38
THEO
I was halfwaythrough reheating the leftover biscuits and gravy for breakfast early on Saturday morning when my phone buzzed on the counter.
I wiped my hands on a dish towel and reached for it, expecting a work email or maybe something from my mom letting me know she and my dad were on their way to get Charlotte.
But instead of seeing that, I found a message from Amanda in our group chat.
Amanda: I’m so sorry to do this but I can’t make it to our balloon ride this morning. Long story but I was in the ER with my son all night and just got home. There’s no way I’ll be any fun on zero sleep.
I frowned, feeling bad since I knew how scary a night in the ER with a kid could be.
Me: I’m sorry to hear that. Do you need anything?
A few seconds later, the reply came through.
Amanda: Thanks, but it was just a really high fever. I think we’re in the clear now. I just really need a nap.
I let out a quiet breath, relieved it wasn’t anything more serious.
Then another message popped up.
Miles: Oh, crap. That was today? I completely forgot. I’m at my cabin right now. There’s no way I’ll make it there in time.
I stared at the screen for a second.
Then another.
Because… seriously, Miles?
Something really must be going on with him because he’d never been so flaky before.
I set my phone down and pulled the plate from the microwave, carrying it over to the island as I tried to figure out what that meant for the morning.
I’d talked to Nora about the balloon ride last night. She’d been excited.
And Charlotte had been excited to hang out with my parents this morning. They had plans to go to the farmers’ market together after Charlotte woke up.
Everything was already set.
Except now it would just be me and Nora.
Would it be weird to still go?
My fork hovered over the plate as I considered it.
We’d spent plenty of time alone together this past week.
But this…
Well, this felt different.
This felt like a date.
And I wasn’t sure how she would feel about that.
I heard footsteps on the stairs before I could think about it too much. A second later, Nora stepped into the kitchen.
