Page 141 of Tech Bros

Isaac frowns. “You think I’m ignoring you.”

“Not ignoring…”

“I don’t know what anyone here knows about us, and I didn’t want to put you in an awkward position.”

“Is that all?” I ask.

“No, you’re right. We should have included you more. I get nervous in crowds, too, but I’ll start making out with you right here, right now if you want. I know I want to.”

I shake my head and look back down at the sink. “I’m sure Evan was glad to have a date to one of these things.”

“I’m happy to servewhereverI’m needed.”

He gets a look for that, and I get his sly smile in return.

He missed my point, but before I can explain that I wasn’t trying to be sexy or cute, Rachel and Priya lean across the island. “We’re gonna head out,” Rachel says. “We need to find some guys who want what we’ve got on offer.”

“Dinner was great,” Priya says. “And tell Evan we’ll take one of the puppies. We already told Millie.”

“I don’t think Millie’s right about the dog,” I say.

Rachel gives me a look that I think might be sympathetic. “Maybe you should ask her to show you the most recent pics. That poor dog looks like she’s gonna explode.”

“Golden Retrievers are big dogs, too.”

“It’s possible they both could have knocked her up,” Rachel says. “But Apollo had the time and the opportunity.”

“Then she shouldn’t have brought her over here if she knew she was in heat.”

“Millie’s sweet, but she didn’t understand the fertility period. She does now.”

“Thanks so much, Rachel.”

Rachel holds up her hands like she didn’t mean to start anything. “Okay, we’re leaving. Good night. Good to see you again, Isaac. Can I tell Calyx you said hi?”

“Sure,” Isaac says. “But I’d rather you didn’t elaborate.”

“Oh, no…I think he’ll be impressed, and validated honestly. I have to take care of my sour gummy bear.”

Isaac laughs softly.

Priya says, “He’s not very sour anymore. He’s been in Sam’s pocket too long. Now he’s all soft and squishy.”

“Hopefully he can make it to the next dinner,” I say, wanting to shoo them along.

“Oh, if this is still going on,” she gestures at Isaac, “we’ll make sure he does.”

“Good night again, Rachel,” I say.

She runs around the island to give me a hug. “You love me.” And then to Isaac, who she also hugs, she says, “You sure you’re not a little bit bi?”

“If it turns out I am, I’ll let you know.”

That pulls a short laugh from me.

Rachel and Priya laugh too, say goodbye again, and finally leave. Isaac turns to me and says, “You still think everyone thinks I’m just Evan’s date?”

Okay, so maybe he did understand what I was trying to say a minute ago.