She invited Derek.

Not me.

When he showed me the invitation, he frowned.

“I’m not going.”

I smiled.

“Actually, I think you should.”

He stared at me, confused, but I already had a plan.

Half an hour after the barbecue started, I walked into Vanessa’s yard uninvited, carrying a large gift box.

The conversations around us slowly stopped.

Vanessa’s smile tightened.

“What are you doing here?”

“I brought the hostess a gift.”

I placed the box in front of her.

“Go ahead.