Pop nods. “You must really like this Leo guy.”

“Six months is serious,” Afton says.

I would almost prefer that the conversation return to the yelling about food or Mom blowing us off. Almost. “Five months,” I say again. “And yes. We’re serious, I guess.”

“It’s kind of weird, though,” Afton continues. “You’ve been together five whole months and he hasn’t been over here once to meet your family. I mean, you even went to prom together, but you met him there instead of having him pick you up.”

“He doesn’t have a car—” I start to protest, but Afton cuts me off.

“Ada, are you ashamed of us?” The side of her mouth quirks up.

“No!” I burst out. “It’s not like that. It’s just that he’s really busy with swimming all the time, and it’s a long way to come from San Jose—it takes forever.”

“But you go to his house,” she points out.

“I like going to his house.” It’s quiet and nice, just him and his brilliant mom, when at home it feels like I have so much to deal with all the time.

“Well, you should bring him over for dinner sometime,” Pop says. “We’re all curious to meet him.”

“Yeah!” Abby exclaims, brown eyes wide with excitement. “We could find out who his ancestors are and cook them! But don’t kiss him in front of me. That would make me throw up.” She pretends to gag.

“Uh, Abby, that’s not what I—” Pop starts.

“How about tomorrow night?” Afton claps her hands together like this is the best idea ever. “That’d be so fun.”

“I can’t tomorrow night,” I say, holding Afton’s gaze. “I’m going to Leo’s swim meet, and then we’re having dinner with some of his friends.”

I don’t know why I say this. The idea only solidifies as the words are leaving my mouth. But it’s a good idea, I realize, and my voice is steady, because that’s suddenly what I’m going to do: surprise Leo at his swim meet. Be the supportive girlfriend and cheer him on. Tag along with his friends to dinner—I’ve met some of his friends before, and they were, well, friendly. They won’t mind. I’m sure Leo won’t mind. And then afterward we can go back to his empty house, and try again. This time with shaved legs and sexier underwear and better music.

“That sounds fun,” says Pop.

Chapter 4

4

“That sounds terrible,” Afton says later. “No wonder you choked.”