Dad raises an eyebrow. “On a dating app?”
“No. Nothing like that. We met via a forum for adoptees.”
Dad glances at me before concentrating on the road again.
“He was having a tough time because he’d only just found out he was adopted. I reached out, and we got talking.”
“When was this?”
“About a year ago.”
“And you’re still talking?”
I laugh. “Don’t go reading anything into it. We’re friends.”
“Have you ever met him?”
“No.” It’s easier than explaining that we were at school together for one year and that the one time we met, Kyle rescued me.
The song has finished while Dad and I have been talking, and I have a bunch of messages from Kyle extolling the brilliance of ‘Another Brick in the Wall’. I send him the name of the next song on Dad’s playlist.
“Are you going to meet him?” Dad asks.
“We’re friends.”
“Friends can meet.”
I roll my eyes. “You want me to settle down.”
“I want you to be happy, Haru. That’s all your mum and I have ever wanted.”
My chest tightens. “Yeah, I know. Thanks, Dad.”
“I’ll let you get back to chatting with your friend.”
I wave my phone. “He likes your music.”
“Oh. Well, in that case, when do we get to meet him?”
“He’s not that kind of friend.”
“What kind is he?”
Good question. The kind who makes me smile with every text he sends. The kind who values my opinion, even if only on fashion. The kind who lifts me up every chance he gets. The incredibly sexy kind. The long-distance kind. Except with every second that passes, I’m moving closer to him.
“Haru.”
“Huh?”
“I asked you a question, but I think you were daydreaming.” Dad smiles.
Yeah, I think I was too. “A good friend.”
“Chat to him.”
“Don’t you want me to keep you company?”
“I’m fine. I have my music.”
