Page 145 of Torin

“Of course you were.”

He reaches into the truck for the other suitcase.

I follow Alexandria inside.

The table is covered with food: a huge dish still bubbling around the edges, roasted potatoes with lemon and herbs, salad, warm flatbread, dips, and a plate piled with crisp golden pastries.

“Oh my God. What did you make?”

Alexandria smiles. “Moussaka. Spanakopita. A few other things. I got inspired by our vacation.”

Behind us, Gunnar laughs. “She’s been cooking since lunchtime.”

Alexandria turns her head. “Nobody asked you.”

“I’m just providing context.”

She rolls her eyes. “I like to keep busy when I’m nervous.”

“Thank you,” I say quietly.

She gives my arm a squeeze. “Just glad you’re back.”

“Can I help?”

She gives me a fierce look. “Definitely not.”

Orson reaches for a spanakopita.

Alexandria points a finger at him. “Don’t even think about it.”

He pulls his hand back.

I bite back a laugh and sit down.

Once everyone is at the table, Alexandria cuts into the moussaka and serves me a thick piece.

“Tell me if it’s terrible. I’ve never made moussaka before.”

I take a bite. The top is creamy and golden, with layers of eggplant, meat and tomato underneath.

“Oh, wow.”

Alexandria watches me. “Really?”

“Really. This is amazing.”

She looks pleased and finally starts serving herself.

For a while, I eat contentedly. Gunnar and Alexandria are talking about something that happened while we were gone. Orson has finally been permitted his spanakopita and is making short work of it. Beside me, Torin reaches for the potatoes and puts a couple more on my plate when he sees mine are gone.

A few days ago, I barely knew these people. Now Alexandria has spent half the day cooking because she was worried about me. Orson lit up when I said I was staying. Gunnar hugged me when I arrived.

Beneath the table, Torin puts his hand on my knee.

I cover it with mine.

By the time we finish eating, I’m so full I can barely move.