Dinner continues

Everyone settles in and starts eating. Jeff seems especially happy to have Ariana there, talking about classes and telling stories from the week between bites. Chase keeps the conversation lively, occasionally making everyone laugh, while Doug listens and adds the occasional oddly detailed comment.

I mostly keep quiet, focusing on my food and trying to act like nothing is wrong. Across the table, Ariana does the same. Every so often, though, our eyes meet for a brief second before one of us looks away. Neither of us says anything about that night.

Jeff seems completely comfortable, unaware of the strange tension sitting just beneath the surface. He reaches over and casually squeezes Ariana’s hand. I look back down at my plate, suddenly feeling the weight of the secret all over again.