“And we found it!” Professor Tuttle came back in, followed by Jasmine and with two new decks for us to examine and talk about.

“Let’s get the filming wrapped,” Jasmine said as she moved to fiddle with the cameras, undoing Kellan’s adjustments. The two of them had taken over a lot of the editing from me, and their little squabbles over minute differences were fun when they weren’t making me feel even more conspicuously single. “I’ve smelled what they’re doing in the kitchen. I want to enjoy it sometime before midnight.”

“We will.” Professor Tuttle settled into his spot in front of the camera, but he was careful to finish up right as Professor Herrera came to tell us that the food was going to get cold. He helped Professor Tuttle up and already had a plate waiting for him at the kitchen table. The two of them were legit relationship goals, not unlike my parents. I wanted someone to take care of like that, someone to—

“Snagged you the last Mountain Dew.” Looking adorable in one of Professor Herrera’s aprons, Milo handed me a can. “And here’s a plate.”

“Sorry if the filming took too long.” I put my soda at the table and joined the line for food.

“It didn’t. And now I know a bunch of new tricks.” Milo’s smile was so bashful and genuine that he was damn lucky that I didn’t kiss him right there, especially when Kellan wrapped Jasmine up in a hug, lifting her off the ground. And Conrad was having some sort of conversation with his eyes with Alden, one that made Alden blush. Bah. At least I got to soak in Milo’s cuteness instead of drowning in the sea of the happily coupled.

Eventually we all filled our plates for our late-night feast and found places to sit. I ended up at the table next to Milo and near Professor Herrera. None of us ever drank before gaming, but now that filming was done, Conrad and Kellan had beers with their food. Milo, however, stuck to soda, whether in solidarity with me or as part of his newfound resolution I wasn’t sure, but I appreciated it.

“Thanks for loaning me your friend,” Professor Herrera said. “He’s a fast study.”

“Hey, I thought I was your favorite helper.” Kellan faked being wounded, undoubtedly because Professor Herrera was one of his advisers.

“Was that you grating two pounds of cheese?” Professor Herrera laughed. “Now, everyone eat up. I don’t want leftovers.”