When I’m done, I slip under my covers and grab my phone to message her.
Ryan: Hey, how are you?
Hopefully she’s still awake.
While I wait for her to reply, I double-check my alarm for the morning and get settled in bed.
Just as I lie down, my phone lights up with a message.
Harper: Hey. I’m good. What about you? How was your day?
Ryan: Could have been better, could have been worse. I’m glad it’s over now. How’s your face doing?
Harper: It’s fine. Definitely looks more like a black eye today, but at least I could take off my bandage.
Ryan: I hate that you got hurt.
Harper: Shit happens.
A scoff escapes me at her answer. Then I remember how she told me all the things that have happened to her in the last year. That makes me glad she has this attitude because it couldn’t have been easy to go through everything she has, especially if she doesn’t have anyone around.
Ryan: Sadly, it does, yes.
Harper: Are you off to bed now?
I like that she listened to me when I told her about my daily routine.
Ryan: In just a minute.
Harper: Get some good sleep.
Ryan: Thank you.
Just ask her already.
Ryan: Do you want to hang out tomorrow night? We could go out for dinner, or a movie, or whatever really.
Harper: Are you asking me on a date?
I look at the words on the screen so long that they turn blurry. Huh. Am I asking her on a date?
Ryan: I guess it depends.
Harper: On what?
Ryan: On your answer.
Does she even want to date me? I’m definitely interested after spending more time with her. She’s kind and funny, not to mention considerate and polite, which is a huge bonus point in my book. Her being the mother of my child isn’t a reason to date her, but it definitely makes me want to try it even more.
Harper: Is this smart? I think I’m a little scared.
The fact that she tells me this makes my decision final.
Ryan: We can take things slowly. One day at a time.
Harper: I could do that.
Ryan: Is that a yes, then?