Page 33 of One Touch

“Done yet?”

“Just about. Here, this is for you,” I said. I placed the bracelet on his wrist. He blinked down at it. “It’s from Savannah, not me. So maybe don’t be a butthead and take it off until she can’t see you.”

Lathan swallowed as he glanced at the bracelet. The blue was sparkly in the sunlight and eerily close to the color of his ice blue eyes. He ran the pad of his fingers over the letters. I was surprised when he met Savannah’s eyes. “Thank you.”

Savannah’s mom handed my card back and the bag with my goodies. She smiled in thanks, and I waved bye to my new friend.

Lathan was quieter than usual as we walked through a few more booths. “Why did she give me one? I didn’t have one to trade,” he finally asked. His brow was pinched, and I had to stop myself from reaching down and smoothing it out.

“That’s not what friendship bracelets are about, Silver. She gave it to you because she wanted you to have it. Simple as that.”

“But why? I didn’t even talk to her or buy anything.”

“Again, that doesn’t matter. Friendship bracelets are a form of expression, and everyone’s reason can be different. Don’t ruin her gift by questioning it to death.”

His scowl deepened, but he let it drop. I visited a few more booths and bought peanut butter fudge, strawberry jam, local honey, and goat milk soap. I was just about to leave when I spotted a booth with beads. Lathan hung back as I chatted with the owner and traded a few more bracelets. I ended up buying some new beads and agreeing to stop by their store for one of their bracelet-making nights.

It was odd to think how I already felt at home in Austin despite only living here briefly. I’d struggled in Chicago to connect with the team, and the city had always felt too overwhelming to venture out on my own. Having Lathan with me was more fun, even if he was a grumpy shadow most of the day.

“Are you done yet?” he asked.

“Just about. Come on, the food truck is close by. But first, I got you a treat.”

His eyes widened, and butterflies exploded in my gut at the expression. It was nice to catch him off guard for once. Smiling, I led him to a coffee booth I’d spotted. His eyes sparkled at the coffee beans on display.

“Greater Goods Coffee is a woman-owned, small-batch roasting company based in Dripping Springs, Texas, that I thought you might like to try,” I said.

Lathan’s gaze jumped to mine, and something swirled in the depths, but before I could ask, we were interrupted.

“Good morning! What can I help you with?” the saleswoman asked.

Lathan’s gaze shifted to her, and I instantly missed the connection. I stepped out of the tent to gather myself. I had to remember what this was—a situationship. It wasn’t a relationship.

“Thanks,” Lathan said a few minutes later. His hands were loaded with bulging sacks.

“Buy them out?” I teased and loved how his cheeks reddened.

“No.”

“Sure.” I laughed, and we walked to the food truck. The silence had returned, but it was easygoing this time. We both ordered and took a seat at an empty picnic table. I looked out at the crowd and watched the couples and families as they perused the market. Some people might want expensive dinners and fancy trips, but not me. This right here, doing normal everyday things, was what sang to my soul.

“Thank you for inviting me,” he said, shocking me.

My head swiveled to him. “I get an apology and gratitude on the same day!” I gasped and checked my watch.

“What?”

“Just checking the day.”

“Why?”

“Making sure it wasn’t my birthday and to note it down as the day Lathan Silver acted like a human.”

“Asshole. This is why I don’t have friends.”

I laughed, and despite the grumpy frown he wore, the corners of his lips twitched upward.

“Oh, are we friends now, Silver?”

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