“In fall?”
“I didn’t think you were the type of girl who would only eat ice cream at certain times of the year.”
She smiles. “Correct, you passed the test. Next question.”
“Biggest fear?”
“Losing the people I love.”
I press my lips together, wanting to lighten the mood again. “Stay in or go out?”
“Go out.”
That’s not surprising since she’s always on the move and working incredibly hard to achieve her dream.
Kelsey grabs my hand. “I want to know your answers.”
“Blue. Morning person. ‘Tearin’ Up My Heart’ by NSYNC. Mountain getaway. Peanut butter sauce. Bats. Go out.”
“The morning person was obvious by your workout habits.” She shoots me a teasing smile but then quirks an eyebrow. “But you’re a big, strong man who’s scared of bats?ThatI’m surprised by.”
“I would save you from anything else—spiders, snakes, quicksand, a burning car. But bats…” I shudder. “Sorry, but you’d be on your own.”
Kelsey leans her head back and laughs. It’s the kind of sound I wouldn’t mind hearing forever, especially if I’m the cause of it.
My gaze moves to the setting sun. “We should get home so I can get Evie to bed.” I grab all of our trash and throw it out.
Walking back to the car, Kelsey leans her head against my arm, and it feels like the most natural thing in the world.
Though I don’t know what the future holds for us, I hope this will become our new normal.
Afterpullingonarainbow sweater, in honor of Evie's newest favorite color, I give Winston a kiss goodbye on the top of his head and make my way into the kitchen.
“It’s time to go support our girl.” I grab the floral arrangement from the kitchen table and smile at my three best friends. “Thanks for arranging this, Shay. It’s beautiful.”
“Only the best for Evie. Besides, every dancer deserves a bouquet after their recital.” Shayna grabs her car keys from the hook. “Now, everyone get in Daisy Mae before we’re late.”
We pile into her lipstick-red SUV, lovingly named after one of Shayna’s favorite Taylor Swift songs. She puts on her Taylor playlist but turns the volume down as Mallory and Alyssa turn to face me. Shayna eyes me in the rearview mirror.
I raise my eyebrows, looking between my friends. “What’s going on?”
“This is our first night all together since your date last weekend. We want to hear your happies from the week,” Alyssa says with a knowing smile.
“What, no crappies?”
“Oh, please.” Mallory rolls her eyes. “You haven’t been able to wipe the smile off your face all week.”
“Was it the perfect date?” Shayna glances back at me once she pulls to a stop at a red light.
“I suppose it was.” I’ve never thought about my perfect date. But if I were hooked up to a lie detector test and forced to answer what it was, I’d describe my date with Tyler in detail—volunteering at a dog shelter and spending the rest of the evening eating good food.
I tell my roommates all the details, smiling as I reflect on our day together.
“It’s sweet how well he knows you.” Shayna sighs. “I want to check out that burger truck. It sounds amazing.”
I nod. “We should go for our next girls' night. I’ve been dreaming about it every day since.”
“Have you been dreaming of his lips too?” Mallory puckers. I gently shove her arm.
