Life will never be completely predictable

 "Well, you have to be nice to her," Jared looked at his brother Justin as if it needed to be a promise. Jared wanted this date to work with Nori. 

Nori was coming over to dinner, and they were going to a movie. It was one way to cut the cost. Although Jared wished he'd passed up Carmen's offer, she said she wanted to meet her. It would just be the four of them. Randy was over at Monica's.

"Why wouldn't I be nice?" Justin was being his grumpy self as he was ripping lettuce and greens in the side salad bowls before he dotted the greens with baby tomatoes, slices of cucumber, and radishes.

"You are always the silent type." Jared reminded him.

"Yeah, and you don't know when to shut up," Justin said he was a motor-mouth. 

Jared looked at him wide-eyed. He didn't think so. Sure, he'd always wanted to talk to his brother when he saw him growing up, but he rarely got to see him. Only on holidays. Their mum and new family lived in the city. Jared lived near the sea. Suddenly, there was a lump in his throat. He didn't like these feelings. Especially when Nori would be here in a few minutes.

Jared decided not to say anything. It was best not to make a big deal about any of this childhood stuff because Jutin was oblivious to it. Besides, it had always been Jaredn's problem, not his.

Carmen got out the cheesy enchiladas to let them sit on the stove to cool. He went to heat the refried beans a little more, which were tasty with peppers and onions along with a little cheese.

Finally, a tap came to the door and Jared opened it. He smiled happily at her arrival. She smelled of a bit of orange blossom.  Of course, she looked fabulous. Naturally, Jared didn't know a thing about fashion, and Justin certainly looked as if he was staying in tonight in his loose sweatpants. At least, Carmen looked to be ready for a dinner party. 

Justin did his obligatory handshake and let Carmen do all the talking. The girls chatted for a bit. Of course, they weren't talking about Jared or Justin, but they seemed to want to know each other. Jared watched, waiting to get a word in edgewise.

He guessed there would be time to talk to Nori on the way to the movie. Finally, dinner was served. Jared had been a ball of nerves until now. Now he could eat and hope he didn't spill Mexican food all over himself. 

Nori did make everything easier. "Maybe we can do this more often." Jared nodded with a smile.

"Yeah, we should do something with Jade and Ari," Carmen suggested. Jared wasn't thinking that far ahead, but he was up for it.