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Not that he regretted the trip. Quite the opposite, in fact. He was grateful he’d taken the opportunity for multiple reasons. It had been fantastic to be able to meet the professors who’d be teaching his classes, speak with the other students, and get a more in-depth introduction to the program.

And then, of course, he’d gotten to meet up with Ash, not once but twice . . .

He’d take the whole trip again in a heartbeat if it meant getting to spend more time with Ash.

But part of him had started to wonder if it had really been worth it and what his future held.

He’d worked up the courage to ask Ash out—at some uncertain, as-of-yet-unknown time in the future. But what if that future could never happen because he couldn’t travel without causing his mom worry and stress? Could he do it again? Knowingly upset his mom . . . just to make himself happy?

Ash hadn’t even said yes yet, and so all of Cass’s worry and speculation might not even matter one bit if Ash wasn’t interested.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Cass pushed open the door to his bedroom and went inside. He didn’t bother flipping on the light, and instead, he just dropped his overnight bag on the floor by his closet, stripped down to his briefs, and collapsed into bed on his back.

He had to get up early; his dad would be leaving for work around seven, and he needed to be up to check in with him before then, maybe make his dad breakfast as a thank you for letting Cass go to Seattle. Yet he didn’t feel like sleep was going to be happening anytime soon. His mind was too jumpy, his heart fretting and unsettled.

Groaning, he turned onto his stomach and propped himself up on his elbows, then opened up his phone and clicked back to his last message to Ash.

Cass (10:16 p.m.): Plane just touched down. You’d laugh at the size of this airport. Two minutes and I’ll be outside at the front ;)

There was still no response, and maybe if he wasn’t already in a strange mood, he wouldn’t think too much of it. Because Ash was probably sleeping. Or busy.

But it was also completely possible Cass had made things too awkward earlier and so Ash didn’t know how to respond. Or wasn’t ever going to respond.

He set his phone down on the bed next to him and buried his head in his pillow, trying to let his mind settle so he could sleep.

Nothing happened.

Except that his brain kept replaying moments from the day. Good ones. Ones that had made him feel hopeful and seen and like maybe, probably, Ash might have feelings for him, too. There had been a bunch of those. Little moments where their eyes had met or Ash’s expression had changed or his smile had shifted into something different. And that moment out on the pier when Ash had leaned into Cass’s shoulder.

He still felt that one.

A warmth rippled through him, deep and sure, just as it had on the pier, and he groaned again and rolled over onto his back.

He gave in, knowing he wouldn’t be sleeping for a while, and he picked his phone back up. Joe had texted, and so he took a moment to respond with another thank you. Then he wasted time playing some mindless word game until he nearly dropped the phone on his face when he started nodding off.

He’d just scooted over to set his phone on the nightstand so he could finally try to sleep when it buzzed with an incoming text message notification. Ash’s name popped up on the screen, and Cass’s heart slammed to a stop in his chest.

Ash (11:47 p.m.): Yes

He sat up slowly and scooted over until his back was against the wall.

Cass (11:48 p.m.): Yes, you’d laugh at the size of the airport?

Ash (11:48 p.m.): no

Ash (11:48 p.m.): sorry

Ash (11:48 p.m.): I mean maybe I would

Ash (11:48 p.m.): yes is my answer

Ash (11:48 p.m.): to you question from earlier

Ash (11:48 p.m.): at the pier

Cass closed his eyes and took a breath, trying to rein in the sudden elation that coursed through him. He took another breath, slower this time, and then shook his head, grinning, as he typed back a short message.

Cass (11:49 p.m.): Can I call you?