"Don''t worry about them. They know what they''re doing," Calliope said.


    She knew if she ran over to shield Ss now, it''d only make things worse. So, she decided to steer clear of the action.


    Calista and Dahlia, hearing Calliope''s words, also resisted the urge to join themotion. Instead, the group found a corner and started ying cards and snacking on chips and dip.


    Meanwhile, Ss had found himself at the center of a drinking contest. Quentin and his buddies had pulled out the good stuff-aged whiskey, imported craft beers, and bourbon that could knock out a horse. But Ss was unfazed. The man could drink anyone under the table, a skill honed after years of business dinners andworking at smoky bars.


    Quentin and his brothers weren''t lightweights either. They''d all had their fair share ofte nights and wild parties, thanks to their jobs and social circles. So the four of them raised their sses and dove into the challenge.


    But this wasn''t just about the booze. As they drank, Quentin and the others peppered Ss with questions, all about Calliope. They wanted to know if Ss really understood her, if he knew her favorite foods, her hidden talents, her quirks. They wanted to see if he paid attention.


    Ss answered every question with zero hesitation. He''d been quietly watching Calliope for years, so there was nothing they could throw at him that he hadn''t already figured out. Every answer was quick, spot-on, like he''d studied for this his whole life.


    Quentin raised an eyebrow, but he wasn''t surprised. "Alright, pretty good," he said, "But what if, someday, Callie wants to go full-on career mode and you''re expected to hold down the fort at home? No more fancy job for you. Could you handle being a stay-at-home husband?"


    "I''d be proud to," Ss replied without missing a beat.


    "And what about kids?" Norton chimed in. "Having them isn''t easy, raising them is even harder. If you can''t help with the birth, would you be willing to take care of them while Callie''s out working?"


    Julius nodded, adding, "We think


    kids should be raised by their parents, not dumped off on nannies or babysitters. So, Mr. Myers, would you be willing to be a full-time dad for Callie?"


    "If it''s for Callie, I''d do anything," Ss answered, just as quick.


    "Alright," Quentin said, leaning forward, "But what if Callie wants the kids to take


    herst name, not yours? Would you be cool with that?"


    "Absolutely," Ss replied, short and simple.


    own


    He''d never cared much for hisst name anyway. It was his father''s, and that never meant much to him. He figured taking Callie''sst name would be an upgrade.


    The guys studied Ss, searching his face for any trace of doubt. But he was dead serious, and they could tell.


    Norton teased, "You answer everything so fast, man. Are you just giving us what we want to hear?"


    Ss just grinned. "When ites to Callie, there''s nothing to think about. I''m always on her side."


    For him, it was simple: whatever was best for Calliope, that was his answer, no hesitation.


    The guys nced at each other and nodded, more or less satisfied, for now, at least. But they all knew? words were easy. What really mattered was seeing what Ss would actually do when it counted.


    iel