Page 65 of Forgotten Prejudice

With Paris out playing with his truck, it was just us three for the first time since we were teens.

“It’s good to see you, Zoe,” Ash said while getting up to greet her with an awkward hug.

“Yeah, it’s been too long.”

Despite the fact these two never actually fought, I’d always had the feeling they weren’t fans of each other. As a stupid teen, I didn’t get too much into it. Ash was my best friend, my ride-or-die, and Zoe was my girlfriend at the time. Now, it was clear that it was much more complicated than that because all our feelings were involved. I understood how deep this thing between them was years later, when Ash was no longer in the picture and Zoe still brought up his name in arguments. She often told me how unfair I was for putting him first, even when it wasn’t the case. Truth was, I’d been putting him last for way too long, but she had no idea. Even if she did know, she was too jealous of him to care. Even more so after I came out to her. And despite how angry her throwing out Ash’s name years later always made me feel, I couldn’t blame her. In a way, I was being unfair because even now, I loved him more than I’d ever loved her.

“I didn’t know you’d be here,” Zoe said, her eyes moving between me and Ash as if she was looking for some kind of explanation. Thankfully, Ash quickly provided one.

“I’m here for a couple of days, that’s all.”

A couple of days? Did that mean he’d be here tomorrow, too?

“Oh, well, that’s good to know.” Zoe faked a smile before turning to me. “Anyway, I came because I need you to watch Paris today and tomorrow.”

I frowned at her. “You know I’d love to, but I’ve got work, Zo. I thought we agreed on the weekend?”

She sighed. “I know, alright? But the research team is going on a two-day sail, and I can’t miss it. My research depends on it.” She was currently doing her master’s degree in marine biology.

“Can’t your parents help?”

“They’re on vacation,” she explained, then tilted her head. “Please, Kai, if it weren’t important, I wouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s not that simple, and you know it.” I took my phone and checked the time. “My shift starts in less than an hour. I can’t cancel at the last minute and screw them up like that.”

“Please, it’s not rocket science. You can find a replacement at the restaurant while I can’t. This research is relying on me, Kai.”

Her words rubbed me the wrong way, and my frown deepened. “They rely on me at the restaurant, too.” I crossed my arms over my chest while trying not to get angry. I knew she was doing her best, splitting time between her studies and Paris, but so was I. Despite wanting to raise my kid, I also had responsibilities toward the restaurant.

“Listen, I don’t want to argue—”

“I can help,” Ash jumped in, and we both turned to look at him.

“Seriously?” I beamed at the same time Zoe said she didn’t think it was a good idea. My eyes quickly shot to her. “Why the fuck not? We both need help, and Ash just offered it.”

“Paris doesn’t know him.”

“We just introduced them.” I pinned her with a harsh look. “Besides, Paris seemed to like Ash,” I pointed out.

“And how did you decide on that?” Zoe questioned with a raised brow.

“Didn’t you see how Paris smiled at him?”

She rolled her eyes. I fucking hated when she did that.

“The kid smiles when he sees a garbage truck, Kai. But anyway.” She shifted her attention to Ash, who still stood in silence beside us. “You sure about doing it? He’s an energetic kid.”

I snorted. “By that, she means he’s a little devil—ouch!” I grimaced as Zoe slapped my arm.

“Ignore Kai for a second.” Her voice turned serious. “Are you sure about staying with him?”

“Yeah, of course. I’m sure Paris and I would have a great time. And I would love to help if I can.”

With that, the matter was settled.

After telling Ash everything he needed and didn’t need to know about Paris, we both left. I was a bit nervous my kid would drive Ashy nuts, because Paris sure had the ability to do that, but I was also excited for them to hang out. About mid-shift, I texted Ash, asking how things were going. He replied with an image of him and Paris building a sandcastle on the beach, and fuck me sideways if that picture didn’t make me miss a fucking beat.

I was impatient for my shift to be over, and the second I was done cleaning my stand, I got the hell out of there. By the time I got home, all the lights were off. A bit disappointed for missing them awake, I reminded myself it was past midnight before sneaking up to my room. But as I pushed the door open to find my kid and Ash asleep on my bed with Where the Wild Things Are between them, I melted right there on the spot. The idea of Ash reading Paris a bedtime story before falling asleep with him struck me hard. I realized that the emotions I held for Ash weren’t the remnants of a failed youthful love but an actual love that had been rekindled. It wasn’t just love but the need to form a new connection. To build something. A desire to live with a person who’d just now come back into my life but never really left.