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Bri didn’t move, even when Ash straightened back up, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Maybe she’ll be out for an hour, if we’re lucky.”

“An hour sounds good,” Cass said. “I was hoping—oh, doesn’t she need—”

“Oh shoot, Ollie, yeah.”

Cass smiled and set his hand on Ash’s back again. “It’s in the back seat, yeah?” When Ash nodded, Cass said, “Cool, I’ll be right back. One sec.”

He turned and jogged back down the hallway, out the front door, and to the car. Bri’s stuffed octopus sat on the floor in the back seat, where it must have fallen at some point. He quickly picked it up and jogged back inside.

His dad arched his eyebrows at Cass as he headed toward the hallway again, and Cass just held up the stuffie. His mom’s smile grew, and his dad laughed lightly. Cass continued back to the bedroom, where Ash was waiting, leaning over the edge of the crib and brushing the hair from Bri’s forehead.

“Got it,” Cass said quietly.

He handed the toy to Ash, who set it carefully next to Bri. Bri made a small sound in her sleep but didn’t wake, and Ash backed up a step until he stood shoulder to shoulder with Cass. And something right then made more of that wonderful warmth flood Cass’s chest. He couldn’t even put a name to the feeling, and it almost didn’t really make sense. After all, they weren’t even touching. They hadn’t even gone out yet, and they were still just friends.

God, if he was already feeling this just standing next to the man, was he even going to survive it if they kissed?

The thought sent a rush of heat to Cass’s face, and he swallowed hard, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“So, we’ve got about an hour, then?” he said. He tried not to sound too eager; he loved spending time with Bri, and he didn’t want Ash to think otherwise. But he’d be lying if he said he didn’t want some alone time with Ash.

There was a light laugh next to him, and he glanced over. Ash was watching him, a knowing but also shy smile on his face.

“Probably, yeah,” Ash said. “Though not if we stand in here and keep talking.”

This time, it was Cass who laughed. He nodded and motioned toward the door, then he let his hand settle low on Ash’s back as they left the room together. He closed the door most of the way, leaving it cracked a couple of inches.

“That’s good, yeah?” Cass asked. “So we can hear when she wakes up?”

Ash nodded. “Yeah. She’ll call for me.”

Just like outside the car at the airport, they were sort of “alone” again, and although Cass knew his parents were waiting for an official, real introduction, he was in no hurry to lead Ash the rest of the way back down the hall to the living room. He inhaled a slow breath and then reached out to take Ash’s hand in his. Their fingers played together for a second, the touch tentative and yet not.

Cass stared, mesmerized, and when he ventured a glance back up, he saw the same awe in Ash’s expression. He closed his fingers around Ash’s and gave a gentle squeeze.

“This, uh—” Cass’s voice caught in his throat, and he shook his head as Ash lifted his eyes. Their deep blue sent Cass’s heart racing, and he stared for another few seconds before huffing a laugh and then trying again. “This is okay, yeah? The room? Staying here? I figured it would be better than a hotel.”

That wasn’t what he’d really wanted to say, but he was apparently too nervous to articulate whatever thoughts he’d had right then anyway. Ash seemed to understand, the corner of his lips twitching up into a half smile.

Ash’s fingers tightened in Cass’s. “It’s perfect.”

“Okay, good.” Cass was ninety-nine percent sure Ash hadn’t been referring to the accommodations. He took a slow breath to steady himself and then tipped his head toward the living room. “So, ready to meet my parents?”

Shaina (Friday, November 25, 2022 – 4:01 p.m.): It was so good to see you <3 Wish you were here longer, but I totally get why you left early ;)

Shaina (4:03 p.m.): Keep me updated on how it goes, I want alllllll the DEETS!

Shaina (4:12 p.m.): Also, sorry I was a jerk on Thursday. I know last week was awful for you, and I understand why you didn’t want to talk. Love you always <3

Chapter Thirty-One

Ash

After meeting Cass’s parents, Ash understood exactly where Cass’s kindness came from. His mom, Paula, was one of the sweetest women Ash had ever met, and his dad, Robert, was just this strong, confident presence, which was welcoming in a way Ash couldn’t explain. They only spent a few minutes talking before Robert excused himself and Paula to go outside and enjoy the unseasonably warm weather from the back patio.

Then Ash and Cass were alone. Again.

For how long, he wasn’t sure, and he had the fleeting thought that it might always be like this—stealing moments together alone when they could. It was a strange thought, though, since this was really only the first day they’d been together. Yet already, they’d only had these passing moments—the minute or so hug outside of the car at the airport, the few seconds in the hallway . . .