blue eyes

Chapter 10

 "Okay, let's get down to business," Esther said, cracking their knuckles dramatically.

"I thought you said this was just a party," Sam looked at Zoe frantically.

"Easy tiger," Esther held up their hands. "I do have an agenda tonight, but it's just to get to know you better, okay?"

Sam sighed, relaxing back in their seat. Zoe gave them a thumbs up, then nodded at Esther.

"Alright, Sam," Esther said. "Tell me your story."

"I thought you read my book already," Sam frowned.

"I definitely read that story," Esther replied. "And also the centaurs' story. I want to know who you are, as much or as little as you want to tell me."

"Oh," Sam blushed. "Well, I was born just outside Seoul, but my family moved here when I was three, so I don't remember much before that..."

Sam had recounted their personal life and literary pursuits up to middle school before they took a brief intermission when the cheese bread arrived.

"Oh my god, Zoe," Esther groaned. "This is stupid. Why have you held out on me all these years? I thought we were friends."

"Same, actually," Sam said with their mouth full.

"I don't want the secret getting out," Zoe replied. "Just like with the Yelp reviews. In fact, I'm making you both sign NDAs before we leave."

Sam and Esther laughed, but froze when Zoe looked at them with a serious look on her face. The table was quiet for a few seconds before Zoe cracked up, too.

"I am serious about keeping this hush hush, though," Zoe said, looking mostly at Esther. "You've got a massive following. I don't want to have to compete for a table on my birthday in a few months."

"Aye aye, captain," Esther saluted.

"Pinky promise," Sam replied, holding up their greasy pinky.

Zoe took Sam's pinky in hers, then waited for Esther to join. After locking eyes with both of them, Zoe released their pinkies and they all resumed demolishing the cheese bread.

"So, middle school," Esther said in between bites. "Is that when you came out?"

"To my parents and brother, yes," Sam nodded. "But not at school."

Sam continued with their story until the main course arrived, then chaos erupted.

"Okay, now I need pictures," Esther said, whipping out their phone. "This is insane. How do they expect us to eat it all?"

"They don't," Zoe laughed. "Their portions are designed to include leftovers for tomorrow."

"I'm sorry," Sam said. "Have we died and gone to heaven?"

"Nope," Zoe smiled. "This is real life. Don't forget to save room for tiramisu."

Zoe stood and served up the plates quickly. For a while the only words spoken at the table by the porthole were groans about how good the food was. Mario Jr came back to check on them and refilled all of their glasses of champagne. The three of them gestured their thanks, since their mouths were full.

"I'll be back to pack everything up in a bit," Mario Jr said on his way out. "Are we splitting all three equally?"

"Sam gets all the lasagna," Zoe said once her mouth was finally empty. "They're in love. Esther and I will split the other two. Is that good with you two?"