Page 74 of Her Three Tech Bros

After a while, the waiter comes back in to clear our plates.

“Would anyone like dessert?” he asks.

“Actually, can we get tiramisu for the table?” I say. There’s nothing tiramisu can’t fix.

“Yes, sir.”

“You and your desserts. You know, I’ve never met someone with a sweet tooth as big as Ryan’s,” Jade says, looking at my mom.

“Oh, you’re telling me! This boy used to eat cake for breakfast growing up.”

A few of us laugh, and the topic leads into more discussions around the table about our favorite desserts. By the time we’ve all eaten our tiramisu, the atmosphere has completely changed.

Ethan’s brother has been nudging his mom to participate in the conversations. Logan’s dad still hasn’t said anything, but his mom doesn’t seem to care and neither does his sister. My dad also remains practically mute, but my mom seems to like Jade a lot. I ignore Chris completely, no longer caring what he thinks.

We all get up and say our goodbyes to our families, but the four of us hang back in the room as they all filter out. For a moment, we’re all silent.

“It’s over,” Jade says finally.

“It’s over,” Logan repeats.

“Thank fucking God,” Ethan says.

“For a minute, I thought you guys were going to storm out of here,” Jade remarks. “But I’m proud of you for holding it together.”

“A few more dinners like that, and maybe things will almost feel normal,” I say.

“You mean we have to do that again?” Logan asks, looking exasperated.

“Unfortunately.”

“It’ll get better. I know it will,” Jade says, a huge smile on her face. “And we have each other, so how bad could it really be?”

I walk up to her and pull her into my arms. What would I do without her? Her optimism surprises me every day.

“I’m so sorry for the things they said to you, sunshine. I hated every minute of it,” I whisper.

“It’s okay. I’m okay, really. But your brother is an ass.”

I laugh. “Well, we don’t have to invite him next time. Fuck him.”

Ethan and Logan join our hug, and we all stand like this for a while.

“So are you guys ready to meet my parents now?” Jade asks.

“No!” we all say, before laughing.

It’s not that we don’t want to meet them, and she knows that. Of course, we do. But I’m not sure I’m ready to face Mr. Williams just yet. From what she’s told us, he won’t be much better than our families were.

“Soon,” I say after a moment. “But not for a while.”

Everyone nods their heads in agreement.

Despite this dinner being nearly a disaster, I don’t feel the least bit discouraged. Not when it comes to Jade. After everything we’ve been through, I don’t think anything could make me doubt this relationship ever again.

33

ETHAN

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