This is Life Pal

t of place against the sleek black cars lined up at the entrance. The hotel screamed luxu

doorman stepped forward and opened the door with a pr

ally. "Oh. My. Gosh. Mo

s inside. "Are we rich?" he whispered, like

th a mix of awe and hesitation. "Mom... this

ids are meant for small things? You deserve even

citement. "Does that mean I get to eat anyt

ed. "Oh, we're

taircase, a familiar voice called d

oe already there, waving from the sta

coolest," Zoe said, smirk

es, but a small smil

d, clapping her hands together. "Let's

be scary sometimes, but most

with school, but when it's t

reluctance. "Alright, alright. W

ures, and tables set with more forks than any reasonable person need

occupied, he held his phone to his ear, nodding slightly as he listened. His other hand rested casually in his pocket, his gaze

ing a notepad and flashing a polite, professional smile. "Good evening. W

nu, her eyebrows slowly risin

letely unfazed. "Your dad sa

p. "Wait... Dad

I get so much money at once? He's happ

ently. "Hope he actually sent the mo

ry about all that. He's trying-a

enu. "I can't even pronou

ne with the most vowels. Fancy fo

in thought. "Mom, is it b

nswered before

"One dessert, Benji

d dramatica

d at a picture. "Mom, what's this

ced at it. "Mo

up. "Can I have t

. "No, because we want

'll just get-wait, wha

ked. "Ra

"What kind of mon

an: "You, if y

his menu. "I think I'll

her menu. "Okay,

"Yeah, I'll be

Walker, he walked back to his table, slipping his phone into his pocket as he ended

about his age. They were loud, lau

of it-blurted out, "If I eat too much

. Okay, tha

ithout thinking, he asked. "D

oked entertained. "Go ahead. W

his chair slightly

mmediately. "Won't they kic

ou guys are something else. Here comes the

ted his h

t's time-c

ji burst out laughing whil

errible," B

mazing," Be

e? Someone here

iously. "You're not try

ckled. "Are y

d, leaning back. "M

join

er. "One condition-we're not pay

irked.

n-Jordan

ng between her family and Max, expression s

ordan, we invited him to join us.

t was happening before Jordan mutt

up. Wait... this

ng around at the f

He exhaled sharply

d. "You two kn

d her arms. "

lted his head. "So does this mea

laugh. "I'm still go

ed. "Fine. H

aned. "Unb

, Jordan, let's have fun. We're

the whole exchange, grinned

hed but di

the conversation carrie

n, then looked up at Max.

hy did the chic

ted his h

already had

hile Bethany groaned. "I re

"Come on, th

Max, have you always be

lways. But when you tra

d up. "Yo

Yeah, been to

her eyes. "M

e this one time, when I visited the U

row. "How do you m

k, right? And I'm supposed to catch a connecting flight. Only, I somehow end u

d. "Was he

and I realize I've left my bag inside the airport. Passport, wallet, everything.

d. "That's nex

you know what saved me?" He tappe

ffed. "Or

nt meeting with some important business guy-completely ma

widened. "S

hand. "I prefe

ven Jordan, though s

'm officially convinced you

ued. "Speaking of that, Ma

citing. Just some projects here and there." He expertly ste

nce, she found herself a

her drink,

h other?" Hannah asked, glan

question was coming, but tha

t answer, clearly wait

I thought he was steal

lattered onto h

p. "Oh my god, I knew this nigh

r, she didn't just think I stole it. She made

yebrows shot

e exchange, looked between them in di

quite. But she did ensu

with a dramatic gasp. "

as fair. She was the one always tell

ld answer, Max

at Jordan, a smirk tugging at his lip

"For what? Rui

getting in the w

inked. "Wa

en juggling everything mid-air. Instead, I stayed, handled it properly, and.

Well, that's a nice

n off the hook. "That's cute and all,

groaned

no. You always tell us to

"She has a poin

left and didn't look back." She exhaled. "But yeah, I

ly entertained. "

And I'm sorry too. I could've been

ess mutual accountability?" She c

loudly, "I don't know what just happe

olemnly. "Ye

hat up..." He leaned back, smirking. "Let me tel

up. "I lo

café, very overpriced coffee. I'd just finish

. "Did they

them, 'Look, I'll be back in ten minutes, I just need to gra

cackled.

g for his order-to cover my bill. I paid him back, obviously, but let m

zed. "Yo

I negotiated.

ke tear. "Beautifu

d, but even she had

ell, that's certainly

ch. "Well, this has been highly en

"Wait, you're l

"I do have a j

irked. "Pf

." He gave a casual salute. "A

ust so you know, we're not pay

hed. "Du