CLAIRE

I brought the food to the table, plating everything carefully, the chicken looked amazing, the vegetables were perfectly roasted. "This smells incredible," Julian said.

"Blake helped," I added.

"Blake helped cook?" Julian asked, looking at Blake with mock suspicion. "Who are you and what did you do with my friend?"

"I chopped vegetables," Blake said defensively. "It's not that impressive."

"It's very impressive," Julian countered. "I've never seen you voluntarily help in a kitchen."

"There's a first time for everything," Blake replied.

We started eating, the conversation flowing easily. Julian told us about rescheduling his afternoon meetings, the minor panic it had caused.

"My assistant thought I was sick,"...