Page 76 of Cosplay & Consequences

“And you’re saying he’s reading the books?” Dad asked.

“Yes! Like, fervently. Any downtime he has, he’s had his nose in the books. He’s quoting them all the time!”

My mom always knew when I was up to something. Her smile widened.

“It sounds like the two of you have gotten close?” Her tone was teasing. My cheeks started to burn.

How was I supposed to respond to that? Well Mom and Dad, he railed me really good the night we met so…

Dad, of course, was oblivious. “Well, Sweetie, I’ve seen his performance at the interview you did, and his trailer was amazing. Granted, nobody really knows your connection to Nana, but I trust your judgement.”

“Will we get to meet this young man?” Mom asked.

“Why would we be meeting him?” Dad. Completely and hopelessly oblivious.

“Hey, I got to run! Great talking to you guys!” I called out and ended the call before Mom ruined the moment.

Brayonna stared at the bowl of soup in front of her. “Seriously. You. You ate this?”

I had spent the entire time leading up to our final panel on minority representation in fantasy genres with Bray, raving about Kao’s. Since I already had plans to meet Danny for dinner and the restaurant was halfway between where Bray and I lived, I convinced her to meet me there for lunch so I could show her how good it was.

She held up a spoon full of delicious broth with a tentacle hanging from it. “Jess. This is a tentacle.”

“I know,” I said laughing. “I had this the other night.”

“You, of all people, ate a tentacle.” Bray shook her head at me like I had lost my mind.

“Just try it.”

Bray frowned before she sucked the broth and a tentacle in her mouth. Her face lit up in surprise. “Holy fuck!”

“I know right?”

“This is so fucking good!” Bray exclaimed as she dove back into the soup. “I mean, I am seeing shrimp in here with their damn heads still on, and I do not give a shit.”

I laughed as I turned my attention to my own bowl, savoring each spoonful. A snort of amusement came from Bray. “Okay, what’s so funny?” I asked.

Bray sucked down another tentacle and waved her spoon at me. “I’d ask what happened to you, but I know what’s going on. And I approve.”

“What do you mean, you approve?” I scoffed.

Bray leaned into the table, dropping her sassy mood. It was always weird when she shifted into a serious conversation. “We’ve been friends for years. You have played at my table. We have gone on trips together. I have lived through your multiple boyfriends and breakups. Never once would you have considered eating something like this. Until him.”

“I’m not that picky.” It was a lie. I’m totally picky.

Bray raised her eyebrows at me.

“I’ve seen you reject a dino chicken nugget, because it wasn’t dinosaur enough. Now you’re eating tentacles. We’ve gone on double dates to the fanciest of restaurants, and you ordered from the kid’s menu.”

“That was the one time!”

Bray pursed her lips and glared at me. It was definitely more than one time.

“Okay. That’s fair,” I acquiesced. “So, what are you saying?”

She put her spoon down in the bowl, leaning her chin on her folded hands. “I’m saying that you’ve known this man for a few days, and he’s changed you. And you’ve changed him. Both for the better. And I approve.”

I sat there, mulling her words over in my head. “You really think I’ve changed him?” I asked. It had been a few days of us being together. I didn’t think I’d ever have any impact on anyone in that short of time. Previous experiences had shown me that change was impossible for the people I’ve dated. I had let my emotions overlook their faults. Was Danny different?