(Michelle's POV & Andy's POV & Steven's POV)
The restaurant Andy suggested was a block away from the museum—warm lighting, rustic brick walls, vintage posters, and long wooden tables polished to a soft glow. It was cozy, the kind of place where conversations overlapped in mellow hums instead of echoes.
The hostess pushed three tables together for us.
Vince called out dramatically, "BEHOLD. A FEAST FOR KINGS…"
Then paused.
"…and for Steven, who eats like a rabbit."
Steven didn't look up from the menu. "At least I don't sound like one."
Vince gasped. "AND THE MAN SPEAKS."
Jeff snorted.
I exhaled. This already felt chaotic.
We took our seats:
Steven sat beside Lara.
I sat across from them because that's where Anthony quietly gestured me to sit.
Jasmine immediately slid into the seat beside Anthony, all glossy hair and sweet perfume.
Vince plopped beside me.
Jeff on his other side.
Kate beside me on the left.
Andy took the seat across from Kate, diagonally from mine.
