Ashley grins widely. “Well, how about that! Congratulations! Come on in, lunch is almost ready.”
We follow Ashley and Charli into the kitchen, where Ashley’s mom, Angela, is tending to something on the stove.
“Hey, Mom, Oliver and his girl—I mean, his partner—are here!” Ashley mouths an apology to Jude before washing her hands in the sink.
Angela turns around and beams. “Hi, Oliver! Come give me a hug!”
I obey, tugging Jude along behind me. “This is Jude. They use they/them pronouns, like my friend Wren.”
Angela nods. “It’s lovely to meet you, Jude! I’m Angela. Please forgive me if I get anything wrong. I promise I’m trying, but sometimes the old noggin doesn’t keep up as well as it used to.”
“I completely understand,” Jude replies, a genuine smile on their face. “I really appreciate it.”
“Oliver, can you come help me with the potatoes?” Ashley asks.
“Absolutely,” I say, heading to the sink to wash my hands.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Jude inquires.
“You can pour yourself a drink and relax, darling,” Angela says. “You’re our guest.”
Jude smiles nervously, but complies, settling in at the breakfast nook. “Oh, hello,” I hear them exclaim a moment later.
I turn to see our cat Cookie rubbing against Jude’s legs, tail raised straight up in the air. Jude bends down to let Cookie sniff their hand, and Cookie eagerly licks Jude’s fingers.
“Aww, she likes you!” Charli remarks.
“Well, I like her, too!” Jude says, scratching under Cookie’s chin. I’m not close enough to hear, but I’m certain Cookie is purring loudly.
Lunch is ready soon after, and Ashley sends Charli to gather the rest of the family so we can eat. As soon as everyone congregates in the small kitchen, I clear my throat. “Everyone, this is my partner, Jude. They use ‘they/them’ pronouns. And before anyone asks, I never lied when I said we were just friends, because Jude and I just became an official couple today.”
“Fantastic!” Dad says. “Jude, it’s lovely to meet you. I’m Tom.”
Ashley’s father gives a polite nod. “And I’m Rick—Ashley’s dad.”
Jude shakes hands with both of them. “Thank you for having me.”
Bella has been staring at Jude from the moment she walked into the kitchen, expression indecipherable. Charli elbows her, stirring Bella out of her daze. “Hi,” Bella says nervously. “I’m Bella.”
“Hey, Bella,” Jude says with a sweet smile. “I’ve heard so much about you and Charli.”
Bella returns Jude’s smile, but it’s awkward and shy. Weird—Bella’s usually so confident and feisty. What’s gotten into her today?
Oh.Oh my God, Bella’s flustered. She finds Jude attractive.
Bella thinks my partner is hot.Ha!This is amazing. I can’t wait to tease her about it later tonight.
“Now that introductions are out of the way,” Tom declares. “Let’s say ‘grace’ so we can eat. Charli, would you do the honors?”
Charli nods. Jude bows their head and closes their eyes just in time for Charli to start: “Good bread, good meat, good God, let's eat!”
Everyone shouts “Amen!” in unison.
Jude’s eyes fly open in shock, then they giggle. “Okay, that’s amazing.”
“Told ya,” I say softly. “My family’s pretty cool.”
Jude nods. “You were right.”
