“So, um. Are there questions? Like, do you have to ask me anything? Can I join your pack?”

I smile at Steve. “I probably should ask a few questions,” I say. “More to get to know you than anything else. Have you met the others yet? Freddy, Greg, and Helliot? They’re probably getting us a table right now. Would you like to join us?”

“I’d love to,” he says.

I take him to the table, and watch everyone’s reactions. Not just how they ...