“My passport’s in the car.”
“No problem. We’ll wait.”
Jay rests his palm on the binder. I have to fight to keep a straight face, especially when he plants himself on the edge of his desk, right where Tom’s bare ass was less than a minute ago. He folds his arms and I realize he isn’t moving until I actually come back with my passport.
Tom gives me that apologetic look I wish he wouldn’t. He doesn’t need to take this on himself, because we’re in it together. He dragged me out of the dark when I was in a bad place. Now it’s my turn. Not because I owe him, but because it’s us now. We sync heartbeats.
I leave the office and walk to the car. When I return a few minutes later, the dark-blue booklet goes straight under the photocopier. Sergei files the passport with the NDA before walking out with the folder. Something about that bothers me more than the contract itself. They’re putting together a file on me.
A little later, we rejoin the group. I figure Cheryl must’ve filled them in on Jay’s decision, because most of them look relieved it didn’t blow up. I know I am.
“Go ahead, spend some time with your family. We’ll talk later.”
“Thanks, love. I’m sorry about all this. Again. I shouldn’t have brought you here. It was a mistake.”
“Hey, remember what I said this morning. I want to be here.”
“You certainly made a good first impression.”
I wonder if he thinks I did it on purpose, picking bourbon to provoke Jay. Secretly, I kind of like that idea. Maybe that’s why I don’t feel like clearing it up.
“Tell me, who should I talk to first? And who should I steer clear of?”
He nods toward a small group at the bar. “Alex is your type, he’s in med school. Luca’s good for sports talk. Eli, the one pouring drinks, is easygoing, you’ll find him hilarious. Joan when she’s drunk? Avoid. But you’ve already had that privilege. Finn, avoid both sober and drunk—he’ll lure you into the pantry under false pretenses. Jay and Janice will corner you the first chance they get. Cheryl’s nice, but she’ll always back Jay up. Auntie Mary, Calvin’s aunt, runs the house, always looking after everyone.”
“Okay, got it.”
The bar feels like the safest place to start, so I make a beeline for it and slide onto a stool.
“Hey, Eli.” I try not to sound too awkward.
Eli polishes a glass and holds it up to the light. “Look at you, heading straight for the bar. Smart move. Can I pour you a Scotch?”
He and Alex burst out laughing.
I raise my hands. “Okay, okay. I know, worst entrance ever. Forgive me. I’ve got a lot to learn. Water, please.”
Alex turns to me. “I have to admit, you’re brave. An outsider at Heatherfell? This Christmas is getting interesting.”
Eli laughs. “Maybe we should invite an outsider every year, see if they make it to the end.”
Outsider. Outsider. Outsider. The word keeps bouncing in my head.
“I’m sorry, we don’t want to scare you off. Your name’s Yosh, right?” Alex asks.
I nod and shake his hand. “That’s right.”
“Alex, once again.”
“Lots of new faces at once, but I remembered yours, Alex.”
Eli slides a glass of water to me.
They seem like chill guys, just like Tom said. Luca appears a moment later, draping a muscled arm around Alex’s shoulders. Alex hands him his drink.
They share the glass. That’s… odd. So it’s not just Tom and Joan. They all act like they’re glued together. I can only imagine what happens when one of them gets herpes.
“You two seem close,” I say.
