I looked at Jake through the rearview mirror critically. I’d never seen him so nervous. Beside me in shotgun, Jake’s cousin from Florida sighed loudly, “Cuz, you look fine. Stop touching your hair like that, you’ll make it greasy!” Jake blushed, “Sorry Jira, and you Jesse, about this. I’m just—”
“Really nervous,” I finished for him.
“Turn left here,” Jira instructed, looking at the Google map directions. I turned my Camry Solara down the street, glancing back at Jake again, who was still fidgeting.
“Really man, it’s ok. Me and Jira can get to know each other and you can chat it up with Anima,” I repeated for the fourth time. “Pity her name doesn’t start with a J,” I mused. Jake looked at me strangely through the mirror, “We’d all be J’s then,” I explained.
Jake sighed, drumming his fingers. “Cuz, if you don’t stop touching your hair we’re turning back now,” threatened Jira as Jake ran his hands through his hair again.
Jake merely sighed again as I sidled my convertible up to Anima’s house.
“Good luck.”