THEO
I was halfway through reheating the leftover biscuits and gravy for breakfast early on Saturday morning when my phone buzzed on the counter.
I wiped my hands on a dish towel and reached for it, expecting a work email or maybe something from my mom letting me know she and my dad were on their way to get Charlotte.
But instead of seeing that, I found a message from Amanda in our group chat.
Amanda: I’m so sorry to do this but I can’t make it to our balloon ride this morning. Long story but I was in the ER with my son all night and just got home. There’s no way I’ll be any fun on zero sleep.
I frowned, feeling bad since I knew how scary a night in the ER with a kid could be.
Me: I’m sorry to hear that. Do you need anything?
A few seconds later, the reply came through.
Amanda: Thanks, but it was just a really high fever. I think we’re in the clear now. I just really need a nap.
I let out a quiet breath, relieved it wasn’t anything more serious.
Then another message popped up.
Miles: Oh, crap. That was today? I completely forgot. I’m at my cabin right now. There’s no way I’ll make it there in time.
I stared at the screen for a second.
Then another.
Because… seriously, Miles?
Something really must be going on with him because he’d never been so flaky before.
I set my phone down and pulled the plate from the microwave, carrying it over to the island as I tried to figure out what that meant for the morning.
I’d talked to Nora about the balloon ride last night. She’d been excited.
And Charlotte had been excited to hang out with my parents this morning. They had plans to go to the farmers’ market together after Charlotte woke up.
Everything was already set.
Except now it would just be me and Nora.
Would it be weird to still go?
My fork hovered over the plate as I considered it.
We’d spent plenty of time alone together this past week.
But this…
Well, this felt different.
This felt like a date.
And I wasn’t sure how she would feel about that.
I heard footsteps on the stairs before I could think about it too much. A second later, Nora stepped into the kitchen.
She looked ready to go. Hair up in a high ponytail that showed off her delicate neck, dressed in a white tank and jean shorts.
“Did you see the messages from Miles and Amanda?” I asked, my grip tightening slightly around my fork.
“I just saw them,” she said, stepping up to the island where I was standing.
“Do you think we should still go?” I asked, glancing down at my plate before looking back at her.
“I don’t know…” She hesitated, her brows pulling together slightly as she thought about it. “Do you think the balloon company would be okay with us rescheduling this late?”
“Probably not.”
“Yeah…” She bit down on her lower lip.
My gaze dropped to her mouth before I could stop it. Just long enough to notice that I had to consciously drag my attention back up to her eyes.
I cleared my throat. “Would you feel weird if it was just the two of us going?”
Because as much as I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable… I also didn’t hate the idea.
She studied me for a second, like she was trying to figure out where I stood. “I mean…” she said, giving a small shrug. “I’m cool with still going if you are.”
“Okay,” I said, nodding once, trying to keep my tone neutral even as a swarm of nerves filled me. “Then let’s just stick with the plan.”
She pulled her phone out of her pocket. “But I am going to text Miles first and let him know he’s officially lame for ditching me twice in one week.”
“Who knew Miles Hawthorne was such a flake?” I huffed out a quiet laugh.
“Probably just with me,” she said, shaking her head as she glanced down at her screen.
“No, I think something’s actually going on with him,” I said, not liking how she seemed to actually believe that. “He was acting off at our book club this week, too.”
A second later, my phone buzzed again. I glanced down to see her messages in the group chat.
Nora: I’m so sorry, Amanda. I hope your son gets feeling better. We’ll miss having you.
Then another.
Nora: And Miles… you’re officially blacklisted for ghosting me twice in a week.
Followed by a GIF of an animated character dramatically shaking their finger with the words You should be ashamed of yourself flashing across the screen.
I shook my head, a smile tugging at my mouth. “You really let him have it, didn’t you?”
She looked up, a hint of a grin playing at her lips. “Someone has to.”