Page 113 of The Incredible Ordinary

He gives an almost bashful grin and nods. It feels like I’ve passed a test.

I told you something a while ago, and you remembered.

“Do you play an instrument?”

He shakes his head. “I took piano lessons for a year, but I didn’t like it that much.”

“Okay, so, set designs, huh?”

“I got to help with the set ofThe Wizard of Ozwhen they played it in Chicago,” he says. “I was seven. It was just before we moved to Phoenix.”

“Yeah?” I smile.

He nods. “Belinda said I had an eye for color.”

He looks so proud in that moment. It’s sweet. It’s how he should feel about himself. I’m suddenly envious of this Belinda that she knew what to say to make Rory feel like this.

He catches himself too soon.

“Do you—” I start to say.

“Ditch the suit,” he says, speaking over me. “Seriously. You look like the tax attorney my mom once dated. Dale. He bought me an iPad and then said he wanted it back when he and Mom broke up two weeks later.”

“And?” I ask. I honestly don’t know what to expect now.

“I accidentally dropped it and stepped on it right as I was about to hand it to him,” he says before he turns around and walks out the door.

I put on a different shirt, and roll the sleeves up to my elbows.

Not too bad.

I glance at my watch and let out a string of curses before I grab my wallet, phone, and keys, and rush out of my room. I get past the kitchen where Aiden is standing behind the counter and have already pulled one of my boots on when the smell registers.

“Aiden?” I call out. No reply.

I jump toward the kitchen, holding my booted foot in the air, and stop in the doorway.

“Aiden!” I snap.

He looks up from his book.

“Yeah?”

“Whatever you’re cooking there is a few steps past the point of burning.”

He looks down at the pan and blinks for a few seconds before he finally snaps out of it.

“Oh shit!” He grabs the pan and sticks it in the sink. A second later the fire alarm starts to beep.

“What’s happening?” Rory comes to a halt in the doorway and looks around with wide eyes.

I give up, put my foot down, and go and open all the windows. Aiden waves a towel at the alarm until it quiets down. He wipes his forehead and blows out a breath before he gingerly pokes at the charred mess in the pan.

“Nothing much. Just Aiden trying to burn down the place,” I tell Rory. “Hey, are you free tonight? I think I might need a babysitter.”

“Do I get paid?” he asks.

“That’s how jobs usually work.” I pull out my wallet and toss it to him. “I’m already late. Run to that restaurant on the corner and grab dinner to go for you and your charge. There’s enough cash there to cover it. You can keep whatever change you get.”