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Chapter Eleven
Silas
Present Day
Tuesday
“Do you miss the sweater-vest when you finish a shift?” Teagan ran a finger over my shoulder, which was covered in the synthetic fibers, and I ignored the flare of sensation that simple touch left on my skin when her hand trailed down my arm. We were walking toward the food court because I insisted she have Americanized Chinese food before leaving the country and she would never turn down the offer when I was treating.
“I look good in the vest,” I said, gently swatting at her hand and then adjusting my tie.
“I will admit, there aren’t a lot of people that can really pull off this look, but I think you’re one of them. Nerd chic suits you well.”
I shot her a look. “When you hang with a former communications major and current deeply uncool adult, this is the best you get, my friend.” The airport was buzzing but we’d caught the food court at a decent time and the lines weren’t atrocious. I nodded toward the place we were going to grab food. “Aren’t you going to miss this?” I said, motioning to the window.
“Overpriced, inauthentic Chinese food? I’m guessing I’ll be able to find that in Europe, but otherwise, no, I don’t think I’ll miss it.” She gave a little smile and I noticed the three freckles like a constellation across the bridge of her nose.
“Even the egg rolls?”
“Okay. Yeah.” She nudged my shoulder with hers. “I’ll miss those.”
I didn’t expect the lump to form in my throat at her words. I swallowed thickly but I heard a familiar voice behind me and turned. Ada chatted amiably with her walking buddy behind us, a few inches closer to him than I thought I might walk with just a friend.
“Well, hello there!” Ada’s warm voice was chipper. “Looks like we weren’t the only ones craving fried food for lunch,” she said to her buddy. I looked him up and down, a guy a little shorter than me with gray hair at his temples. He wore the security uniform and Ada grinned at him like he’d invented the fried food she was craving.
“Hey,” I said. “Teagan, do you know Ada?”
Teagan held out her hand. “Nice to meet you.” She pivoted to the man. “I know this guy, though!” They did a multistep handshake and the man’s face cracked into a smile.
“Where’s the pink apron?” His voice was deep like James Earl Jones’s and I weirdly felt like we were in some kind of competition for the affections of my friend.
Teagan cringed. “Don’t remind me. Four more days and I am apron-free.”
Ada glanced between them. “How do you two know each other?”
“She works in Julianna’s shop,” he said. “I can’t resist those peanut butter cups.”
“He’s one of my best customers,” Teagan added, turning to Ada. “I’ll make sure he buys you some next time.”
I watched Ada’s smile turn girlish, her cheeks pink, and even though Teagan was the one who was supposed to notice these kinds of things, I saw the crush on her face, the clear adoration.
“I’ll try to lock it in up here,” he said, smiling down at Ada and tapping his temple. They held eye contact for a few moments and then he glanced at his watch. “I don’t think I’ll have time for egg rolls. Later this week, Ad? I gotta get back to my shift.”
“Oh!” She looked at her own watch. “I didn’t realize we’d been walking for so long. You’re right.” She stepped back along with the man, whose name I still hadn’t caught. “Nice to see you kids.”
I watched them walk away until Teagan tugged on my arm. “Oh my God, what if it’s them!” She leaned in close and hissed, her eyes sparkling. “That would be so cute!”
“Why cute? They’re like fifty.”
She punched my arm and we stepped forward to order. “Don’t be a jerk. Couples of all ages are cute!”
“I don’t think they’re a couple,” I said, though I remembered the look on Ada’s face.
“Not yet,” Teagan said, and the lump in my throat returned as she ordered her favorite. She glanced over her shoulder at me. “I hope he buys her something sweet she loves. I would totally do that for a boyfriend.”
I was about to remind her she did it for me all the time, but I closed my mouth and let her keep talking as we waited for our food.
“I feel like you can tell a lot about a person by their favorite candy. About how they are in a relationship.”
