Page 24 of All In

Payton: Come on, guys. Knock it off. I want to know about Leo’s kissing stranger.

I sit on the edge of the hotel bed, phone in hand, watching them spiral without me, which is honestly the most relaxing part of my day so far.

Payton: Is she pretty?

Me: Beautiful. Funny. Smart. So talented. She makes her own costumes by hand.

Me: We had dinner. Pizza. Talked for two hours. I just kissed her goodnight in the lobby.

Henry: Hold up. Leo, you’ve known this woman for only the one day.

Me: I’m aware of the timeline, Henry.

Payton: I don’t care about the timeline I want to know if you’re going to see her again?

Me: Breakfast tomorrow. Then probably the rest of the convention. We’re both here through Sunday.

Oliver: So this is escalating…

Me: It’s a convention, Oliver. It has a clock built in. Things move fast here.

Henry: So the initial kiss. The fake boyfriend routine. Dinner where you talked for two hours and then you kissed her goodnight.

Payton: Don’t forget they made plans for breakfast.

Henry: All suggests that you really like her.

Payton: Are you in LOVE?

Me: It’s day one.

Payton: That’s not a no.

Henry: Oliver fell in a single night.

Oliver: Can we not use my timeline as the benchmark for reckless romantic decisions?

Henry: I’m just providing context.

Oliver: So helpful.

Me: I’m going to bed. Some of us have a panel schedule to keep.

Payton: Wait what’s her name?

I look at that question for a second, feeling something settle warm and certain in my chest before I type it.

Me: Juniper.

Payton: that’s a really pretty name

Payton: Leo and Juniper

Payton: LEO AND JUNIPER

Oliver: Oh no.

Henry: Payton, don’t.