Page 173 of That Rush

Paige smiles over the rim of her cup.

“Third Saturday in August,” Mom continues. “Five o’clock. Just our branch unless your father loses control of the guest list.”

“We’ll be there.”

Paige lowers her coffee.

Mom makes a pleased sound. “Good. Adrienne already said yes, and Axel is checking with Sadie. I’m also trying to settle the October bonfire while everyone still has their calendars open. Will Paige come to that too?”

“Yes.”

“Aiden,” Paige says.

Her voice stays light, but I look at her.

She lifts one eyebrow. “You may want to consult the woman whose calendar you’re volunteering.”

“I thought you were free.”

“You did not ask.”

Mom goes quiet on the other end of the call.

I sit back in my chair. “You’re right. Sorry.”

Paige’s expression softens, though she does not wave it away.

“Paige,” Mom says, “would you like to come to the cookout?”

“Thank you for asking me directly, Deven.”

The words are warm. The point beneath them is clear enough that my mother releases a quiet laugh.

“I raised him with manners,” Mom says. “What he does with them as an adult is his responsibility.”

“Apparently he stores them beside the library scissors.”

“I knew I liked you.”

“You’ve said that before.”

“I like you more now.”

I reach over and hook two fingers around Paige’s ankle. “Are you coming?”

“I need to check the library calendar, but probably.”

“Probably?”

Her foot nudges my thigh. “It’s the only answer I have until I look.”

“What about October?”

“That is two months away.”

“Yes. That’s generally how calendars work.”

“And it’s a long time from now.”