She shrugged. “You get used to it. Ready to go?”

“Yup,” I said with way too much enthusiasm. She didn’t notice. Or maybe she did and we were all playing our parts. Maybe Andrew was the most real out of all of us.

December 27, 5:08 p.m. PST

<Chloe>

I don’t want to talk about it, but I decided not to tell them I know. I just want to spend time with my dad.

<Drew>

Ok

Okay it’s the right call?

Or okay you support me either way?

Just… ok, it’s whatever you need.

Tell me what you’re thinking

Please

I want to help you but I don’t know how

I don’t know either

I don’t know what I need

I wish there weren’t so many lies

Me too

I wish I could see you

Me too

Drew CHAPTER 50 FULL ROM-COM

I was in the kitchen making chicken congee for dinner when Jason came home from his Christmas job.

“Dude,” he said in greeting.

“Dude, no,” I threw back immediately. I was not ready for this. I quickly checked the rice cooker, then retreated to my room. But Jason followed behind like a pet. An annoying one who wanted the details, not one who’d missed me (well, maybe he’d missed me a little, I’d like to think, seeing as I’d missed him).

“You went full rom-com on her?” he asked.

“Hardly,” I said dismissively. “No boom boxes were involved, no chasing through an airport, no declarations of love. I just showed her my paintings.”

“Exactly.”

“So?”

“So!” He threw his hands in the air and I couldn’t help a laugh. “So this is such a big deal!” He ran up to me and grabbed me, jumping up and down. Complete, utter shock on my end. “I’m happy for you!”

“You’re not going to lecture me about shitting where I eat?” I struggled to say between jumps.

He put me down. “Well, yeah, that too, but also, yay! I’m bummed I missed her.”

I wanted to tell him, No worries, she’ll be around soon, but then I realized I had no clue when that would be. I wondered if his operative senses were tingling as I skirted this and said, “You’d like her.”

“Anyone who can get you to stop being so weird about your paintings? I fucking love her.”

I laughed. “I’m not that bad, am I?”

He gave me a sideways look like, Are you kidding me?

I nudged him with an elbow. “I’m just joking; I know I’m the worst. But… maybe not anymore.”

His face lit up. “Yeah?”

I shrugged. “Yeah. I’m looking into a few programs, some contests. Just to see what it’s like, in case it’s something I want. Maybe I’m a little excited too.” I shrugged again even though my heart was racing.