Jane took a few steps away from them, maybe uncomfortable with their flirting, and started listening intently to someone else’s conversation, not even bothering to pretend she wasn’t eavesdropping. Her face was growing more and more concerned as Ayanna reminded Felix he was a good listener, had excellent taste in music, was somehow capable of making turkey taste good even though that felt like an eldritch secret to her. Turkey is meant to taste bad, Felix. It’s tradition. She leaned forward and whispered in his ear what else he was excellent at, and felt flush with the way he smiled at her. Ayanna stayed close. He truly was content to let her think about what she wanted. There was only pleasure on his face as she stood close.

Then Felix paused and asked if everything was okay with Jane. Together, they studied her. Ayanna couldn’t help but assume Jane was listening to something scandalous, like confirmation that most of Stephen’s dad’s money had come from money laundering or grifts, or that one of the young men she was listening to was Stephen’s secret half brother. Jane touched her side. And for a moment, Ayanna worried she was misreading the situation and, somehow, maybe Jane wasn’t hearing something bad but was concerned about her health or the baby’s. Jane fished her phone out of her purse.

“Something up?” Ayanna asked. Felix came over and offered Jane an arm. They hovered around their friend.

“Do you need some water? To sit down?” Felix and Ayanna were asking at the same time.