“So you don’t talk to them then?”
“I wouldn’t say I’mnocontact. Justlowcontact, if that makes sense. I call once a month or so, let them know I’m still alive, that sort of thing. That’s about it. Like I mentioned, they moved to Vermont to be near my grandparents a few years ago, and I don’t really get the opportunity to visit often.”
I frowned and sipped from my own bottle of beer. “I’m sorry I brought it up.”
“You didn’t know.” We were quiet for a moment before Micah stood again. “Can I get you anything? Another beer?”
“Nah. I need to be able to drive home.”
He nodded. “Smart. I’ll be right back.” Micah disappeared into the kitchen for a moment and when he returned, he had a fresh beer bottle in his hand. “Okay, you ready to watch one more?” His tone was light and I wanted to keep his mood up.
“Let’s do it.”
Chapter 6 - Micah
The following week, Asher was all I could think about. I wanted to be around him. I enjoyed every minute we spent together and I wanted more. The day before the shoot was supposed to start, I texted him another invitation.
Micah: I’m going to a modern art museum nearby. Do you want to join and get dinner with me?
I’d expected a no—art museums didn’t seem to be his thing—but I figured I’d shoot my shot and hope for the best. To my surprise, he answered quickly.
Asher: Sure. Pick me up?
He’d included his address in the text. A slow smile spread on my face.
Micah: Deal.
Less than a half hour later, we were in the car together, headed outside of Port Grandlin to a small modern art museum closer to DC, chatting mindlessly about our days, Kieran, Jackson, and life in general. It was pleasant to spend time with him, especially when we weren’t only talking about heavy topics like my parents.
“I know this probably isn’t your favorite field trip,” I said as I turned into the parking lot of the art museum. “I’m glad you’re coming along anyway.”
“I’m glad you invited me,” he said softly, sending a flutter through my chest.
Once we’d paid, we wandered around, looking at the exhibits, keeping the conversation going. “Are you more of an alone guy, or a with-friends guy, when it comes to this kind of exploring new places?”
Asher seemed to think for a moment. “I don’t know. I do most everything with Jackson. I don’t think exploring new places is something either of us do much of though.”
I nodded. “That’s fair. I like sharing this kind of thing with someone. It’s always more fun to share an experience with someone, in my opinion.”
“Is that someone usually Kieran, for you?”
I laughed and shook my head. “Not often. We’re best friends, don’t get me wrong, but we don’t get to work on sets together as often as we’d like. More times than not, he’s working on one side of the country and I'm on the other. Max did us a real favor this time, pulling the team together the way he did.”
“Oh? What do you mean?”
“Max is the producer. He was allowed to hand-pick the team forHeartland Overhaul. The six of us have been friends since we all lived in New York together, a long time ago. We met on the set of our first show together, and have been close since, but we rarely have a chance to get together, all six of us.”
“Do you all do design? Except Max, I guess.”
I shook my head. “That’s the beauty of it. Brooks is a director, Gideon runs the cameras, and Sterling is the host, the on-screen personality. We all do different things, which is why Max was able to get the six of us together on theHeartlandpayroll.”
“That’s really cool,” he murmured. “I’m glad it worked out.”
“Thanks,” I said softly. “Adulting, am I right?”
Asher huffed a laugh. “Right. Adulting. Not quite what we expected it to be, is it?”
“How do you mean?”
