Page 67

Ash

Bri didn’t nap on the drive home from the trailhead in Issaquah. She babbled the whole way, talking to Ollie the Octopus and playing with her toys. When they got home, she still didn’t nap. She took a bath and had an afternoon snack, then insisted Ash read one of her favorite books to her.

By the time three thirty rolled around, when they were supposed to be getting ready to leave so they could meet Cass at four, Bri was just finally starting to look droopy-eyed. Ash plopped her down in her crib, raced through a short shower to get all the sweat and dirt from their earlier hike off, and then took a few minutes to get dressed and style his hair.

As he cycled through a few different shirts before deciding on a plain medium-gray tech shirt that fit him particularly well, he could almost hear Shaina’s voice. “So, it’s not a date, huh? Whyyyyyyy the obsession with your clothes then?”

Because I just want to look nice wouldn’t be a sufficient answer for her. She’d insist it was more than that.

And honestly, Ash wasn’t really sure if she’d be right or wrong.

He’d had to talk himself into even texting Cass in the first place this morning, and he hadn’t had the courage to say anything other than a sort of generic I had a good time. Cass’s text back, however, had given him plenty to think about on his multi-hour hike with Bri up and down Tiger Mountain.

The only conclusion he’d reached, even after over five miles up and down a mountain while carrying a baby on his shoulders much of the time, was one he already knew to be true: He did like Cass. He liked Cass a whole lot.

But by the time they’d gotten back to his car at the trailhead and he’d strapped Bri into her car seat and seen Cass’s next messages about his flight delay, Ash had run around in circles in his head so long, he hadn’t known what to say to Cass’s invitation to meet up again.

So he’d just started typing.

And now, it seemed, they had another ambiguous not-a-date.

Only this time, he knew about the ambiguity. That had to be why his stomach was all twisted in knots.

When he was finally satisfied with his hair and his clothes, he turned to Bri’s crib. She was standing there watching him, clutching her stuffie. Her eyes were still sleepy, but she hadn’t slept at all, which didn’t really bode well for the rest of the afternoon.

“Un-ca Ashhhh,” she said, dropping Ollie the Octopus and lifting both arms up to him.

“Aw, sweet girl, are you tired?” He picked her up out of her crib, and she immediately rested her head on his shoulder. “We’re gonna go on a car ride and see Cass again. Do you remember Cass from yesterday?”

She didn’t answer, and so he just kissed the top of her head, grabbed her stuffie from the crib, and carried her out into the living room.

“Now where did we put your shoes?” he hummed quietly as he made his way around the small room, searching for any sign of her tiny blue sneakers.

“Da, da,” Bri mumbled weakly, pointing toward the couch.

“Oh, do you see them?”

“Da.” Bri squirmed a little, and Ash set her down lightly on the carpet. She toddled over, reached under the end of the couch, and pulled out a pair of shoes. “Da!” she declared, only with slightly more energy than before.

“Ah, you found them! Great job!” Ash sat on the floor with her and helped her put them on. Then she crawled up into his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and rested her head on his shoulder again. “Tired baby, huh?”

She didn’t answer. He slipped his arm under her and stood, cradling her carefully. Then he grabbed the diaper bag from where it sat next to the front door, and they left, heading out to the elevator and then down to the parking garage. By the time he had strapped her into her car seat, she was out, her eyes closed softly and her head slumped.

Ash gently brushed her hair back and then kissed her forehead before making his way around to the driver’s side and climbing in. From his pocket, his phone chimed quietly with a notification just as he pushed the button to start the engine.

Cass (3:50 p.m.): All done here and heading outside. See you in a few?

Ash (3:50 p.m.): Leaving my apartment now, should be less than ten minutes :)

Cass (3:50 p.m.): Perfect

The drive was short, since Ash somehow managed to avoid hitting any red lights on the way, and he pulled into the roundabout near Kane Hall just about eight minutes later. Cass stood at the curb on the far side, and as soon as their eyes locked, a warm sort of eagerness fluttered in Ash’s chest.

God, the man was handsome.

His dark-wash jeans fit perfectly, hugging his narrow hips, and the sleeves of his olive-green button-down were rolled up to his elbows, showing off strong forearms. His short dark hair looked naturally neat, like the most he’d done with it was sweep it back off his forehead some time ago, and the days-old stubble covering his jaw only made him even more attractive.

Then Cass grinned, and every little bit of apprehension that had been flitting about in Ash’s mind quieted.