Page 9

And there was no way I’d have everything done in time, either.

I needed to take a minute, too. I knew what happened when I pressed myself too hard. I recognized the way my vision was starting to blur at the edges, too, and I’d rather not have to open the door to Claude while in the middle of an anxiety attack.

It was fine.

It was fine.

I just had to repeat it in my head until the words stuck.

I really, really hated the way my brain worked sometimes. When I wasn’t frozen in time struggling with one thing, it was something else. No time for a breather, ever.

I’d just taken the bars out of the oven when the doorbell rang.

Shit.

Well, I’d counted on it. It wasn’t as if there was a way to speed up the oven, and Claude had mentioned they worked not that far from Randy’s when we were texting to set this up.

So I’d known it wouldn’t take them long.

I still opened the door in a rush, words fumbling out of my mouth. “Hi. Hi! I’m really sorry, I’m so behind, and I still have to let the bars chill in the fridge, but I?—”

“Hey, it’s fine.”

I didn’t usually like when people cut me off—even if they were doing it because I was on the verge of a panic attack.

It turned out I didn’t hate it when it came from the most collected person to have ever put a foot inside this house.

“Is it?” I squeaked. “I mean, yeah, but I swear I’m better with… time management.”

“It’s fine,” Claude repeated. Their lips tilted upwards, a glint in their blue eyes making me stand straighter. “Cute apron.”

Oh.

Oh.

Oh, no.

I’d say I couldn’t look down, but it would be too late.

No, I hadn’t taken off the apron Dylan got for the two of us at one of the geeky conventions he used to go to.

Objectively, it could be worse. The apron just had an image of an infamous Marvel anti-hero in a compromising pose with flour and frosting all over.

My brain could not process objectivity right this minute, though.

“I’ll pop the tray in the fridge, and then I’ll change.” I was moving as I spoke, my brain whirring with all the words I needed to say and no time to put them in order. “I know it’s rude to leave you here, it’s only one second. I really miscalculated today. I’m really sorry. I have brownies too if you want to eat something while we wait. Oh, and drinks, of course. Whatever you want.”

Claude just… watched as I rambled.

It was eerie.

“Who are you and what have you done to the Arlene I met, what, two days ago?”

Damn.

“Sorry.” How many times had I apologized today? I tried to laugh, but the sound was weak. “I’m… I don’t usually host. I get anxious.”

“Sounds like the understatement of the year.” There was something about the contrast between their words and their soft smile that both drew me in and pushed me away. I didn’t know which direction to go. “Pop the thing in the fridge, go change into whatever you’re most comfortable with, and we’ll start again, okay?”