“My schedule’s been impossible this month,” Ash continues. “I thought Zola was gonna come escort me outta the OR when I had to cancel a couple weeks back.”
We both laugh, because, well,Zola.
“I can’t believe you were the date.”
“Were? Does that mean I shouldn’t ask if you’re free now?” He checks his phone. “I could sneak out for coffee or dinner, or—I don’t know. You got any errands to run?”
I get lost in his golden eyes for a beat too long, and I’m back in the student section on those hard metal bleachers.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” I say, finally.
He doesn’t try to hide his smile. “I was just thinking the same thing about you. You look—”
“A mess,” I say, suddenly remembering my current state ofmid-beach-bonfire-emergencydress.
“Really good,” Asher corrects.
And the way he says it, I almost believe him.
“So,” he continues, “you wanna catch up over dinner?”
Even though I’m half dressed and bone-tired, when Asher asks, I say yes. Because, while I may not be up for a reckoning, a girl’s gotta eat.
—
I sent Zo a text about the universe’s assist when I stopped to do a quick change at the house. I’m halfway back to Asher when she finally responds.
Zola:Damnit! I wanted to do the reveal.
Zola:He looks exactly the same right?
I’ve only got a few seconds left at this red light to hammer out my response. I waste one or two biting the inside of my cheek at the thought of Asher’s bright eyes and warm brown skin, before typing:
Me:Same old Ash.
The pause before Zola’s next text is longer than I would’ve expected for someone getting everything they want.
Zola:You sure you wanna do this?
Me:WHAT?! Isn’t this what you’ve been plotting all along? saving Ash for last. Your big finish.
Zola:That was before you told us about Ro.
Earlier, rushed by the night’s relentlessness, I’d skipped right past Ro’s missed texts. But with Zola’s reminder I open them now, and my heart sinks at his words on my screen.
Ro:You want this stuff tonight?
Ro:I can swing by before I go see my parents. Drop everything off.
Ro:Have you guys eaten?
Ro:??
Shit.
29
Nothing screamstoday was fuckedlike a massive chicken parm, so when Ash asked for my vote back at the hospital, the site of my first Zola date was the restaurant that came to mind. It’s not like I made any particularly fond memories at Antonio’s the first time around that demanded preserving. But as I cross the parking lot, I realize that that’s not entirely true.
