Brigid can’t help but laugh. “I think I said the same thing to him the second time I met him.” She grins. “I apologized for Carlos. He said Senora Montoya already said the same thing.” Brigid shrugs. “But he’s still been my best friend for years. If his mother can’t be here, he had to at least. Or they’d never let me forget it.”

She leans her head against Derek’s shoulder, glad for the closeness. Brigid’s always been quietly tactile with people, and while she hasn’t really had that the last few years, It’s nice to be able to take advantage of it again.

Hopefully, Isaac won’t find it too uncomfortable.

“Should I put dinner together?” She asks, looking between the two.