Page 21
“How about we go for a walk?” I ask suddenly, redirecting my thoughts from wandering.
“A walk?”
I nod a little too eagerly. “It would be good to get out of the house and enjoy some fresh air. I was thinking of making pork tacos for dinner after.”
“Holy shit. Marry me.”
The unfiltered words leave his mouth casually enough that neither of us react at first. Then his eyes widen as the realization settles in.
“I mean,” Ollie says quickly, clearing his throat, “not literally.”
“Obviously,” I manage between more giggles.
“Good. Cool. Great.”
I press my lips together, determined not to crack, but the tension in his shoulders makes it impossible. “Oh my God,” I wheeze. “You got stressed so fast.”
“I did not.”
“You absolutely did, Braxton.”
Ollie groans, dragging a hand down his face while I laugh harder. The awkwardness lasts exactly three seconds before Tilly lets out a loud sneeze between us.
“Bless you,” Ollie says, rubbing her back in small circles. “Give me ten minutes to get her changed and I’m ready.”
“Take your time,” I say, still smiling.
He disappears down the hallway with Tilly, talking softly about how he apparently has the worst comedic timing imaginable.
I use the time to freshen up a little, brushing my hair and changing out of the oversized T-shirt I’d been wearing all afternoon. By the time Ollie reappears, I’ve traded my outfit for a soft blue sundress with little white flowers scattered across the fabric.
Ollie pauses when he sees me. “That color looks really good on you.”
I don't know what to do with a compliment that isn't followed by a joke at my expense. Nathan used to notice when I'd bought a new dress or spent extra time getting ready, but he'd never once said anything nice. If anything, he'd tease me for making an effort or ask who I was trying to impress.
Heat creeps into my cheeks as I duck my head. “Thanks. You ready?”
“Let’s go.”
As we amble through the neighborhood, Ollie pushes the stroller, one hand steady on the handlebar while the other occasionally adjusts the canopy when sunlight slips through the trees overhead. I soak in my surroundings, turning slowly as if I might miss the details.
“I can’t believe I’m here,” I sigh dreamily, throwing my arms out and spinning once on the sidewalk before stopping myself from crashing into a mailbox.
“Careful there, Miss California,” Ollie teases. The nickname is clearly a joke, but I still find myself weirdly charmed by it.
“I mean, look at all of it,” I say, gesturing toward the skyline. “That doesn’t even feel real.”
He laughs and steers us down the gentle slope toward the water. “Honestly, I still think the same.”
“But you’ve lived here for years.”
“Sure, but the realization still hits me out of nowhere. I’ll be taking the trash out or heading to the grocery store and suddenly remember I live here now. It’s weird in the best way.”
“That’s actually kind of adorable.” I turn his way with a teasing smile, asking, “You’re also from Nebraska, right? Like Eli, Rose and Jax.”
He nods. “I was born and raised in small towns but moved to Omaha right after high school.”
“That must’ve been a huge adjustment coming from Nebraska to Brooklyn.”
