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With a slow breath, he set his book down on the seat next to him and pulled out his phone. Then he opened up his text message chain with Ash. A new message from a few minutes ago popped up on the screen.

Ash (9:33 a.m.): Bri officially agrees with you about Santa

A picture loaded of Bri sitting on Shaina’s lap on the couch, her face red and tears streaming down her cheeks.

Cass (9:38 a.m.): Uh-oh, what happened?

Ash (9:38 a.m.): Henry showed up dressed as Santa

Ash (9:39 a.m.): She was terrified. Shaina tried to talk her through it. Not happening

Cass (9:39 a.m.): xD

Ash (9:40 a.m.): Henry felt so bad

Cass (9:40 a.m.): I bet. Is she okay now?

Ash didn’t respond right away, which was fine. Cass had a longer text to type out anyway. It took several minutes of him typing and restarting and typing and restarting, unable to decide how much to write and exactly what to say. He finally settled on something relatively short and simple, figuring they could discuss details later.

Cass (9:48 a.m.): So my dad’s Christmas present to my mom is a trip to San Francisco in April. And my parents’ Christmas present to me is a trip to see you at that same time

April seemed impossibly far away. At the same time, however, it was something—a date to look forward to. And his parents were going to be gone for four whole days, which meant Cass could also be gone for four whole days.

Four whole days with Ash. Four whole days of getting to spend time together in person.

Ash (9:51 a.m.): What? Really??? You’re serious?

A grin split Cass’s face, and he pursed his lips to rein it in as he replied.

Cass (9:51 a.m.): Yes, I’m serious <3

Cass (9:51 a.m.): April 21-24

Ash (9:52 a.m.): omg wow

Ash (9:52 a.m.): I can’t tell you how much you just made my day

Ash (9:53 a.m.): Shaina just laughed at me and asked me what’s going on

Ash (9:53 a.m.): god I can’t wait

Cass glanced up at his parents. They’d stopped talking, but his dad still held his mom’s hand, his thumb rubbing gently back and forth along her skin like it was the most natural thing in the world.

It was soft and tender and beautiful, and his heart longed for it again—to have that, with Ash. He closed his eyes for a few long seconds. Then, with a deep breath, he looked back down at his phone and Ash’s new message.

Ash (9:54 a.m.): Call me tonight? <3

Cass (9:54 a.m.): I will. Might be late

Ash (9:55 a.m.): I’ll be up

Cass (9:55 a.m.): I can’t wait

Cass (9:56 a.m.): Oh, how is Bri? You never answered

Ash (9:58 a.m.): Ah, right, sorry! We’re getting ready to go out for breakfast. She’s okay, ish. She’s being super clingy now and only wants me to hold her. Poor Henry feels awful. Shaina thinks it’s hilarious

Ash (9:58 a.m.): Might have to skip Santa from here on out, which wouldn’t be that bad really. We’ll see