The Interview • Chris Evans

The Interview, Take Two

"Jokes on you, not only were you not fired, but now you're never getting rid of us."

Carson's words were muttered so faintly, you almost didn't hear them. "I wouldn't dream of it."

Embarrassingly, a few pricks of moisture pooled at the corners of your eyes. You blinked them away before they could become anything more, but you patted Carson on the arm regardless. It really was hard to believe how in two short years, you'd gone from being alone in a city you were still getting to know, to having a group of friends who were a lot more like family. It was more than you'd ever dared hope for yourself.

The rest of the drive into Boston passed in companionable silence, other than the soft sounds of music playing from the radio that Carson occasionally hummed along to. Every few minutes you checked your phone, trying to hold back the nervous energy that something might be wrong at home. But Seb and Anthony would call you if they needed anything. You held onto that as you breathed through the discomfort of being away from Theo.

Your phone pinged and you had it swiped open before you could even take in a breath, though your body relaxed immediately as you looked down at the screen. Anthony had texted you a photo; in it, Theo had a vice grip on Seb's hair that he'd been growing out, his face scrunched up as he tried to dislodge the strands from Theo's tiny fists as your son laughed. A second later a second message popped up, just a few simple words that made you chuckle. Told him I'm the favourite.

Carson peered over as you tilted the phone screen to him, and he winced as he ran a hand through his mess of blond hair.

"Is this why you've taken a liking to manbuns recently?" You teased, eyeing his mess of curly hair that was down for the first time in a while.

"He is a very strong child," was all Carson said, and you couldn't help but agree. You'd been on the receiving end of those hair pulls before too.

A few minutes later the car rolled to a stop in front of the Boston Park Plaza, Carson hopping out and walking around to open your door. You waited for him because you knew he'd scowl at you something fierce if you didn't.

You tugged your coat tighter around your body as you stepped out of the car to stave off the cold, though considering the few snowflakes that were lazily drifting down, you knew the evening would be fairly mild.

Before you could even fully look up, a solid mass collided with you, the familiar weight of Ro's arms squeezing you tight. You hugged her back, both of you clinging to the other as though it hadn't been just a over a month since you last saw her.

Ever since Theo was born, Ro made an effort to be around a lot more. She claimed she had travel points she needed to use up, but you saw the way her face lit up every time Theo reached for her. She'd fit into the role of auntie without hesitation, and it made your chest tight to think about it. You had known it would take something special for Ro to forego her ban on Boston in the winters. Theo was certainly something special.

"Ugh you look gorgeous, I hate you," she groaned, leaning back and eyeing your outfit, and the done-up hair and makeup that felt out of place.

You were out of practice with getting ready like this, and you nervously tugged on the hem of your dress that was riding up your thigh. It wasn't anything fancy, not really, but the tight black dress with plunging cleavage was a far cry from comfy sweats covered in Theo's last meal.

Ro looked fantastic as always, her green dress complementing her perfectly. She wrapped your arm in hers, tugging you away from Carson with a playful scowl in his direction. They were clearly friends, but neither would give up the bit and admit to it.

"I found this fantastic little Italian place right off the park. It's got a wall of windows and looks over the entire common," she said as you walked down the busy street. "It's also got a killer bar."