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“What part?”

“That she’s a bit younger than me?”

I feel the back of my neck warm up under my sister’s gaze. I quickly shake my head. “Nope. Not weird. Totally fine! In fact, even a little encouraged. It’s boring to date someone exactly your age, right? Right. For sure. Anyway. Have plans for the rest of your day?”

My steps pick up speed as I rush over to the next cart corral, pulling them out while keeping an eye on the parking lot and making sure no cars are around. By the time I have them all pulled out and ready to push towards the building, I realize Tess still hasn’t responded. I chance a glance at her, finding her staring at me with wide eyes.

“What the actual fuck was that? Thane, spill. Right now.”

“There’s nothing to spill!”

“Oh yeah? Then where were you last night? Why are you blushing? Thane! Come on! Tell me!”

I let out a long sigh. Tess and I have never kept secrets from each other and I’m not about to start now.

“Okay, so here’s the thing,” I say slowly, pushing the carts towards the building. “I may or may not have a teeny, tiny crush. On someone.”

“Okay,” Tess says slowly, stretching out the word. “Why are you being so cagey about it?”

“It’s probably someone I shouldn’t be crushing on. Someone older than me.”

“You’ve always had an old soul,” Tess says with a little chuckle.

I give her a smile, falling back into familiar teasing. “That’s just what adults say to traumatized kids.”

“And the sentiment still stands.”

I shove the carts into place before heading back outside. “I’m just gonna tell you who it is and let you judge for yourself. Actually, no. I’m gonna tell you why I like him first, and then maybe that’ll soften the blow.”

“You’re getting so worked up, Thane. Deep breath. It doesn’t have to be as big of a deal as you’re making it out to be.”

“I’ve run into him a few times now,” I start to say, feeling my heart pick up speed. “He’s very handsome.”

“Most important part,” Tess teases with a chuckle.

“Shut it,” I say, shaking my head at her. I turn towards her, leaning my hip against the carts for a moment as I do my best to express what I’m feeling. “His presence is very calming. I think I’ve been so used to always going and always being on edge that just sitting with him has been really refreshing, you know? I ran into him last night while drunk,” I explain with a wince. “He took me home with him and made sure I drank water and let me sleep it off. Then he made me breakfast this morning. I don’t know, Tess. There’s just something about him that’s incredibly magnetizing."

“An older man with his shit together,” Tess says, tapping her chin. “Honestly? That sounds kinda perfect for you, Thane. He sounds like the type of person that would be safe to let your guard down with. Maybe even someone who could take care of you for once.”

My hands grip the handle of the cart tight. I nod my head, staring down at the ground.

“It’s Maverick Lee. The campus health department doctor.”

“Well shit,” Tess says before slapping a hand over her mouth. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

I crack a smile. “It’s fine. Nothing I haven’t been thinking myself.”

“A little older than I thought you’d go for but I still don’t think this is a bad thing. I think you should go for it.”

“I should just go for it? I’m busy with school and the twins and working and--”

“And,” Tess jumps in, cutting me off, “you deserve something good that’s just for you. You deserve to take a chance. You deserve someone who makes you happy and maybe takes a bit of the burden off your shoulders.”

“I’ll think about it,” I tell her.

She slaps my shoulder. “That’s all I ask.”

I bring the last of the carts inside. I go back to standing at Brandi’s lane, watching my sister duck deeper into the store to buy herself some snacks. It doesn’t take her long before she’s at checkout, tossing all the junk food onto the conveyer belt.