Page 71 of Her Three Tech Bros

I finally find my voice, now that someone’s actually addressed me directly.

“Nice to meet you, Henry. Thank you for keeping an open mind.”

“So what, you’re gay now?” Ryan’s brother says from across the table, looking at Ryan with disgust.

Ryan meets my eyes, and I can see how hard he’s trying to hold it together. As he looks at me, I decide that it’s time for me to speak up for my men. I can’t just sit here and listen to this.

“No, your brother is not gay,” I say, narrowing my eyes at his brother. “And if you had bothered to speak to him about this, then you would know that.”

I pause, realizing something.

“But you know what? Even if he was gay, who fucking cares?” I stand up, pushing my seat back and looking at everyone. “You guys are the ones who should be ashamed of yourselves, not us.”

With that, I head towards the door.

“I need to use the restroom,” I say, reaching for the handle.

“I’ll go with you,” a voice says from behind me. I turn around to see Logan’s sister.

She follows me out of the private room and to the bathroom. Once inside, I lean against the sink and let out a breath.

“I’m sorry. That was just a lot. I don’t usually explode like that,” I tell her.

“It’s okay. I would’ve said much worse in your position. I don’t know what everyone’s problem is.”

“What’s your name? I’m sorry, I know Logan told me, but with all of the stress, I forgot.”

“It’s okay, I’m Penny.” She smiles at me, and her eyes look so much like Logan’s that I can’t help but smile back.

“Your brother is amazing,” I tell her. “I’d sit through a million more dinners like this for him.”

“He is pretty great. I’m glad he has someone like you. It’s about time he found someone good. He’s always had such bad luck in finding genuine girls.”

I sigh again, turning around to look at myself in the mirror. I look as sad as I feel.

“I guess we should get back out there,” I say.

“Yeah. But look, I’ve got your back, okay?”

I nod and thank her before exiting the bathroom. As soon as I walk back into the room, I feel the tension immediately. Logan looks at me questioningly, so I shoot him a reassuring smile.

A waiter comes in to take our orders, but I’m so flustered that I just order the first thing I see on the menu. I’m not even sure what it is. Once the waiter leaves, the silence returns.

“So Jade,” Penny says after a couple of minutes. “What do you do for work?”

Ryan’s brother scoffs. I ignore him and turn to Penny.

“I work at a marketing firm in LA. I just moved here from Colorado not that long ago.”

“Oh, wow. Is it a lot different here than back home?”

“So different but in a good way. I’m still getting used to it, though.”

“I bet. I can’t imagine moving that far away from my family. It must be hard.”

“It is, but I can fly back to see them any time or invite them here. Plus we talk on the phone all the time.”

“Do you –”

---