inkspresso

love you

Zach enters the coffee shop with a huge smile on his face. He pauses when he sees that Jack's family, not including him, was all reunited on the coffee shop. He looks back at the door and sees that the sign had the open side turned to the inside of the shop.

"O-Oh, I'm sorry, I thought it was open."

The women share a look and nod at each other. "Have a seat, darling." Kristin pushes a chair for him to sit.

Zach hesitantly takes a seat. "Is everything okay? Where's Jack?"

Kristin holds his hand. "Jack can't be a part of this." Her tone is quiet and serious.

Ava then speaks: "We're planning a day for us, girls, and we were wondering if you wanted to join us?"

The brunet smiles. "What do you do on this day?"

Ava grins and practically vibrates with excitement as she gets ready to tell him all about it. "We get our nails done, right? Then, we buy, like, really hot outfits and we get, like, tattoos or piercings done and then -"

"We go to an axe throwing place because that way Isla can participate, and we just look hot while doing it." Sydney actually looks excited for once.

"And Jack?"

They shrug. "He usually stays at home doing god knows what."

"Doesn't he bake a cake or something?" Ava asks.

Zach furrows his eyebrows, and he remembers what Jack does when he's home alone. Remember? He eats cake while naked. He tries keeping a straight face. "And when would that be?"

"Uhm, we were thinking this Saturday." Kristin crosses her arms. "Right, girls?"

They all make some sort of sound in agreement.

"You should totally come." Ava nudges him.

"But isn't it, like, a family thing of yours? I don't wanna intrude -"

Sydney scoffs. "Dude, if we're inviting you, it's because we want you there."

He nods. "Only if you celebrate my birthday with me on Sunday."

They all pause.

"What?" Kristin's eyes go wide. "On Sunday?"

"And you didn't tell us anything beforehand?" Ava scoffs. "The audacity."

"I just didn't think it's that important." He shrugs.

Kristin scoffs. "Not important, my ass." She hits his arm lightly. "You watch how you speak on yourself, young man."

Zach fiddles with his fingers. "I just never celebrated it much." He shrugs. "I was thinking you could come over to my place, and I'd make us some food, and we could just -"

"Oh, leave everything to us." Ava interrupts. "We'll throw you the best party ever." She beams.

He nods with a small smile.

"So... will you come to our day or?"

"Uhmm, duh!" He smiles.

"Great! It's a date!" Isla squeals.

"Oh, uhm, is Jack home? I have to tell him something."

Kristin checks her wristwatch. "He must be coming back from the gym any time now." She looks up at him. "Is everything okay?"

He nods excitedly. "Maybe I should just call him and tell you guys at the same time." He grabs his phone and dials his number.

"Hey there, pretty." Jack greets him as he picks up.