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Forthe record,I’venever heard ofBurgerBlissand don’t know what type of place it is in this guy’s mind.Butthis is now a mutually created backstory.Likewhen my sister andIwere little— during long church sermons, we’d start with a squiggle on a piece of paper and pass it back and forth, each adding a line, a dot, or a squiggle until it became a picture that neither of us had planned. “That’sright!Wow,Ican’t believe it’s been so long since we last got jalapeno burgers and went up on that rickety stage to sing karaoke.”

Theguy puts the knuckle of his pointer finger to a lip, then chuckles as he shakes his head. “RememberhowDarekused to go up everyFridayand he would always sing— ”

“—Eyeof theTiger,”Isay, finishing his sentence.

“Alwayswearing those mismatched socks.Onewas bowling-themed and the other…”

Hepauses, thinking, andIsay, as ifIjust remember (when, really,Ijust thought of it), “Cheez-Its!”Ishake my head. “Hislucky socks.Iwonder if he still wears them everyFriday.”

Theman leans back, studying me like he’s drinking me in after all these years. “Howlong has it been?”

“Eightyears now.”IwishIwould’ve thought to ask that question because his answer might’ve told me how old he is.Notthat it matters beyond this very moment—I’mjust curious.AlthoughIam having enough fun thatIkind of hope this moment will continue for a while longer. (Afew years, maybe?)

“Wow.Eightyears.”Ican tell he’s calculated my age, and that smile tells me he’s pleased it came to twenty-six. “Sohave you seen any of the old gang?”

“Wantto introduce me to your friend?”Spencerfinally asks, his voice tight.Ican’t believeIalmost forgot he is at the table.Especiallybecause, based on the waves of annoyance coming off him, he’s been exuding the emotion for likely the entire length of this conversation and has been trying not to let the emotion explode out of him.AndI’vebeen so focused on this stranger thatIdidn’t even notice.

Iscramble becauseIdidn’t actually think of a fake name for this guy.Luckily, my partner-in-backstory-creation saves me by not even missing a beat before he reaches a hand out and says, “Hi,I’mJace.MackenzieandIwent to school together.”

Jace.It’snice to have a name to call him.

“Yes,Igathered that,”Spencersnips. “So, what are you doing here?”

Jaceturns to me. “Iactually drove up becauseTerrencelives here now.Ashleyis here for a couple of days, too, so we are all getting together.”

“No,”Spencersays, the word controlled but just barely so, “Imeant, what are you doing hereat my table?”

“Justcatching up with an old friend.Iapologize for cutting in on your date.”

Jaceis definitely suave.I’mimpressed he’s being so polite toSpencer, especially whenSpencerlooks like he’s got very impolite thoughts running through his head.

“Yeah, high school was a fun time.Backwhen we were kids.”Spencermotions between himself and me. “Weare having an adult date here right now.”

Ignoringthe guy,Jaceturns to me and asks, “Sohave you seen any of the old gang?”

“Notsince high school.”

“Youshould come hang out with us tonight!Everyonewould love to see you.Weare trying to getCaseyandBrynnto drive up, too.Weare going to see if we can find a karaoke bar somewhere.Recreatea bit of the magic fromBurgerBliss.”

Iknow thatJaceis making everything up, yetIstill want to buy into it.Iwant to go with him to hang out with the old gang, sing karaoke, experienceBurgerBlissmagic, and find out ifDarekstill wears his lucky socks.

“Exceptshe’s on a date right now,”Spencersays, punctuating every word.

Iturn my full attention toSpencer, putting a hand on his arm so his focus will be on me instead ofJace. “Listen.Ithink we’ve talked long enough to realize that this isn’t going anywhere.Ithink we should call it a night.”

Spencershakes his head. “No.Youhaven’t given me enough of a chance yet.I’ma nice guy.I’venever met a woman who doesn’t love me.Andyou’re really going to be impressed with my apartment later tonight asItell you stories about my secret missions.”

Myeyes are still onSpencer, butIcan see the expression onJace’sface from the corner of my eye, andIcan tell that he’s objecting to so much of whatSpencerjust said.

“Iknow there’s a woman out there who will love doing exactly that,”Isay. “Iam just not her.”

Spencerspreads his hands at the mostly empty table. “Theyhaven’t even brought out the food yet.What, amIjust supposed to sit here by myself with two entrees?”

Iget why my date is angry.Ido.Iam trying to skip out early.IthoughtIwas being clear that the date wasn’t going well all along, but maybeIwasn’t clear enough.

That’sthe exact moment when our waiter arrives at the table and places a beautiful plate of sea bass in front ofSpencerand a takeout bag in front of me.DidJaceset this up with the waiter?Ordid the waiter see the writing on the wall more clearly than my date did?

“SoI’mpaying for your meal, and you’re going to just leave with it?”