“John,” Liam warned.
“What? She’s nice. She brings food. She laughs at my jokes.”
“She laughs because you’re ridiculous,” Eric said.
“That still counts.”
The conversation slowly started again, but the energy had changed.
I tried to focus on Marco telling Caleb about Monday’s practice schedule.
I couldn’t.
My attention kept drifting toward the kitchen.
Cassie was standing beside Olivia, wrapping leftovers in foil even though everyone was still eating. Sophia joined her a minute later. Jill followed.
They spoke quietly.
I couldn’t hear what they were saying.
Cassie laughed once.
It didn’t sound real.
A few minutes later, she returned to the dining room with her purse over one shoulder.
“Sophia and I are going to head out.”
Olivia frowned.
“Already?”
“She needs to go to the b
