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Another bird flew over, landing on Cass’s shoulder, and then another landed on Ash’s head, and Bri finally laughed loud enough to scare them all away. The nectar in the cup was gone anyway. So, slowly, the three of them stood and exited the aviary, dropping the cup in the recycle bin on the way out. Cass jogged back around to the entrance and grabbed Bri’s diaper bag, and then he met up with Ash and Bri again.

After lunch at a bistro near the park’s entrance, Cass led them the short distance back across the Sundial Bridge to a trail outside of the botanical gardens and arboretum. Bri was beside herself with excitement when they found a pond with a variety of different types of turtles, but as soon as they sat down together on a small bench in the shade of a tall tree next to the pond, her eyes started to droop, and in no time at all, she was fast asleep, slumped against Ash’s chest.

Ash laughed quietly. “I guess it’s been quite the day for her. It is about time for her nap.”

Cass reached over and, with the gentlest touch, brushed Bri’s hair back off her forehead. “Tired, precious girl,” he said softly.

Ash nodded and then held his breath as Cass scooted closer and lifted his arm up to rest around Ash’s shoulders.

“Is this okay?” he asked.

It most definitely was okay. More than okay, even. And so, Ash replied, “Yeah, it’s okay.” He let himself lean into Cass slightly, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.

How was this all so good?

Ever since last night, since he’d sort of given himself permission to enjoy what little time he and Cass had together, every moment had felt better than the last, starting with their kiss right before they’d said good night and continuing through to now. He had no previous experience and no reference for any of this; all he knew was that he hadn’t felt even close to this at peace and comfortable in at least a year now.

Cass squeezed his shoulders, and warm lips softly grazed his temple. Ash sighed contentedly.

“I hope you had a good time so far,” Cass said quietly. “It seems like Bri did.”

“Oh, she definitely had the best day ever,” Ash agreed.

“And you?” There was a tiny bit of uncertainty in Cass’s voice, and Ash smiled, opened his eyes, and tilted his head until he could see his friend.

“Eh. It’s been okay,” he said with a teasing smirk.

Cass’s eyes lit up, their deep brown full of the same adoration Ash couldn’t believe he kept seeing. He blinked and looked down at Bri, who still slept soundly and peacefully in his arms. Then he leaned into Cass again and smiled.

“I also think it’s the best day I’ve had in a very, very long time,” he admitted.

Cass hummed what sounded like a quiet agreement, and then he rested his forehead against the side of Ash’s head. “Me too.” Cass’s lips brushed against Ash’s cheek, the touch as soft and careful as any other.

It was more of the same. More contentedness and tranquility. More softness. More quiet comfort. Ash just wanted to bask in it for as long as he possibly could. Because here, now, with Cass and Bri and this peacefulness they’d somehow found themselves in, everything felt less heavy, less suffocating.

And for the first time in a very long time, he could breathe.

Dad (Saturday, November 26, 2022 – 8:14 p.m.): The little angel already fell asleep. I think your mom is a bit disappointed and was hoping for more time with her

Dad (8:15 p.m.): Have a good time

Dad (8:17 p.m.): You mom says good night and she loves you

Chapter Thirty-Four

Cass

“Alright, so now that we’re out here on this secluded road, all alone, late at night, with no one else around, I think you can tell me what you planned.” Ash twisted his head to glance at Cass, his eyebrows arched with an adorable playfulness. “‘Surprise, I’m going to murder you’?”

Cass rolled his eyes, though he was grinning. “Nothing that exciting, I’m afraid. Here, come with me.” He turned and pushed open the driver’s side door to his dad’s truck, and Ash followed, getting out of the truck on the passenger side.

Outside, the chilly air was still and fresh, and a dark lake stretched out down below the vista point to the west. Pitch black surrounded them, interrupted only by the light from the cab of the truck, which would shut off as soon as they both closed their doors. Above, stars twinkled in the inky sky, a vast unknown with no end.

The quiet spot only about fifteen or so miles from town was exactly what Cass had wanted for them—somewhere they could be together, just the two of them. No loud noises, no crowds, no disruptions. It certainly wasn’t fancy, and hell, maybe it wasn’t really even romantic, but it was one hundred percent what Cass thought they both needed.

He left the door open a few inches so the light would stay on, then headed around to the back of the truck, lowered the tailgate, and hopped up into the bed, where two huge suitcases and a cooler sat pushed up against the cab.

Ash stopped next to the tailgate. “Uh, so, what . . . ?” His question trailed off unfinished, and he looked up at Cass, confused.