“I can just pull out one of my kitchen chairs,” he says.
“Take it,” I tell him. “It’s used to being outside.”
“Thanks.” He accepts the chair and settles it before going to open his gate, which Hugh promptly wanders through.
“Our friendship can be bought,” Hugh tells Josh after he introduces himself. He selects a taco from the box Josh extends. “Transaction complete.”
Josh turns to us next. “Pork, steak, or veggie?”
Ruby nudges Ava, who steps forward. “Veggie. I’m Ava. Nice to meet you.”
“Josh.” He hands her a couple of tacos. “Nice to meet you too.”
Ruby makes sure I’m the last one to get my tacos as she and Madi make their choices, Madi introducing herself as well.
It’s my turn, and I step up, suddenly not remembering if Ruby told him she was trying to fix us up, or if only I know that. I’m not usually awkward. Quiet, sometimes, with new people, but not awkward. But not knowing if Josh knows Ruby is matchmaking causes a brain fumble.
“Um, steak? And pork.”
“Nice to meet you, Steak and Pork.” He hands me my tacos. “I’m Josh.”
I’m glad it’s too dim for him to see me blush. “Friends call me Sami. With an I.”
“Short for Samuel, I’m guessing?”
My lips twitch.Okay, cute boy. You got jokes. I see you.“Yes. Steak and Pork Samuel Webster, Sami for short.”
I try to ignore Ava’s soft snort and the loud crunch of Madi’s popcorn. I would like to retreat, but I feel their eyes on me almost like a shove forward, so I clear my throat and try not to be an idiot. “So where did you move from?”
“Most recently, North Loop. But I grew up in Austin.”
“Nice. I’m from Hillsboro.” I watch him closely for a reaction, but his expression doesn’t change. Hillsboro has a redneck reputation, which is fine for most Texans, but sometimes Austin people jump to snap judgments. He’s passed the test.
“Haven’t been there,” he says.
Mrs. Lipsky has marched into his yard for her taco. “You know Clarksville?”
I use this as an excuse to melt back from the fence and rejoin my roommates.
“What do you think, Steak?” Madi asks.
“Shut up,” I mutter, mainly because Mrs. Lipsky is super nosy, and I want to hear the details. She jumps right in after requesting steak tacos.
Mrs. Lipsky: Did you go to school here?
Him: Yes.
Mrs. Lipsky: Major?
Him: Psychology.
Mrs. Lipsky: What do you do?
Him: A boring job.
Mrs. Lipsky: Like what?
Him: Too boring to talk about.
