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Jeff: I was thinking, maybe we could do a double date with Dillon

Stella: Damian

Jeff: Right What’s the nairl you brought to Thanksgiving? Kelsey?

He got her na how Kelsey had been spending birthdays and holidays with us for the past three years She land on her own years back to try to start her acting career, and I instantly connected with her She needed a family, and I was more than happy to invite her into my little world

Stella: Yeah, that’s her

Jeff: You said she was single How about a blind date setup?

Stella: Oh gosh, no I don’t even knohat type of guy Kelsey’s into

Jeff: I’ve seen that guy Any wo anyone What’s the big deal about inviting Kelsey, too? Unless there’s a reason you don’t want hi someone else

What in the world did he e, but I hated arguing over textway So, I rolled it off my shoulders until we’d be able to talk about it in person

Stella: Of course not I’ll have to see if it’s so he’d be interested in

Jeff: I’ll make a reservation for four

I told him to hold off on the reservation until I asked Damian if he’d be okay with the plan, but Jeff went ahead and set it up anyway, saying he’d change it to three if need be

Jeff: I’ll pick you all up on Wednesday night Then you’re co home with me

I didn’t say anything in response because I could tell he was in an odd mood

“Hi there,” I said, crossing paths with Damian as he was about to wash a load of clothes

“Hello” He glanced down at the basket of laundry in my hands “I can remove my stuff if you want to wash yours first,” he offered

“Oh, no It’s fine” I waved hilad I crossed paths with you I was hoping I could ask you so”

“Shoot”

“Will you do dinner with Jeff and me? He wants to reintroduce himself formally Soberly That way, you’ll see that he’s not as awful as he presented himself to be that first time”

“First iet”

“Yes, but a lot of people are bad at first auditions That’s why there are callbacks”

“Okay”

I arched an eyebrow “What?”

“I said okay I’ll do it”

“Really?” I asked, shocked That was ht it would be

“If that’s what you need to be comfortable in this situation, then I will do it”

“It’s mostly for his comfort, which is important to me So, yes His comfort makes me comfortable”

“What makes you comfortable outside of others?”

I narrowed my eyes “What do you mean?”

“Never mind”

“No—”

“Never ave h reason not to push, especially since I was already preparing to ask for another request

“Right Okay Also, there’s one ether and prayed Damian wouldn’t snap at me “It’s kind of a double date if you’re okay with that?”