“Can I get you anything?” my mom asked Dax. “Water, a snack . . . ?”
I thought she was going to finish that sentence with the words a hug so I took Dax by the hand and led him away. He had been so quiet during the exchange that I was worried he was going to change his mind about wanting to be committed to someone if that commitment came with parents like mine.
“Sorry,” I said.
“No, I’m sorry. I’m not really good with parents. I didn’t know what to say. They were really nice. I’ll get better.”
I laughed and pulled him into a hug. “You’re the cutest. And you did fine. I think you’re already their favorite. You don’t have to do much now.”
“Cutest?”
I kissed him. “Yes, is that not an adjective you like?”
“I can live with it.”
I smiled and pointed to my beanbag chair. “Sit. I need to finish getting ready.”
Instead of sitting, Dax started walking around my room, looking at the pictures on my walls. Some were ones I’d taken, some were by photographers I admired. He stopped at my dresser to look at candid shots of my friends and me. I hadn’t thought in the last twenty-four hours to look through those pictures and take down ones that might bother him. Like the one I’d stared at for months of Jeff and me, his arm slung over my shoulder, me looking at him instead of the camera. I shook it off. It was too late now.
I grabbed my mascara and walked to my full-length mirror.
Dax nodded his head toward the pictures. “Did you take any of these?”
“No. Well, I mean, yes, probably some of them. But those are just ones from my phone or that friends texted me. My real ones are on my computer.”
“Can I see them?”
“You want to see them?”
“Of course.”
I grabbed my computer and powered it on. Then I pulled up my photo library and handed my laptop to him. He sat in the chair and began scrolling through it.
I watched him for a nervous moment, while I still held my open mascara, and that’s when he looked up and asked the question. “Are you sure you want to go to this party? We don’t have to.”
“I actually feel good today. I think I’ll be good.”
“We could go on a hike instead. There’s this gorgeous trail that’s quiet and overlooks the valley. I think you’d like it.”
That did sound amazing. “Yes.”
“Yes?”
“Yes. Let’s do that tomorrow.”
He nodded hesitantly, then looked back at the computer. “These are really good, Autumn. This one of the frozen web is amazing.”
“You don’t think I’ll be good at the party?”
“No, it’s not that.”
That’s when it hit me. “Oh! You don’t want to go to this party.”
He chuckled. “I’m sure you’ve noticed, I’m not great with . . . well . . . people.”
I smiled, tossed my mascara back on the dresser, and sank to the floor next to him. “You’re great with me.”
He put aside the computer and pulled me up onto the beanbag chair next to him.
I ran my fingers through his hair. “We don’t have to stay long. It’s just the celebration for Jeff getting out of the hospital and, you know, being alive and stuff. I feel like it’s important that I go. And I want you to go with me. Officially meet my friends.”
He wrapped his arms around my waist and held me close. Maybe I didn’t want to go to the party after all.
“I have something for you,” he said.
“You do?”
He shifted and pulled something out of his pocket. It was a bright pink bracelet.
I lowered my brow. “Where did you get that? I threw mine away.”
“I figured as much. I went by the library.” He took my wrist and tied it there, then held up his own wrist. The bracelet, which he’d always worn on his right hand, was now on his left, crossing the tattoo. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to. I leaned my forehead on his shoulder, a smile on my face.
It was loud and noisy and crowded, just like the last party Dallin had thrown. I reminded myself there was an empty laundry room available anytime I needed it. That seemed to settle down my fast-beating heart. Not to mention Dax’s hand in mine. I led him through the crowd, introducing him to different people, including Jeff and Dallin, until I found Lisa.
She hip-checked me. “Hey, baby. You made it. And you brought your boy.” She smiled at Dax. “Hi, I’m Lisa.”
“Hi,” Dax said.
“I’ve seen you around. Most recently last night at Iceberg where you were trying to win over my best friend.”
Dax held up our linked hands. “I think I won.”
She nodded. “You won the best heart in the world, so take care of it.”
I looked at Lisa in surprise. She wasn’t normally so sentimental.
She met my stare, then said, “Can I steal you to dance with me, or would you rather stay here where it’s less crowded?”
“I would love to dance with you.” I squeezed Dax’s hand. “You good?”
“I’m fine.”
Lisa dragged me to the middle of the crowd. “I didn’t have a chance to talk to you last night at all.”