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“That’s like asking a parent to choose their favorite child,” Kassian says right away, shaking his head and looking down at the table. “I’ve always loved romance. There’s one I read when I was a teenager that’s stuck with me ever since. I’m sure you’ve never heard of it but it’s called ‘Through Winding Doors’.”

I can’t help but light up with excitement. “I love that book! I haven’t read it in such a long time but I remember being incredibly captivated by the main character, Lazar.”

Kassian brightens, leaning forward in his seat. “Yes! He was my favorite as well. The way he pined and longed for his love through all those years, through every new challenge put before him? It was so incredibly romantic.”

“Very much so,” I say with a grin. “Each door was a new horror and yet at the end, he was always so strong for his love. It was such an exciting read.”

Nix is once again staring at Kassian, a small smile on his face as we talk about this book. I turn to him. “What about you, Nix? What’s your favorite book?”

He looks a bit embarrassed. “I’m not as much of a reader as Kassian.”

“Maybe you just haven’t found the right book.”

“Do you have recommendations?”

“More than I can even tell you in this one sitting,” I tell him. “What sorts of things do you like?”

Nix seems to think about that for a moment, rubbing his thumb over his chin.

“He likes found families,” Kassian says with a little smile. “Any time there’s a found family, you get super excited. And you love it when the main characters are some shade of queer or fuck around with gender.”

“That’s true,” Nix says with a nod. “But I get way less excited about romance. Sure, I like it when it’s there but I get more excited when someone takes on the government or when there’s really fun action scenes.”

“‘The Space Adventures of Captain Tag and Company’”, I tell him. “That’s the series I would recommend. It sounds like it would be perfect for you.”

Nix’s face lights up. “Do you think we can borrow it from the library?”

“I’m fairly certain we have a copy. I’ll look tomorrow when I’m at work.”

“That would be awesome. Thank you, Dean.”

I finish my ice cream and stand up. “It was really nice bumping into you,” I tell them both. They stand up as well, following me outside. The wind blows, making my hair ruffle and a shiver go down my spine.

“Thanks again for catching me,” Nix says with a grin. “Hopefully, we can come see you at the library sometime this week.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Kassian gives me a little wave before they both turn in the opposite direction, walking down the street towards the hotel they’re staying at. I get into my car and make the drive back to my home.

It’s not until I’m at home and sitting on the couch do I call my daughter.

“Dad! Hey! How was the ice cream?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose and let out a long sigh. “Baby girl, you’ve got some explaining to do.”

Chapter Five

Kassian

“I’m so excited,” Nix says beside me. “Do you think they really have a copy of that book? Maybe they’ll have something you will like too.”

“Maybe,” I say softly, feeling less excited than Nix.

The meet-cute was a success. At least, I think it was? I’ve read enough romance novels and written enough fanfiction to know the meet-cute is really important. It’s what starts the sparks. It’s the thing that gets two people to start interacting and once they’re hooked, they’ll continue to bump into each other until they fall in love.

Is that why Nix is so excited? Is he already feeling the sparks?

Gods, I have got to get over this jealousy. It’s best if I learn to live with Nix getting happy over Dean because very soon, this is going to be my life from now on. I’m gonna have to keep traveling with Nix while he’s dating Dean. The sooner I accept that, the better.