Re: Near the food: Hugh & Dietre
"We'll see," Hugh smiled, hoping, but he knew better than to hope too much. Down that way would lead definite disappointment. He'd done his best work, and the rest was out of his control. "I'll text you," he suggested. "With the possible dates, and you can see which one you'd prefer." Because even if he didn't have plans, he might have preferences.
And Hugh bit his lip as he considered Dietre's whole mood. Hugh didn't know him very well. They'd really hung out only a few times, but when he was paying attention he was usually a decent read of human nature and he didn't think this could be just chalked up to being tired of being at the party and around people. He raised an eyebrow at the mention of his friend, because Audrey had thought Dietre was jealous of her, and was Dietre jealous of Zee?
"Zee?" He asked, glancing around for her and not immediately seeing her, he waved his hand. "She'll be fine. She's traveled around half the world on her own, I'm sure she can manage Audrey & Hannah's house," he told Dietre lightly. "I haven't seen her for like three- four? years, anyway." He sat the plate down on the nearest surface, vowing to come back and get it in the right place later on, as he turned his attention to Dietre. "Let me walk you out then, yeah? I could use some fresh air." And a lower probability of anyone hearing them talking wouldn't hurt either.