“I mean, could you do it while we soak in that hot tub I peeped out on the patio?” José asked, making me grin despite everything. And yeah, there was a whole lot of weirdness going on in my life, but if I stopped to think about it, a lot of it was good, including having my best friend in the world here and her friends—who already felt like my friends—to support me if I needed it.

“Y’all are fucking trash for a little bit of fancy, damn,” I teased, and would’ve kept on going but got sidetracked when I saw the photoshopped picture of Darth Vader with Theo’s face pasted on flashing on the screen of my phone.

Did he go somewhere and forgot his keys? “Yes?”

“Dinner’s almost ready,” he informed me, and I could hear the smile on his lips. Why was he so fucking happy all the time now?

“But why are you calling me, Theo?”

“The commute to your room is a hike and I have unlimited data.” I refused to be amused.

“Whoever told you that you’re funny really did you a disservice.” He responded with a low raspy laugh that wrapped around my middle like a rope and tugged until I had to suck in more air.

“It was the same person who told me I was hot and charming.” I would not grin, I would not smile.

“Are they on your payroll too? How did I never notice you’re a certified delusional narcissist?”

“Because I didn’t want you to know,” he informed me, and I had to resist sticking my tongue out at the phone. “Ask your posse if any of them are allergic to seafood. I’m making Asopao de Camarones.” Of course he’d make one of my favorite meals. Damn you, Theo Ganas.

I tapped to end the call and tried not to glare at my friends, who were all waiting expectantly. “Food’s almost ready, anyone allergic to seafood?”

A chorus of nopes resounded around the room, and just because I had to take it out on someone I pinned Salome with a death stare.

“Aren’t you a vegetarian?” I asked, as we all filed out of the bedroom.

“Pescatarian, ma. I am down, down, down for free food I don’t have to cook. Even if I wasn’t I might still try it because it smells really fucking good.” She wasn’t lying, the aroma of garlic, saffron, white wine and sofrito enveloped me as we walked down the hallway into the great room where Theo was moving around, his torso thankfully covered.

“Damn, bro, you want another roommate? I can sleep in the gym!” Tariq called, before slapping him on the shoulder. Theo laughed and tipped his chin in the direction of the dining room table.