I opened the door wider with a smile.

“Come in, buddy! My best friend! We were just about to eat.”

His expression was exhausted. Jess looked like she was about to collapse. I stepped aside and gestured at the table like a game show host.

“The food’s hot. I don’t want it to get cold.”

They followed me inside.

“I told him, this is going to be fun!” she muttered, spooning potatoes onto her plate like it was Christmas.

Adam sat down stiffly, visibly drenched in sweat. Jess avoided my gaze as she sat down.

“So,” I began, sitting opposite him. “Long time no see. Have you been busy?”

“Yeah,” he said. “Work’s been super stressful.”

“Sure. But you’re not too busy to drop by, are you?”

“What do you mean?” Adam asked.

“Oh, nothing. I just heard you were here. You brought chocolates. We went out to eat together. We spent time together.”

Jess jumped in too quickly.

“He only came by once or twice. Lily loves visitors. You know how she is.”

“Only once or twice?” I asked.

“Maybe… three times,” he exclaimed. “It wasn’t a big deal.”

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