Aiden nods, not looking surprised. “Yeah. But if he says yes, you’ll have to actually talk to him. You know that, right?”
I let out a heavy sigh and roll my eyes exaggeratedly at him. “Yes, Aiden, I do know that. Why do you always sound so mature? It’s really annoying.”
He presses his lips together, hiding a laugh, then reaches out, making his intention clear before he gently squeezes my shoulder.
“Okay, I gotta run. I’ll see you later.”
“Sure, I’ll be over during the week. I miss my niece.”
He gives me a beaming smile; he’s such a softie for her. I still can’t believe my brother has a two-year-old. Fatherhood suits him more than I ever expected. How he is with Rose reminds me of our dad, so loving and protective, willing to be a goofball to make her smile.
I wave as he walks toward the door. “Bye.”
The morning fades into afternoon, the hours dissolving into routine. Customers come and go—I move through it all quietly, the way I always do.
By the time the sun sinks low, Evergreen Books has slipped into that golden hush I love best. Dust motes float lazily in the amber light. The new florist leaves, clutching another romance novel with a cover he blushed buying. “Bye, Luke,” I call out, and he gives me an awkward wave.
I flip the sign fromOpentoClosed, turn the music down, and for a moment, I stand there, staring at my space. Shelves full ofcolorful paperbacks, string lights in the nook toward the back, glowing faintly.
The quiet wraps around me like a shield and a restraint.
Safe. Suffocating.
I climb the narrow back stairs into my apartment, the conversation with Aiden still on my mind.
The thought of someone else here, filling the silences I’ve built into the walls… Noah’s shoes by the door. His voice in the hallway. His presence spilling into every corner. It makes my breath grow heavier. What if he’s changed? What if the boy with the bright smile and kind eyes is gone? Tension creeps into my shoulders as my chest starts moving rapidly.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, startling me. The feeling of the vibration against my leg drags me back to myself. Relief hits when I see the group chat light up.
AA meetings (Anal & Angst)
Abbie:Gabe. I saw Aiden heading your way earlier. Blink twice if he recruited you into the gym cult and you need to be rescued.
Ciarán:I passed Daddy Shaw on the way out this morning. Can confirm: still grumpy as fuck.
Me:He asked if Noah could move in. Temporarily, until the gym settles.
Abbie:Oh shit, that’s big. How do you feel about it?
Ciarán:You know you don’t have to say yes if it makes you uncomfortable.
Me:I know. I told him he could mention it to Noah. It should be okay, we grew up together so I know him.
I used to, anyway.
Ciarán:I know you’ve mentioned him before but have we ever actually met this guy?
Ciarán:…also, if he’s hot and shirtless in your kitchen one morning, you legally have to send me a picture. Best friend rulebook.
Me:I’m rolling my eyes right now. I don’t think you have actually, he moved away after college. I usually only see him at Aiden’s when he visits.
Except I’ve avoided him this last year. I scrub a hand over my face before going back to the chat.
Me:He was at my parents’ funeral though. You probably saw him with Aiden.
Ciarán:Oh shit, blond hottie with the body of a Greek god?
Me:He’s blond, yeah. Don’t know about the hottie bit.
