ONE
ELI
Jack and I meet at the fountain in Seeley Park, as we have almost every morning since the start of school—but I don’t have to hide the eagerness in my step anymore. I don’t have to hide anything, anymore, because this tangible sun drop is officially my boyfriend.
I walk right over to Jack and slide my hand into his, heart pumping faster at the contact and letting me temporarily ignore the fact that his hand is like an ice cube.
“Good morning, Eli.”
He texted me the same thing when he woke up. It’s so much better hearing it in person. “Morning.”
There’s a playful gleam in his blue eyes. “We both slept in a little today. Want to keep going with the laziness, and walk our route?”
“Laziness would be skipping it altogether. Which I might do, if we weren’t meeting Seth and Fred after. Let’s start with a walk.”
We match our steps and start on our normal path. Orange, brown, and yellow leaves are strewn across the grass, doubled from yesterday after last night’s heavy rain. At this rate, the trees will be devoid of all their foliage by the end of the month. I honestly thought the leaves would be gone by now with how quickly they were falling earlier this month: that this year, fall was giving up to winter early. I’m glad I was wrong, and autumn has stayed in full sway. As it should, in late November.
Jack is always humming with energy. Sometimes, like now, there’s a telling angle in the position of his lips that gives away his need to share something, as if he can’t hold it in. I give it about ten seconds for Jack to launch into whatever is on his mind. He only makes me wait nine.
“Thanksgiving is coming up. Do you watch the parade? We can probably get Mom to let us watch whatever we want, but she loves having the parade in the background while she cooks.”
I squeeze Jack’s frozen fingers. “I’ve watched clips of the parade before. But why does my opinion on what you watch matter?”
Jack stops and frowns at me. “You know you’re coming, don’t you?”
“I didn’t want to assume. I know it’s a Thursday, but it’s a holiday, so I thought it might be different.”
Jack arches one brow. “This is one of those times I get to call you an idiot. Of course you can assume you’re coming for Thanksgiving! Mom would be insulted if you didn’t! As would your boyfriend.”
So that’s why he’s so enthusiastic about it. Itisour first holiday being together.
I pull him closer and brush my nose against his. “We can’t have that.”
I want to stay this close and shift into a kiss, but he has to know . . . “Your hands are freezing, and even your nose is cold, Jack. You have the worst circulation of anyone I’ve met.”
He draws back. “Rude. I’ll warm up if we jog.”
“I can’t hold your hand if we’re jogging.”
“Technically you can, it’d just make us look funny. And change our gaits.”
I take both of his hands in mine, sandwiching them, and bring them to my mouth, breathing out low. Jack melts. “How are you so warm?” he asks.
I chuckle. “Maybe I’m meant to be able to warm you up.”
“Maybe you’re secretly a hothead, but so good at guarding your expression no one sees it.”
“Do you want me to take my hands away?”
“No.”
I laugh and breathe out over his hands again. He drifts closer with another sigh. “So much better.”
Wind rushes over us, snaking along the back of my neck. I wish I’d worn a scarf. Itiscold this morning. Standing still is letting that autumn chill take root. “We should jog, or we’ll be late to meet the guys back here.”
He shoves his hands into his pockets. “Sure you’re not a little cold?”
“Of course not.”
