After Leah and I leave the frat house and get into a cab, tiredness hits me. I doze off, and she wakes me, squeezing my arm when the car stops outside our apartment building. 

"Did you like the party?" Leah asks me in the elevator.

"It was okay." I shrug. Okay, but not good. I would've enjoyed spending time at the group home way more than being on the receiving end of Elena's glares. Bast was acting weird, too, almost as if he was pissed at me. Why did I even think I'd figure him out? 

As soon as we're on our floor, I rummage in my purse and fish out my keys.

Leah beats me to it and unlocks our apartment door. "Are you too tired?" she asks as soon as we take off our shoes.

"A bit. Why?"

"I wanted to talk to you about something."

I'm probably too exhausted because I can't think of anything that can't wait until tomorrow. 

"Let's sit," I tell her.

The cat tail sewn onto Leah's black dress sways as she walks to the couch. She plops down on it and yanks off the pair of feline ears perched on top of her head.

I sink into the soft cushions by her side but sit upright fast because the temptation to fall asleep right here is too strong. "What's going on?" I ask, studying my roommate's flushed face.

"It's about my getaway with Brian."

Leah's boyfriend took her to his cabin on the beach this weekend. Does she need the morning after pill and doesn't know where to get one? Hopefully, it's something else because it's too late for that now.

My mouth opens, but Leah speaks first. "Brian bought an apartment. And I swear I knew nothing until this weekend. I still can't believe he asked me to move in with him."

My stomach drops. I swallow, directing my gaze to the fluffy rug on the living room floor. "So, you're moving out?"

Leah nods. "Yeah, but I feel awful. I don't want to let you down."

"He's your boyfriend. It's like taking a massive step in your relationship. I'm happy for you."

Leah covers her face with her palms and groans, slumping against the back of the couch. "You're too good to be true. But I still feel guilty, and so does Brian because Bast doesn't have enough money to pay for the apartment on his own, and it's too late to look for someone he could share it with."

A twinge of pity tugs at my insides. I shiver and pinch the skin on my forearm so hard I might have a bruise there later.

It's not my business. That he doesn't have enough isn't my problem. I shouldn't care about him at all.

"Brian thinks you two would make good roommates."

I whip my head around and stare at Leah. "What?"

"That was my reaction too," she says. "But then I thought about it, and he's right. Bast is tidy and really quiet. I never know he's there when I stay at Brian's, and their apartment is twice as big as this one."

I narrow my eyes. "Leah. Don't you remember anything I told you?"

"I saw him look at you today. I don't think he hates you. He's just serious and can be grouchy, but think about it. You'd have a better room, and we wouldn't feel like the crappiest friends ever."

"So, Bast knows?"

"Not yet." Leah glances at the clock on the wall. "Well, Brian might've told him by now. He'll text me."

"If you guys think Sebastian will say yes, you're more optimistic than I thought. That's not going to happen."

And if my therapist's,  Dr. Jennings', words about how important it was for me not to be alone didn't keep replaying in my head, I wouldn't agree to something so absurd, either. Unlike Sebastian, I can afford to live on my own.

He stormed out of the kitchen at the frat house just because I was there and called me Barbie again. And then, as I danced, his stare burned me. It's as if he expected me to break something so he could laugh.

Leah's phone vibrates in her purse. She gets it and unlocks the screen. 

Instead of frowning like I thought she would, she beams at me and claps. "Bast said yes. He wants to talk to you."

***

The conversation with Sebastian will happen tonight. He wanted to see me after the second lecture, but I missed classes — there's something important I need to do.

The fog hangs over the woods behind Mav's garden like a thick white curtain this morning. As soon as I get out of my Maserati, I blow at my palms and rub them together to buy myself a moment to plan my next move.

Blanche is still at home. I see her in the kitchen window, getting breakfast ready. There's no time to waste, so I take a calming breath and unlock the rusty gate.

It gives in with a screech, breaking the stillness. I grow calmer with every step toward my friend's home. What's the worst that can happen? If she says no, I'll use every argument I rehearsed to convince her.

The front door opens after I knock on it three times.

"Tara." Blanche's eyes widen, and she steps back. "I didn't expect to see you."

"Good morning, Blanche. I'm sorry. I should've called."

"No, it's okay. Come in. Mav is getting dressed in his room."

I follow her to the kitchen, but instead of sitting like she tells me to, I retrieve two colorful invitations from my tote bag and hand them to her. "This is why I'm here."

Blanche scrunches her brows and traces the photo of a Monarch butterfly with her fingertip. "An exhibition? Today?"

"They brought the species Mav dreamed of seeing. I would've told you sooner, but a friend got these for me and gave them to me this morning."

"Tara, I have to work."

"I know. I wanted to ask you if Mav could see it with me. I'll drop him off later."

