Page 177 of The Perfect Love

“How’s Amanda?” Trev asks.

“A lot better. Thankfully. It’s mostly Sarah that’s in a rough spot right now.”

“Oh! Rae said she and Aaron are talking about trying for a baby. Probably not until next year, but that’s exciting,” Hyla says. “Speaking of which, when are you two going to give me cute babies to play with?”

I stifle a laugh as Trevor mutters under his breath.

“You know, if you want kids to play with, maybe you should have one,” Trevor tells her, glaring at her in the rearview mirror.

“Yeah, I’m good. I’d much rather everyone else have cute babies that I can steal for a little while and then give back,” she says.

“Has anyone told you that you’re extremely selfless?” Trev deadpans.

Hyla sticks out her tongue at him, even though he can’t see it. “Excuse me? I think babysitting people’s kids so they can go out and have fun is selfless. Or at least not selfish. Either way, you’re avoiding my question.”

“Hyla,” Trevor grumbles, but I just smile.

Talking about this stuff in front of Hyla doesn’t bother me.

“I don’t know. Trevor once said he didn’t want to wait a long time to have kids.”

“Really? We’re going to do this now? With Hyla in the car?”

I shrug. “It’s not like she won’t know as soon as we start trying anyway.”

He glances at me in surprise, then shakes his head. “Okay, love of my life, when would you like to start having children?”

“I’ve been thinking lately that I’d like to start having kids younger. I mean, I always wanted that to some degree, but with graduation in less than a year? I don’t know. I’m open to discussion.”

Trevor grumbles again. “Now I really wish Hyla wasn’t in the car.”

“Okay, if you’re going to start dirty talking or reveal you have a pregnancy kink, I’m putting my noise canceling headphones on.”

“No,” I say quickly. “You’re good.” Then I rest my hand on Trevor’s thigh. “We’ll put a pin in that for later.”

Even though I’m not putting a pin in anything. I’m thinking about what I want and when I want it. In fact, I’m channeling all my energy into it, hoping it’ll distract me as Trevor pulls off the exit that leads us into Syracuse.

Okay, I’ve been in Syracuse for more than ten minutes, and I haven’t spontaneously combusted, so that’s good. I’m not triggered the way I thought I’d be, either. Maybe it’s because we’re not near campus, or maybe it’s because I built it all up in my head, but either way, I’m fairly relaxed.

With Trevor on one side of me holding my hand, and Hyla on my other with her usual Hyla vibrancy, I feel safe.

Hopefully that means it’ll be a good night.

As we round the corner from the street the parking garage is on to where the brewpub is, I immediately notice the group outside the building, and more of that fear creeps in, but Trevor holds my hand tighter.

“If you get overwhelmed, say the word and we’ll go.”

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“We’ve got this,” Hyla says, then she lowers her voice and leans in closer. “Remember, not fragile like a flower, fragile like a bomb. Hold your power and strength tight.”

“Thanks,” I breathe.

It’s going to be okay.

When we get to the group, two people step away. The guy, who I assume is Trevor’s friend, steps over and gives Trevor one of those bro-hugs.

“It’s good to see you, man.”

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