“Jasper’s mom may not let him out of her clutches the rest of the weekend,” Milo groaned as he rested against a planter near me. He could pretend irritation all he wanted, but personally, I couldn’t wait to be alone in my old room together. I’d waited almost a decade to kiss Milo Lionetti in there, and I was going to enjoy the opportunity. Quietly. Very, very quietly because April still delighted in teasing us. Mom, however, had adapted to us being together quite well, making it her life’s mission to keep Milo supplied with recipes and food storage ideas.

“And Milo’s mom?” Jasmine’s ring caught the sunlight again. I wanted one. Not the cookie. The ring. Maybe with less glitz. Someday. Timing wasn’t there yet. But someday.

“Brunch on Sunday,” Milo answered. Between our two moms, we were going to be so stuffed when we rolled back into Brooklyn Monday. But happy. We’d be happy. “We’ll see her again in two weeks when Bruno’s in town as well.”

“And I’m going to win against him too,” I announced. Bruno was a damn good player. Ruthless. But I’d snuck in a few wins against him on his visits. He said that when we went to Virginia to see his base that he might let me play against some actual SEALs. I couldn’t wait.

“You could start by winning against me,” Alden reminded me.

“Oh. My. God. Make Bruno play Alden.” Kellan gestured like his head just exploded at the idea.

“Or Conrad. I can play, too, you know. Just a bit.” Conrad gave him a look, then laughed.

“Just a bit.” Alden arched an eyebrow.

“Do you guys play all day at work?” Kellan asked as he took more food. “Like, what does a hard day at the office look like for you guys? ‘Oh, I lost to Conrad all day again, someone feel sorry for me and rub my feet’. Because I might need a career change.”

“Says the guy with three interviews next week for Broadway shows.” I flicked a piece of ice at him. Actually, I’d never in my life worked harder than I had that summer for Odyssey. I loved it. But it was still work. Meetings. Forms. Reports. Boring stuff. But I also got to see one of my best friends most days, so it was still winning.

“True. Okay. I’m not quitting my daydream yet. I’m just saying you guys have the coolest jobs ever.”

“Hey, it’s hard work!” Conrad protested.

“I’m gonna find out. Someday.” Milo gave a little smile. We’d been to a few more regional tournaments together. Official Odyssey business. And I always found Milo in the artist alley section, looking at the lines. Someday. He was going to get there. I knew it.