A few days later, Meg caught you in the kitchen, a sly grin already spreading across her face.

“Hey, you. Got a minute?” she asked, leaning casually against the counter. “I’ve been thinking… it’s about time Jacob and you had a little quality time without all the family chaos.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And what exactly are you planning?”

Meg’s eyes twinkled with excitement. “A game night. Just the three of us. Nothing fancy—just snacks, old board games, and zero phones allowed.”

You laughed. “Sounds simple enough. But what makes you think Jacob will actually go for it?”

“Because,” she said, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret, “he’s been trying really hard not to bury his head in that phone whenever you’re around. I’m betting he won’t want to mess this up.”

Later that evening, the three of you gathered in the cozy family den. Meg had laid out a spread of popcorn, chips, and even some of Jacob’s favorite snacks. The board games came out—classic strategy and trivia—and, true to Meg’s word, phones were set aside in a basket by the door.

At first, Jacob seemed a little stiff, but with every round, his laughter grew louder, his eyes more alive—and every so often, he caught your gaze, a small smile playing on his lips.

Meg, sitting beside you, gave a subtle thumbs-up. “See? Told you.”

By the end of the night, it wasn’t just the games that connected you all—it was the way Jacob looked at you when he thought no one was watching, and how you found yourself smiling back, feeling that old friendship deepen into something quietly hopeful.