Page 552 of End Game

“That isn't how math works.”

“It is how hospitality works.”

Mom and Luke arrive together.

Mom is holding brownies.

Of course she is.

Luke has a twelve-pack of soda under one arm.

“I'm contributing,” he announces.

Dex appears behind me. “I like him already.”

Introductions are easier than I expected.

Ronan shakes Mom's hand and confirms that they have, in fact, met briefly before.

She remembers once he gives her context.

Micah is quieter, polite without trying too hard.

Dex manages to behave for almost forty-five seconds.

Then he opens the wild card pizza.

Mom stares at it. “What is that?”

“Tradition,” Dex says.

Luke peers over her shoulder. “Pineapple?”

“And jalapeño,” Micah says.

“And black olive,” Cami adds.

Mom looks personally betrayed.

Luke takes a slice.

“You're seriously eating that?” she asks.

“I'm forty years old.”

“Thirty-nine,” I correct.

“Whatever. Old enough to make mistakes.”

He takes a bite.

Everyone watches him.

He chews.

Then reaches for another slice.

Dex slaps both hands on the counter. “YES.”