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Noah bit his lip and decided whether or not he’d take it personally. He earned the hurt, he knew, but Adam’s tone was a soft mocking, the way brothers should be. He reached under the counter and pulled out the paper bag he’d been saving. “I tried a new recipe.”
Adam stared, then he bent down and pressed his hand to the grass before standing back up. At Noah’s frown, Adam shrugged. “Just checking to see if hell freezing over made it up here yet.”
Noah rolled his eyes, but he shoved the bag at Adam. “You can eat it later and text me about how much you hate it.”
Of course Noah’s slight plea went ignored. Adam was a man of little patience, just like he’d been as a boy. He was the kind of kid who tore wrapping paper to shreds, who ripped tape off boxes, who never understood the meaning of wait. That same enthusiasm had him reaching into the bag and biting into the sufganiyah hard enough to send part of the custard oozing out over his hand.
“Holy shit,” he said, voice muffled by the soft dough. “Is thisbeer?”
“Blue Moon,” Noah answered softly. “Rose was stocking some of the OU cert cases for me.”
Adam looked Noah directly in the face as he chewed, then shoved the rest at Fitz who took it with a fumbling hand. “Eat the rest of this.” At Adam’s command, Noah’s heart sank. “It’s too fucking good, and I’m so full I’m going to die.”
Noah’s entire body shuddered with a wave of relief. “It’s not awful?”
“No, and if I didn’t love you, I’d beat the shit out of you for holding out on me like this. Youcanbake,” Adam accused with a slightly powdered finger leveled at him.
Noah turned his gaze away. “I didn’t learn nothing from Bubbe. It’s just…I didn’t love it the way she did. Or you do.”
Adam softened, and he reached past Noah for a napkin. “I’m glad you did this.”
Noah shrugged. “I’m glad you pushed me.”
Fitz smiled because he had to know the comment was directed partially at him. “Can we add some of these to our bagel order?”
“Yes,” Noah told him, then he felt a small pang of grief because he’d have to break the news to him eventually. No matter how much people loved this, it was coming to an end. “Just remind me on Sunday.”
Fitz nodded and gave him a quick salute before he turned away, leaving Noah and his brother alone. The tension was thick between them, but Adam didn’t look angry. “People are going to miss the shop when it’s gone.”
Noah bowed his head. “I know. But a weekly bagel order—even adding doughnuts to it—it’s not going to make a difference.”
Adam let out a bone-deep sigh. “Yeah. I went over all the books while I was there on Sunday, and…and I get it. And I’m still not happy you kept it to yourself, and I don’t love that you took out a fucking loan, but…”
“I’m not going to apologize for that,” Noah told him firmly. He held Adam’s gaze. “I had to take the pressure off you. That’s all I wanted,” Noah told him. “And I’m going to be fine.”
“If you’re not…” Adam warned, but Noah waved him off.
“I am. I promise.”
Adam nodded, opened his mouth like he was going to say something, then stopped. “Give me the rest of your cookies.” He dug into his pocket and slapped a wad of cash on the table. “You’re almost out anyway, and I was going to put together a couple of meals for Dr. Alling to take to some of his long-term patients.”
Noah was surprised he knew who Adam was talking about, but Aksel Alling had moved to Savannah a year after Noah’s family had. Noah only took notice of him back then because anyone with differences stood out in this town whether they wanted to or not, and everything about Aksel had been a sore thumb. Aksel was in Noah’s grade—with one arm and a thick accent just like Noah had.
His English had been a little better, but he was still different. Aksel hadn’t taken the teasing lying down, though. Not like Noah. He won and lost a few fistfights and gained the respect of the other kids in his class long before Noah had the courage to say two words when the teacher called on him. When Noah came back from LA, he found out Aksel had gone off to medical school. He returned a few years after Noah with MD attached to his name, and he started his own practice, which was sorely needed in Savannah.
“You two are friends?” Noah asked as he scooped what was left of the cookies into a paper bag.
Adam shrugged. “We ran into each other a few months ago, and he told me he does meals for some of his long-term patients. Over Purim, I threw together some stuff for his charity thing, and he liked it, so…I guess we have sort of a contract now? He’s better friends with Fitz than with me.”
Noah raised his brows as he threw the cash from Adam into the cash box. “Which means…”
“They never dated,” Adam said, scooping the bag into his arms. “But they hooked up when they were bored or horny.”
“Adam,” Noah breathed out.
“Dicked down and still a prude. How very much like you,” Adam chastised, then laughed when Noah’s cheeks went pink. Adam gave him another intense look, then shook his head. “It looks good on you.”
Noah frowned. “What does?”
