Page 24 of Stay

Between us and Lar and Mar, we’re bordering on weirdly welcoming.

Sofie

Oh God. We’re a lot, aren’t we? We can take five steps back if you need. LOL

My face aches a little from smiling so hard and I type back.

Not scared even a little bit. I’ve been in the grocery store and I can’t even tell you how happy this group chat just made me. How’s this for too much? In my four years at Georgetown, I never felt like I connected with friends as much as I did in the short time we were together last night. I’m really happy to be here. And guess who else I just met? Pappy and Cecil! Pappy is a dreamboat and Cecil is a wealth of information.

Scarlett

Sniff. That warmed my heart and I’m the hard-hearted one in this group. Pappy! One of the main reasons I’m dating Jamison is because of Pappy. Kidding, but he’s a huge bonus. We adore him. And Cecil too! I snorted about Cecil’s wealth of information. I think he gossips more than The Golden Girls—that’s Grinny and her girlfriends Helen and Peg. You just wait. You’ll fall hard when you meet them too.

It finally clicks as I’m reading it, still smiling like a fool.Jamison’sgrandpa. That’s how Pappy’s connected.

Marlow

I vote we have a night at The Dancing Emu soon. We can make sure everyone’s there to meet Felicity.

Color me intrigued. The Dancing Emu?

Sofie

It’s Ruby’s Uncle Pierre’s place and you’ll love it. Good food, crazy fun vibes, and karaoke.

I have a hard time imagining Sutton…or Callum…or Wyatt doing karaoke. Theo and Jamison, maybe?

Sofie

Nailed it.

Ruby

Sorry I keep taking forever to respond! Apparently, I had peanut butter on my jacket. I couldn’t figure out why Delphine and Irene wouldn’t leave me alone. They chased me for a MILE before Dolly stepped in and blocked them! Once she started drumming at them, it got the others going, and I swear it sounded like a drum corps on steroids.

I stare at this one for a couple of minutes, trying to decipher what it could possibly mean.

Marlow

Interpretation for you, Felicity. Delphine: Callum’s naughty goat who’s obsessed with peanut butter…and Callum. Irene: Callum’s cow who can’t seem to say no to Delphine’s peer pressure. Dolly: Ruby’s emu and number one stan.

Ruby

Oops, my bad. What Marlow said. LOL

I had no idea Landmark Mountain would provide such endless entertainment.

Scarlett

Stick around. We’re just getting started.

Oh, while I have everyone…can you tell me what Sunny Side bets are? I thought that’s where Sutton got our burgers and shakes the other night…

Marlow

I’ll let you take it, Scarlett or Sofie. LOL

Sofie