Dinner is ready

After a while, Jeff finally steps back from the stove and looks over his shoulder with a satisfied grin. “Alright, I think we’re good. Dinner’s ready.”

He starts bringing everything over to the table—steaming pasta, garlic bread, and a simple salad. Chase immediately gets up to help, while Doug closes his laptop and clears some space.

Ariana smiles and takes a seat beside Jeff. I sit across from them, trying to keep myself composed. The smell of the food fills the room, and for a moment, everything feels almost normal.

Jeff raises his glass. “To surviving another year.”

Everyone laughs and lifts their drinks. I join in, but as I glance across the table, Ariana catches my eye for just a moment. She gives me the smallest smile before turning back to Jeff.

I look down at my plate and quietly remind myself to act normal. Whatever happened between us is something neither of us can afford to acknowledge here.