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Ash (2:02 p.m.): Child Development and Learning was Monday, and then the two I took on Wednesday and Thursday were Current Issues in Education and a neuroscience class

Ash (2:03 p.m.): My other final was a project that I finished while I was still down in LA

Cass (2:06 p.m.): Awesome, so, you’re all done? Winter break time? Any plans?

Cass (2:07 p.m.): Not going skiing, are you? ;)

Ash (2:08 p.m.): God, no. I’ll be staying as far away from the snow as possible

Cass (2:08 p.m.): Probably for the best

Ash (2:09 p.m.): =P

He shuffled forward a few steps and reread the text message chain for probably the fifth time as a smile grew on his lips and some warm sense of pride filled his chest. It was only when he reached the kitchen island that he realized what he’d done.

“So, why are you sad, dear?”

He’d taken his phone out just now, fully intending on scrolling back through his messages from Joe to remind him how not sad he should be. He could even remember Joe’s last messages from only a couple of hours ago—some silly, timely memes about running that had Cass cracking up. But instead, he’d automatically clicked on Ash’s name, not Joe’s.

And he’d felt some immediate, intense shift to something lighter. Something happier and hopeful and . . .

He shook his head, not wanting to let himself go there, and for the umpteenth time, he reminded himself that Joe was here while Ash was hundreds of miles away in Seattle. Joe was kind, smart, funny, sweet. They got along well. He was easy to talk to. He listened and cared. And he’d asked Cass out. Twice now.

It was still early on in whatever this relationship of theirs was, but he already knew it was a good thing they had going.

He should be happy about it. So, why—

With another shake of his head, he stopped that thought in its tracks. He was happy about it. He was, and he would continue to be. And that was the truth.

Slipping his phone back into his pocket, he stepped forward to the sink to get started on the dishes from dinner. And he did his absolute best to try to keep his mind firmly here, at home, in Redding, even though all it really wanted to do was wander off somewhere hundreds of miles to the north.

Henry (Monday, December 20, 2021 – 10:45 a.m.): Our plane gets in Thursday at 3pm. Looking forward to seeing you. How are things going? Shaina’s been keeping us updated, but I know how overwhelming being a new parent can be. I’m always free to chat if you need it.

Chapter Fifteen

Ash

Ash closed his eyes and leaned back against the couch cushions, cradling a very fussy, slightly feverish baby Bri in his arms. It was day two of whatever this virus she had was, which meant day two of little to no sleep for him, and even though her new pediatrician had assured Ash it was completely normal for babies to get sick and that he didn’t need to worry, every stuffy gurgle and raspy cry she made had his heart racing with uncertainty.

He lifted her so she was resting on his shoulder, and he started humming a quiet song in a lame attempt to comfort her.

She cried louder.

To his left, the front door to the apartment opened, and Ash turned his head to see Shaina pushing the door closed with her foot, her arms full of grocery bags.

“Do you need help?” he asked, raising his voice so she could hear him over Bri’s cries.

“No, this is everything,” Shaina replied as she made a beeline for the kitchen, where she quickly set the groceries down on the counter. “Do you need help?”

He grimaced as their eyes met and then shook his head but stood, rubbing Bri’s back with one hand. “She’s so uncomfortable, it almost hurts me.”

“I know,” Shaina said quietly. She met him halfway to the kitchen and carefully lifted Bri from his arms. It took a good few minutes or so, but with Shaina’s gentle swaying and some quiet murmurs of nonsense words, Bri’s crying finally seemed to quiet, at least momentarily. Without looking up, Shaina said, “How about you put away the groceries, and I’ll see if I can get her to nap?”

Ash nodded and then leaned in and kissed Bri’s forehead. “Rest, sweet girl,” he murmured softly. “Thanks, Shai.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” she replied, giving him a crooked half smile.

He laughed weakly and turned toward the kitchen as Shaina took Bri back into the bedroom. The shopping bags on the counter were filled to the brim, and he took his time putting everything away. Shaina had stuffed the receipt in the bottom of one of the bags, and he scanned it with a frown. How had three bags of groceries totaled over one hundred fifty dollars? And that hadn’t even included any diapers or baby wipes or any big-ticket items. Just basic food and formula.