Her

65

PHOENIX

Saturday. One hour before the dinner. Video chatting with Aza.

"...And my father's last name -"

"- is Vos, I know. Your mum changed your names after the divorce, and Phoenix Vos is the name you use whenever you go to castings because you fear they'll favour you if they know you're Célia LeFlore's daughter. I know."

"Did you give your girlfriend a book with your whole life story or something?" Cass says.

"Of course not," I say.

"Pretty much," Aza says.

Ky laughs.

"I gave her some information she might need to survive this dinner, that's all."

"You make meeting your parents sound like a dangerous mission or something," Ky says.

"It pretty much is. I'm still surprised, and slightly concerned, that Aze really wants to do it. She's pretty much putting her life on the line."

"I'm so glad I'm not your boyfriend anymore."

"You never were," Aza says.

"Fortunately," I say. "Babe, have you picked an outfit yet?"

"I have. As promised, I'm going to wear the best outfit possible."

"Naked?"

"Ew," Ky says.

"No, idiot," Aza says. "Cass is giving me a dress of hers, since I don't own fancy clothes."

"So it's fancy? Is it chic?"

"It's extremely short, and it has an extremely deep neckline. And it's extremely tight."

"Perfect."

"You guys are joking," Ky says. "Right?"

"Of course not," I say. "Obviously I want my parents to think that my girlfriend is a prostitute."

"I hate you."

"Thanks."

"It's chic," Aza says. "Not extremely, but a little."

"Good," I say. "You know I don't care about what you wear. I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable because everyone is wearing something fancy except you."

"And wearing fancy stuff, which is something Aze never does," Ky says, "means she will not feel uncomfortable at all. Right."

"Well, being with Nix, which is someone and something I love," Aza says, "means I won't be able to feel uncomfortable."

"Also means Nix won't be able to leave you alone," Cass says. "Meaning she can't go to the bathroom or anything like that because then you'll be alone with her family. She'll have to pretty much glue herself to you."

"I'd be pretty fine with that," I say.

"Like I said," Ky says, "I'm so glad I'm not your boyfriend anymore."

"Shut up. I won't leave Aze alone with my family anyway. I don't want my dad to kill her."

"I sincerely hope you're joking," Cass says.

"I'm not," I say.

"She's not," Aza says.

"Sounds like this dinner will be fun," Ky says.

"It definitely will be," I say. "The only reason why my dad agreed to it is Maise."

"Your little sister?"