“And those socks, though,” Nevaeh says.

“What’s wrong with my socks?” Jack kicks out a leg to examine them with a furrowed brow. His burgundy corduroy pants are slim, and they stop just above the ankle. Totally inappropriate for the snow.

“Hot dogs?” Taylor says, shaking his head. “Tacky.”

“Irreverent,” Jack argues. “Cheeky. Humorously camp. Engagingly silly, in contrast to my serious demeanor.”

“Socks are not a personality,” I tell him.

“Good point,” he says, and I can’t tell if he’s joking, but Taylor snorts.

“You’re sure you want to scout?” Nevaeh asks. “I’m happy to do it with him,” Nevaeh says. “Well, not do it with him. No offense.”

“The socks, I know,” he says, nodding.

“That too,” she agrees. “Also, into girls.”

“I want to be the one who takes any extra risks,” I say. I glance at Jack. “Jack and I are grown-ups. Mostly.”

“For a given value of ‘grown-up,’ yes,” he agrees.

I narrow my eyes at him. “Right,” I say. “So it’ll be fine. If you’re fine with it.”

“I don’t believe I ever said otherwise,” he says.

“You—” No. I will not argue with him. I am growing as a person. “I guess I misunderstood,” I say in a very noble way. “I appreciate your help very much. I mean, we all do.”

“I’m very glad I can help you,” he says very formally. And then he flashes a brief, bright smile at Katherine. The corners of his eyes crinkle when he smiles like that. She twinkles back. He says something to her in a low voice and she laughs.

Nevaeh widens her eyes at me then.

“Then we’re good?” I say, a little loudly. Jack glances away from Katherine and blinks at me.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he says.

“I bet,” I say.

And then the cafeteria lights go dim. “Oh god,” I say. I recognize drama-kid drama when it’s about to happen.

A muttering rises up, and then a clear alto voice rings out. “You’ve got a golden ticket!”

Spotlights hit the cafeteria door. A short boy in a gold top hat and tails bursts through, with a backup crew in tiny golden leotards. No pants, because backup girls never get pants. There’s a shriek from the far side of the room, and then a roar of approval rumbles through the crowd.

“Aw!” Katherine says. Her hands are clasped against her chest. Jack glances over and smiles at her obvious delight.

Under cover of the promposal, I can escape. I push away from the table, blowing a kiss at Nevaeh, who is the only one who notices I’m sneaking away, and she shakes her head at me, looking amused.