. I mean, you haven’t told me much about your job—and please, continue to spare me the details—but I’ve seen your apartment. It’s a dump. You said you were only going to work this job until you paid off your student loans. Have you made any progress on them? If you were rolling in money, it’d be one thing, but . . .”

Zack’s face burned. He knew his apartment wasn’t great, but to have it shoved in his face like that was mortifying. He stared out the window to hide his red cheeks.

“Do you even like your job?” Bianca asked. “If this is your dream career, I’ll shut up right now.”

Zack started to lie but then stopped. Bianca would see right through him. “Not really. To be honest, it’s kind of boring.” John popped into Zack’s head, and he smiled. “It’s been a lot better these past few days, though.”

“I’m glad, but who knows how long that will last.” She glanced at him again. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but why don’t you borrow money from Mom and Dad to pay off your loans?”

Zack burst out laughing.

She glared at him. “If I were to look at your bank account right now, would you still think this was funny?”

Zack’s laughter died in his throat.

“That’s what I thought. Would asking for help really be so bad?”

Zack didn’t have a good response, so he stared at his lap until Bianca nudged him with her elbow. “Just something to think about, okay, kiddo?”

“Yeah, yeah,” he said, rolling a shoulder. “I get it. ‘Get your shit together, Hall.’ Doesn’t make it easy to hear.”

“Consider this a pep talk before the real witch hunt begins.”

Just then, they turned onto a familiar street. Zack’s stomach lurched as they approached a blue two-story house with a large front porch. The house had a neat row of hedges on the side, a manicured lawn, and three cars parked in the driveway.

Bianca pulled up to the curb and shut off the engine. She turned to Zack. “Ready?”

“Nope. Let’s go back.”

She laughed and opened her door. Zack had no choice but to grab the wine and follow. Together, they walked up the driveway to the front door. He rang the bell before his stomach could convince him to bolt. The door opened almost instantly to reveal a brunette woman of middling height, with large eyes identical to Bianca’s.

“Hi, Mom—” Zack began.

“My children!” she said as she grabbed them both to her.

Zack got a faceful of his mom’s perfumed hair. “And Dad says I’m dramatic.”