“I hate how negative it sounds. Friendly is the more appropriate word, I think. I want to know everything, Emma Burns. Have you ever been to a concert or broken a bone? What’s your favorite band? Favorite Nickelodeon cartoon? I swear if you say something dumb, like CatDog, we’re going to have an issue.”

“Wow! That’s a little harsh. You’re putting me on the spot! Why don’t we play a game while we wait for the cookies to finish? I’ll ask you a question, you answer. Then you ask me a question,” I suggest, leaning my elbows on the corner of the island. It’s the only surface in the kitchen that hasn’t been turned into a hazard zone.

“I like this idea. You start. No thinking. Answer right away. First thing that comes to mind.”

“How deep are we getting here? Is anything off limits?”

“Emma, I mentioned a cartoon from the 90s with a dog and cat sown together. I can assure you I won’t be asking you your favorite philosopher, or how you’d establish world peace. Hit me with your best shot, ZC.”

“Oh! Can I amend my fight scene song? I love that tune!”

“Fire away. I’ll allow it.”

“Good. Okay! Here we go. Favorite color?” I ask, lobbing him an easy one to start. Henry hesitates, obviously weighing his answer. His nose scrunches up and his mouth turns down in the corner, ever so slightly.

“Red. Favorite food?”

“Tacos. Favorite season?”

“Fall. Love the sound of crunching leaves. What do you sleep in?”

Oh. Okay. This took a quick turn. I blush. “A big t-shirt. What do you sleep in?”

“Boxers. Long pants when it’s cold. Dresses or skirts?”

“Dresses. Shorts or pants?”

“Shorts. Day or night?”

“Night. Wine or beer?”

“Beer. Romance books or thrillers?” he asks.

“Romance. Bowling or baseball?”

“Baseball, but I hate that you’re making me pick. Cruel woman. Chocolate or vanilla?”

“Chocolate. Or swirl! Beach or mountains?”

“Mountains. Car or plane?”

“Car. Radio or playlist?” I ask.

“Playlist. And I already have a great one for our road trip. Soup or salad?”

“Soup, always. Hotdog or hamburger?”

Henry scoffs. “Hamburger. French fries or tater tots?”

“French fries, but I wouldn’t refuse either! Favorite city?”

“London. Sweet or sour?” he asks.

“Sweet. Dogs or cats?”

“Dogs. Favorite Nickelodeon cartoon?”

“Rocket Power. Duh. My first crush on a fictional character was Twister. Same question.”

“Rocket Power. My first crush on a fictional character was Reggie Rocket. I’ve always liked spunky women. First concert?”

“Simple Plan. Have you ever broken a bone?”

“My ankle, when I was twelve, while attempting to skateboard in my Etnies. I was a total poser. You?”

“Never. I did staple my finger with a staple gun once. Fav—”