Holden
Oh! I was worried for a second he was allowed to eat raw fish
Dealla
Nope, sushi comes later in life. So what’s up?
Holden
Nothing. As I said, I’m bored
Dealla
Well, there’s a lot you can do in Austin, but Ash has to go down for a nap soon, so I can’t exactly play tour guide…
But if you don’t mind hanging out with a seriously under-caffeinated and over-homeworked college student and a hyperactive toddler, I guess you could hang out here for a while?
Holden
Really?
Oh, don’t make me regret this, I think even as I send back a message with my address. The typing bubble appears then disappears before hisBe there sooncomes in. I glance at Ashton, snorting out a laugh when he smashes two crackers together with smacking lips. He grins back, and I round the bar-counter to take the fish he offers.
“Auntie Dee has to get changed, okay? So you sit here and eat your snack, then we’ll do some art.”
Ashton responds by crunching on another cracker. I tousle his hair then head to my bedroom. I know it doesn’t really matter what I wear. It isn’t like this is a date, after all. It’s just a chance for two maybe-we-could-be-friends to hang out and while away time. But a ratty pair of pajama shorts and a baggy T-shirt is not a style I want anyone to associate with me; not even my actual friends see me this way often. Even as I grab my favorite leggings and tunic combo, however, I wonder why I would possibly care about Holden’s opinion. It is almost a guarantee we won’t ever see each other after today, anyway.
“An’ Dee!”
“What’s up, little man?” I stifle a giggle when I step out of my room. Ashton’s face is covered with orange-yellow crumbs, some even in his hair. “You’re a mess, buddy. Are you done?”
“’Es!”
I rush through washing his face and as much of his hair as possible, then I set him on the floor. He immediately moves toward the bin of toys in the corner. I turn to the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water from inside, but pause in the middle of cracking the lid open. Another knock sounds on the door a second later. I double-check that Ashton is engrossed in his toys before I head to the entryway.
“It is ridiculously difficult to find this place, and the maps on the walls aren’t any help” is the first thing Holden says when I open the door.
I shrug in apology and scratch at the end of my eyebrow. “Sorry. If you’d texted when you got here, I coulda told you the exact route to take.”
“I… didn’t think of that.”
“Well, obviously.” I step back so he can enter, locking the door behind him. His brow rises, and I realize belatedly what it must look like. “Gotta keep the door locked. Ashton knows how to use the handle. But don’t worry, you can leave whenever you want. I’m not gonna, like, murder you and wear your skin while selling your eyeballs on the black market.”
“That really doesn’t make me feel any better,” he splutters, but his laughter breaks free nonetheless.
“Too specific?” I ask sheepishly.
“Much.”
I lead him to the living room, gesture toward the couch. Ashton doesn’t look away from the stuffed koala he chews on or the cars in his hand, but I hadn’t expected him to. I hesitate then ask if Holden wants a drink. He nods then returns to looking around the apartment.
Nerves overtake me with a ferocity I didn’t anticipate. Extending the invitation had been as unexpected for me as it clearly had been for him. I’d sent it without any real thought, and now that he’s here, I very much hate my past-self for the impulsiveness. For doing something so unlike me. But something about him had seemed—does seem—so approachable, so harmless.
This is easy. He’s just a person. Calm down.
“So,” Holden starts, and I turn to see him jerking his chin toward the toddler in middle of the room. “This must be the infamous Ashton.”
My lips twitch, and I bite back the smile as I uncap my water bottle. “Yep. This little guy is why I don’t have a life. Hey, Ash, can you say hi to Holden?”
