Page 77 of From A to Us

“If you’re hungry, there’s a lunch bag in the back with a premade smoothie and a sandwich.”

“Yeah?” Eyes lighting up, Eli reached into the back. “You take such good care of me.”

Nolan squirmed uncomfortably at the pronouncement, both terrified and thrilled by it.

“Good flight?” he asked as a distraction.

“Mm,” Eli said around a mouthful of pulled chicken, cheese, and arugula on sourdough that Nolan had made earlier.

Nolan drove in silence, content to let Eli eat his meal without interrupting him. He seemed both ravenous and thirsty, so Nolan pulled the water bottle he’d stashed in the driver’s side cupholder and handed it over.

Eli accepted it with a smile that sent warmth through Nolan.

“Thanks for picking me up.” Eli put the empty bottles and sandwich container back into the bag once he’d finished. “And for the food.”

“Thanks for asking King to call me.”

“Did he? I wasn’t sure. He hasn’t said.”

Nolan twined their fingers together and gave Eli’s a squeeze. “I’m sorry I was distant the past couple of days. The letters being an assignment threw me.”

Eli kissed the back of his hand, sending tingles up Nolan’s arm. “I know.”

“I’m not going to stop looking for Freddie. Assignment or not, it still feels wrong to throw the letters away.”

“I never thought you would,” Eli said easily.

And apparently it was as simple as that, because Eli settled back in his seat and said, “Take me home, Nolan.”

“Yours or mine?”

“Don’t care as long as we’re together.”

And there went Nolan’s heart again. But instead of heading for the clouds, it landed at Eli’s feet with the other chipped pieces he’d already given him, and formed anew with a quiet click, like it was fitting itself into place.

“Mine, then,” he said hoarsely. “Since you’ve got an overnight bag.”

Eli kissed the back of his hand again. “Good plan.”

chapter

fifteen

“You’re sure I’m not intruding?” Nolan asked the host of Thanksgiving. “I’m not technically part of the team.”

Michael Hughes made a what-the-fuck face, which Nolan supposed was answer enough.

Hughes followed up the face with “Dude, shut the fuck up,” and Nolan laughed.

“Sorry I’m late. I was supposed to have dinner with my dad, but we ended up doing lunch because . . . did you know the Canadian staff gets together on American Thanksgiving for a board game marathon?”

“Yeah. In Coach Friedle’s basement. Antonia—that’s his wife—she makes these cranberry cheese balls from scratch every year, and I think that’s mostly the reason everyone goes.”

“Food as a bribe. Can’t fault that logic.”

“Come in,” Hughes said. “No, keep your shoes and coat on. We’re out back. You missed most of the obstacle course challenge, but we’re doing two truths and a lie soon.”

Christ. What had Nolan walked in on?