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She’s the most interesting thing that’s happened to me. But I don’t want to come off insincere, responding just to placate her. “You are anything but plain, or normal,” I assure her. “Far from normal,” I tease, bringing our laced fingers to my lips and kissing her hand.
That makes her laugh.
“And to address the other part, I do owe you respect, Astrid. I will always be upfront with you. I would never lie to you. Never.” I emphasize the last word. I need to her to understand this.
She doesn’t respond right away, and I wonder if what I’ve said is wrong.
I try again. “I wouldn’t go behind your back, Astrid. I promise. I wasn’t expecting any of this. So I’m just as cautious as you are.”
She shoots me a look that suggests she doesn’t believe me. But it’s not a sad look, more a mix of skepticism with something else. It is like I can see the words start to sink in and work their way through the cloud of doubt in her mind.
“Your turn to talk,” I say, nudging her shoulder gently. I need to know what she’s thinking. Or what she’s afraid of. But I am determined to find out. By the time I’m done with her, I will know everything about her.
She takes a long sip of her coffee. “So you’re saying you’re not sneaking around kissing a bunch of girls and me?” There is a hint of teasing in her voice that makes me relax.
“Correct. That is what I’m saying.”
She smiles, exhaling deeply. “Okay.” There is a spring in her step that tells me she’s processed whatever thoughts were keeping her down. “Promise me one thing, okay?”
“Okay.”
“You’ll never embarrass me. I don’t care if this works out doesn’t, just please don’t embarrass me.”
I think of the tabloids and the drama I’ve already experienced without a relationship. I don’t think I’d be able to handle that level of scrutiny myself.
“I promise.” It is an easy promise to make. I would never want to hurt Astrid.
And I think she believes me, because she insists on making another loop around the neighborhood before we head back home.
“Thank you,” she says, standing on her tiptoes to kiss me once we’re inside.
“Did you, uh—” I pause to grab us each a water. “Did you want to hang out until I have practice later?” I ask. “We can get takeout or something.”
“Yeah, that sounds nice.” She gulps down her water. “Let me just go change real quick.” I watch her hips sway down the hall.
I can’t imagine anyone ever thinking that is plain.
“Don’t forget to give back my hoodie,” I call after her, but she waves a hand dismissively in my direction. I don’t think I’ll ever get that back again.
The thought makes me smile for some reason.
I take a seat at the kitchen island to wait for her, scrolling through my recent food deliveries, trying to decide which one sounds the most delicious when Astrid’s phone starts ringing. I look around to see if she’s back yet, but I haven’t heard her come up. The phone rings and rings. I can’t see who it is because the screen is turned over. I don’t want to be rude, but I also don’t want to listen to this ringing. Violet is still asleep, and I sure as hell don’t want to wake her up early on a weekend. I press the side to silence it and go back to ordering.
It rings again. And again.
Jesus. Whoever this is isn’t taking the hint.
I silence the ringer by pressing the side button and hoping that it stops. Whoever wants to get a hold of her is determined.
Immediately after I silence the phone, another call comes through.
I give up. “Astrid’s phone,” I answer.
“Sean?” Heather asks. She sounds confused, pausing for a second like she’s unsure. The silence only broken up by terrible coughs.
“Astrid left her phone, what’s up? You sound awful.” I hold the phone away from my ear when she starts coughing again.
“I need to cancel our plans tomorrow,” she groans. “I have a fever and a cough. I can’t go to the farm. Will you tell her how sorry I am? I’ll send her flowers.”
