I was too surprised to find the words to answer him.

It wasn’t just because of what he said, but because of the warmth, it sparked in my chest. I had thought Jared had just stayed for Maya so that she wouldn’t be alone or be dragged to every open house… Knowing that Jared actually enjoyed coming over made me happier than it probably should have.

It also made it a little easier to smile and laugh through dinner. We didn’t get to eat together often; I was usually home much later on the days he had to stay over, but it was nice. It made the house feel warmer, livelier, like an echo of happier days.

I hadn’t realized how much I missed having somebody with us.

After putting Maya to bed, I didn’t have to clean an empty house in unsettling silence; there was somebody else to say goodnight to… even if part of me didn’t want to. I knew he’d be gone by the time I got up in the morning, leaving everything neatly folded like he hadn’t been there at all.

It tugged at my chest, feeling like he’d just disappear again. ‘Idiot. You’re the one that disappeared.’

As Jared made up the couch, already changed into pajama pants and a t-shirt, I hesitated. Though the usual ‘good night’ was on the tip of my tongue, my gaze dropped as I tugged at the long sleeves of my own pajamas. “You know…” I pulled in a breath, building my courage. “You don’t have to leave in the morning. I could make breakfast—not that I can do much, but I can put waffles in the toaster at least.”

Jared stopped, looking at me hesitantly before breaking eye contact and gazing instead at his feet. “I have to be at school early… I wouldn’t want to trouble you that much or put Maya out of her schedule. Plus, I mean, you have work to get to and—” he froze, touching one arm across his body, a worried look on his face, “you know I don’t like driving.”

“I know…” I tried to force my tone to stay light; despite the habit that my cheerful façade had become, it was harder to pretend in front of Jared. “Sorry. I’m sure it’s already hard getting up that early as it is, without asking you to waste more time on us. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. You already do more than I could ever ask for.” I felt pathetic, stopping myself from saying anything else.

Jared bit his lip, taking a moment before saying, “I could...stay over Friday. We could all go somewhere on the weekend, like the park. We could go sledding and come back and have hot chocolate,” he stuttered as he added, “Y-You know...if you’re not busy.”

My face brightened instantly. “I’m not busy,” I assured him, though I wasn’t actually sure what my schedule was. I would happily move anything that was in the way, no matter how much Abigail complained about it. “I haven’t had much time since the move, so I’m sure Maya would love to go out. And I’d like to spend more time with you, too.”

Jared laughed nervously under his breath. “Alright. It’s a date.” His eyes grew wide the moment he had said it, surprising himself. “I mean… You know. It sounds good.”

“Y-yeah. It’ll be…fun.” He had me at a loss again, anxious and unsure what I could say to get rid of the sudden awkward tension in the air. It was like when we had reunited, how many weeks ago? The wordless staring, my voice caught in my throat… When a few moments of pulling at my sleeve didn’t reveal the answer to cure my awkwardness, I forced a smile to my face.

Jared nodded, equally unsure what to say. “I should probably get some sleep,” he offered, clearly as an out.

“Yes! Yes, um… have a good night,” I muttered, unable to look at him except for a quick glance to make sure he had heard me. Using a low whistle to catch Bear’s attention, I retreated to my bedroom and closed the door softly.

My back hit the door hard once it was shut as if I were trying to barricade it.

My mind was reeling as I closed my eyes. The blush on Jared’s cheeks as he made dinner—not to mention the way my heart had reacted—confused me as much as how hard I had tried to get him to stay and his offer to go out on the weekend. The word ‘date’ echoed in my mind, making me question everything he’d said.

Could it be?

‘Is he falling for me?’