My chest warmed.
It was nice to be home. I could admit that much. But sooner or later, I’d have to leave. I had a career to repair. A whole life in Chicago, just waiting for me.
So, why did the thought of going back there leave me so cold?
CHAPTER 12
HOPPER
I scannedthe menu at the Stag Pub, where I’d met up with Lyle and Truman.
Fried chicken tenders, hamburgers, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, nachos. All standard pub fare that I’d ordinarily salivate over, even if it was terrible for my aging football physique.
At twenty-eight, I wasn’t metabolizing as fast, and my abs had retreated behind a layer of padding.
But tonight, the food didn’t look nearly as appealing. Not after experiencing Noel’s Thanksgiving meal. I mean, truffle-infused mashed potatoes?Goatcheese and cranberry crostinis? How could a local pub compete with that?
“I’ll put our orders in,” Lyle offered. “What do you want?”
I tossed down the laminated menu. “Just get me a Philly and fries, I guess.”
“Someone’s excited about the food,” Truman teased.
“Well, when you’ve got a home chef, these menu items start to look less impressive,” I joked.
Dawson Wood arrived just then, with his young husband, Evan, at his side. Dawson coached the Granville High footballteam now. Kind of funny that I was friends with so many people who would have been my rivals back in high school.
I still got over to Riverton occasionally—and had a few friends there as well—but I liked how Granville was smaller and friendlier.
“A home chef?” Dawson said. “Did I miss the news of you winning the lottery?”
I chuckled. “No. Noel is home for a visit.”
“Noel?” Evan asked, brow furrowed, as he took a seat next to me. “Do we know him?”
“He’s the Grisolds’ son,” I said.
“And the guy Hopper’s crushing on,” Truman said with a grin.
Two hands dropped onto my shoulders from behind and squeezed. “I thoughtIwas Hopper’s crush.”
The pouty voice gave away Kevin in an instant. I glanced back over my shoulder. “Sure, Kev. Whenever you decide you want to kick out Garrett, we’ll run away together.”
“I didn’t say I wanted to return your affection. You’re supposed to pine for me, devastated you’ll never have my heart.”
“You’re so mean,” Evan said with a laugh.
“Oh, Hop knows I’m kidding.” Kevin sauntered around the table to grab an open chair. Tonight, he wore black tights and an oversized lavender sweater that reached his thighs but fell off one shoulder. He was averypretty boy, though not as much my type as…well, as Noel was. “Tell me more about this guy of yours.”
“He’s not my guy,” I grumbled. “He’s just visiting his parents at the tree farm, and he happens to be a great chef. He made Thanksgiving dinner, and it was incredible.”
“That’s lucky.” He cocked his head. “You all don’t host events out at the farm, do you?”
“What kind of events? We do some things.”
“My parents have a big anniversary coming up on December nineteenth. Hunter and I have been trying to organize a dinner party. We don’t really want to have it at the house, but everywhere we call is already booked for holiday events. We should have gotten organized sooner.”
I grimaced. “Yeah, sorry. We haven’t ever done that kind of thing.”
