46. Jess
Jess:
So I think I’m gonna keep Connor around for a few more days if that’s okay. You can have Chris back, though.
Chris:
That was hurtful and unnecessary.
Anna:
It was definitely necessary.
Chris:
WHO LET HER INTO THE GROUP CHAT?
Later that night, my boyfriend (I have a boyfriend!) said he wanted to celebrate our reunion in style with Chris and Anna. When Anna and I reminded him that style costs money, especially in LA, he said he’d pay for everyone.
Chris was quick to cut off our objections by saying, “Cool, let’s go then.”
So we’re sitting here in a curved booth at a trendy sushi restaurant, Anna and I on the inside with the boys on the outside. I stare at my bracelet every chance I get; my wrist feels so much better having it back on. Connor and I are touching each other as appropriately as we can, being in a public place, and every once in a while I catch Chris and Anna just staring at us like we’re covered in oatmeal.
I can’t help but notice how close they’re sitting to each other, though.
“Thank you for taking us out, Hot Connor,” Anna says.
Chris gags. “Don’t call him that. Why do you keep calling him that? Where did that come from?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Anna doesn’t look up from her menu.
“I called him that,” I interject, trying to stop the bickering.
“Back in the beginning. When I gave him my seal of approval,” Anna grins.
Connor smiles back and tightens his arm around me while Chris lets out a derisive snort.
Anna’s face immediately falls, and she glares at him. “What is that?”
“What is what?”
“That snort, that’s the second time you’ve done it since you’ve been here.”
“Am I not allowed to make sounds around the princess?”
“Well, if asking for basic table manners makes me a princess, then hand over the tiara.”
“So, what’s good here, Anna?” Connor diverts.
“Everything’s good here. The yellowtail is divine, and the ahi is even better,” Anna answers.
“Is this all just raw fish?” Chris asks, flipping the menu over.
“Have you seriously never had sushi?” Anna is completely appalled.
“I live in Colorado. I eat steak.”
“Oh right, manly meats,” she deepens her voice. “I used to live there, they have plenty of sushi places.”
“Yeah, but why would I eat sushi when I could have steak?”
Anna’s only half-listening, rifling through her purse before she pulls out her phone. “Shit. It’s my mom, I’ve got to take this. Will you excuse me?”
Chris stands up to let her out of the booth. “Take your time. Seriously, as long as you need.”
“Shut up and get me the sashimi deluxe. You should stick with the beef teriyaki,” she directs before answering the phone and walking away.
Chris sits back down muttering something about a pain in the ass and starts looking at the menu again. I stare at him, an interminable smile on my face.
He glances up at me. “What?”
“You like her,” I goad.
“What?” he repeats.
“You think she’s super pretty.”
“Yeah, well, poison dart frogs are super pretty, too, but I know better than to go near one.”
The server comes and takes our orders, and Chris begrudgingly settles on Anna’s recommendation for the beef teriyaki. She’s been gone a lot longer than she usually is when her mom calls, I’m starting to worry about her. When Chris stands to let her back in the booth, I can see she’s trying not to cry. “A, what’s wrong?” I ask.
“I have to go home,” she says tightly, holding back tears. “Mom’s having another meltdown.”
Crap. “Oh honey, I’m so sorry.” I untangle myself from Connor and lean in to give her a hug. “What can I do?”
“Nothing,” she sniffles. “It’s just always the worst timing, you know? I had that audition lined up next week that I have to cancel. And I don’t even know how I’m going to afford a plane ticket right now.”
Connor raises his hand slightly. “Anna, I’d be more than happy to?—”
“Chris can drive you,” I interrupt.
Chris’ head snaps up, but he wisely says nothing. Anna looks as confused as he probably feels.
“He’s driving home anyway, you can just tag along with him. Right?”
I know I’m being ridiculously unfair to put him on the spot like this, but I also know he’ll thank me later. And he relents, like I knew he would. “Yeah. No, of course.”
“Oh, I couldn’t impose like that. I’ll, uh, I’ll figure something out,” she says in a shaky voice.
“No,” Chris says firmly. “It’s not a problem. No imposition. I’m leaving tonight, you can pack after dinner.”
I can see Anna bristle, but her common sense wins out. “Thank you,” she mutters.
Chris nods in response.
Anna glances at me. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay here by yourself? I’m so pissed. We were supposed to be roommates.”
“I’ll be just fine, don’t worry. Let me know if you need anything. And remember, Lyss and Teagan are there, they’re safe to talk to.” Anna’s history with her mom is…complicated at best.
She nods and wipes away a stray tear, and I pull her in for another hug. Over her shoulder, I can see that Chris’ expression has gone from irritation to concern. I know he’ll be the perfect person to take care of her on the way home.
When we pull away, she attempts to get herself back together. “Okay. It’s going to be okay.”
“It is,” I assure her.
“You’re staying for another few days?” she asks Connor.
“I booked a flight back home leaving Friday.”
“Okay. Good, good.”
The table is silent for a few seconds before she turns to us and says, “Please don’t have sex in my bed, okay?”