Audre & Bash Are Just Friends(51)

Remember your mission, thought Reshma. Mastermind this shit.

“Can I ask you something?” She bit her bottom lip and tried to look bashful, turning on the charm. “And tell me if I’m being too forward.”

Clio tossed off a breezy shrug. “Depends on what it is.”

“I guess… I’m just wondering if you’re seeing anyone.”

Clio sighed, letting her head fall forward.

“Uh-oh,” said Reshma, fixing Clio with her upturned, smoky eyes. Clio returned the glance for a moment. Their eyes locked. And then she tore her eyes away, gazing out at the pond.

“You’re wondering if I’m seeing anyone? Or asking?”

“I’m asking.”

“I’m seeing someone,” she admitted, fiddling with her bag. “But I don’t know if we’ll last. We were long-distance at first. And now we’re not. Which is weird. Plus, he’s the artistic type, so he’s all over the place. And doesn’t want to commit.”

Makes sense, thought Reshma, her chaos-agent senses tingling. Bash had been in California till now. And he’s definitely all over the place.

“A boy?”

Clio nodded, still looking toward the water. The swans had all headed back in, listlessly floating in the heavy humidity, leaving swirly patterns in the water.

“Hmm.” Reshma stretched, taking in this information. “Can I ask you something else?”

Clio faced her with an unreadable expression. “Sure.”

“Why are you here with me, then?”

Something flashed behind Clio’s eyes. And, after a beat, she slowly leaned in closer to Reshma. Her long, Bambi lashes fanned out, casting shadows on her cheeks. Her scent was intoxicating. Their knees were touching. Reshma held her breath, silently praying that Clio would make the first move.

If she kisses me first, it’s good, she thought, her mind racing. If she kisses me first, I didn’t start any of this. It was her. It’s on her.

“Ask me again,” said Clio, her voice lightly daring.

“If you’re serious with him,” asked Reshma, “what are we doing here?”

Clio sighed, the soft warmth of her breath blanketing Reshma’s mouth. Despite herself, Reshma let out a tiny, barely audible noise of anticipation.

“I’m here to feed the swans,” answered Clio. “What are you here for?”

And then she pulled away with a wicked expression, leaving Reshma speechless. Which never, ever happened. She felt like she was suspended on the wrong side of an hourglass.

It wasn’t until this very second that Reshma understood this was no longer her game.

Later, long after Reshma helped Clio pack up her blanket and then walked her to her train, Reshma found birdseed in the pockets of her cutoffs. She carefully plucked it out and poured it into a delicate, empty earrings box. For safekeeping.

Not mastermind behavior, at all.





Chapter 20


Late-Night Texts, June 30–July 4, 2025


Bash: u ever start wondering random shit when it gets late



Audre: yeah like what



Bash: like are my cells dividing right now



Audre: lol lol lol



Bash: srsly! we’re just lying in our beds. but our organs are experiencing a whole other reality inside our bodies



Audre: it’s giving science fiction



Bash: here’s another one. why can’t we keep weather as a pet?



Audre: LOL LOL LOL



Bash: don’t laugh, I have a thirst for knowledge



Audre: so do I, tbh. i researched NYC tattoo certification laws. u need to be 18 to get a license



Bash: that law is ageist and I refuse to recognize it



Audre: ur cool w operating an illegal business? living outside the law?



Bash: laws are arbitrary. it used to be illegal for women to have credit cards. wait why’d you look up tattoo laws



Audre: no reason



Bash: checking up on me, huh



Audre: i was just bored in the house, being nosy



Bash: house. i’ll never get used to new yorkers calling their apartments houses. just say apartment. or use a generic term like crib



Audre: do u miss Oakland?



Bash: nah not anymore



Audre: why?



Bash:…



Bash:…



Bash: idk, I guess I really like being your funsultant. even though I haven’t seen u in days



Audre: my stay-out-past-10 challenge is up next. aren’t you taking me to a party?



Bash: but that’s over a wk away



Audre: you’re counting the days?



Bash: i’m counting the minutes



Audre:…



Audre: oh



Audre: (same)



Audre: I think being a funsultant is your calling



Bash: maybe I’ll design a logo



Audre: yeah, it should be your next tattoo



Bash: if you could get one, what would it be