"You know he's—"

"I'll take care of him. I promise. It'll make him happy, and it's only one day. Well,  only one afternoon. We'll be back before you finish work."

"I don't know." Blanche's eyes dart from me to the glossy leaflets in her hands. 

"Please?"

"Alright." She sighs. "Let me get Maverick."

The floorboards creak as I pace the kitchen, waiting for Mav and Blanche to appear in the doorway. 

Ten minutes later, they enter the room. Mav has combed his unruly dark hair, and I can't help grinning because it's going to be the first time we've gone out together to do something fun.

"Take care, okay?" Blanche looks at her son, but her words are directed at me.

"We will," I say. "Thank you for letting me do it."

Blanche pats my arm and accompanies us to the front door. 

Once we descend the steps of the old porch, I link my arm through Mav's and lead him to my car.

He stares at the Maserati, although he's seen it lots of times.

"Let's go," I say, opening the door for him.

When we've buckled up, I start the engine and drive away. 

The silence is thicker than the fog yet again. I would've put the radio on if I weren't hoping Mav would talk to me.

"I hope you love the exhibition," I say. "It's in the Nature Museum. I think you've never been there."

"Thank you."

Mav's words are quiet, but he said them, and my heart soars, powered by the newfound hope. 

"You're welcome. We're going to have a great time; you'll see."

Maverick pulls the invitations out of his pocket. The corners of his mouth twitch, and then he gives me a broad smile. "I know."

***

"Look at this. It's Palos Verdes blue."

Riveted to the spot, Maverick follows the movement of the thumbnail-sized butterfly with his eyes. He's spoken more in the last three hours than he has in the last five years without me asking him questions. The moment feels as fragile as the wings of the creatures fluttering behind the glass wall in front of us, and I'm scared to break it.

Only half an hour is left until I meet Bast. I won't have enough time to take Mav home, which means I'll have to take him with me.

"Mav." I clear my throat. "I need to see someone before we go home. Would you mind going with me? If not, it's okay. I'll cancel."

Not looking away from the blue-winged creature, Mav says, "Sure. I've seen everything. We can go."

We leave the museum building and step onto the bustling street. I've taken barely a few steps when a familiar voice makes me halt. "Tara!"

As I turn around, my eyes land on Sadie, who was one of my first clients. She never fails to like or comment on my posts. Although we both attend Bartley University, we hardly ever cross paths, and she's discreet enough not to blabber about my business in college hallways. 

"How have you been?" Sadie asks. "I'm so happy to see you." 

Mav shifts his weight by my side, and Sadie gives him a small wave.

"Sorry," I say. "He's Maverick. Mav, she's Sadie."

"We go to the same college," Sadie says. "Are you guys in a rush?"

"Unfortunately. But we can have coffee on campus tomorrow."

Sadie adjusts the strap of her purse on her shoulder and winks. "Sure. I'd love to catch up. I'll text you."

It's not until we're in my car that Mav speaks.

"Tara."

"Yeah?"

"She's pretty."

"She really is. She's a good girl, too."

Mav falls quiet and says nothing on the way to the coffee shop where Bast and I agreed to meet. Lucky for me, we're not super late, but nerves seize me as we cross the threshold of Coffee4Ever.

Sebastian chose this place. He's already waiting for me, staring out of the window and toying with a packet of sugar.

"Sorry we're a bit late," I say, approaching his table with Mav trailing behind me. 

When Bast notices him, his brows jump to his hairline. 

"Bathroom," Mav says and points toward a narrow hallway on our right.

"Sure. We'll be here," I say, sitting across from Sebastian.

That Mav chooses to leave us alone now makes things easier. I want to explain who he is so Bast knows, and although I don't have to, I'd rather tell Sebastian what made me arrive late. 

"Bast," I begin.

"Who's he, Barbie?" He smirks. "Another one of your baby boys?"

Another one? His words are absurd, but blood rushes to my face, and my hands shake. What on earth am I doing here? How many times will I convince myself to give him a chance to redeem himself? 

"Yeah," I say. "Another one because someone like me has lots of them. You know what? I think I'd better go before you insult me some more. Good luck looking for a roommate."

Maverick comes up to the table, and I rise from the chair. "Let's go, Mav. I can take you home now."

Mav struggles to keep up with me as I bolt out of the coffee shop. I don't stop until we're next to my Maserati. When my fingers wrap around the remote, Sebastian's loud voice carries through the half-empty lot.

"Tara! Wait!"

I press the button, and the car beeps. Confusion fills Mav's expression as he watches Bast run toward us.

"Don't," Sebastian says, panting. "I'm an idiot. I'm sorry; don't go."

He's a jealous idiot. But I know something you don't.

Hope you spent a wonderful Christmas and have some time to relax with your loved ones.

Love,
A.