“Sorry about that,” said Noah, with a hint of a smile. “Hopefully you’ll have slightly more time now you’ve finished training. You could always bring your book to the fire.”
“Thanks for your permission,” Zeke said. He dug his nail into his hand. Why was he being an utter arse?Because he’s ignored you since he took you to the fox den and listened to you burble on about one of the worst days of your life, making you think you were becoming friends.“Sorry,” he muttered. “You can borrow any of my books if you want to.”
Noah drained the rest of his drink.
“Want another one?” Zeke offered, to make amends.
“Nah. I’ll just drink theirs. They won’t be back for them.”
Zeke glanced at his wristband. Thirty minutes to go. “So, don’t be mad, but I’ve organised to meet my sister here in half an hour.”
Noah’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh? That’s… fine. That’s great. It’ll be good for you to see her.”
The tension drained away from Zeke’s body.
“You could have gone to see her at her house if you wanted, you know. It’s not like Habib has special permission to leave us or anything.”
“I wasn’t sure I’d be allowed.”
Noah stared at him strangely. “What, why?”
“I thought… You might think I was making a run for it or something…” Zeke all but mumbled.
Noah shook his head in disbelief. “Don’t be ridiculous.” He seemed poised to say more on the topic but then continued, “Where are you meeting her? There’s a courtyard upstairs.”
“There is?” It would be a relief to get away from the loud music.
“Why don’t we go there now? It’ll be quieter.” Noah grabbed a fresh drink, hopped down from the booth, and looked back at him. He slid out and Noah grabbed his hand, threading his fingers through his. He was momentarily stunned, before realising that Noah only wanted to ensure he didn’t get lost as they battled their way through the crowd of dancers.
The revellers pushed and shoved them as they weaved their way through to the opposite wall. Zeke squeezed Noah’s hand tightly to make sure someone did not rip them apart, following him up a winding staircase and out into the fresh night air.
The small courtyard boasted an array of bistro tables scattered across a mosaic floor. Violet and white flowers burst from planters that edged the garden. Noah held onto his hand until they found a table in a quiet corner. When he finally let go, Zeke missed the warm comfort it provided.
“You can see the entire city if you stand on the chairs,” Noah said, before doing just that. Zeke jumped up to join him, wobbling on the wonky metal stool. London’s glittering skyline came into view. Only two months had passed since he last saw it, but he smiled, leaning over the barrier, taking it all in. If he squinted, he could pretend he could see his old apartment. Turning back, he found Noah staring at him.
“What?”
Noah sighed. “I think that’s the first time I’ve seen you smile.”
“That’s not true. What about when we fed the foxes? Also, I smile every time you let me have the cheese sandwiches.”
Noah laughed before jumping down and tugging on Zeke’s sleeve, pulling him down to sit. “I meant what I said earlier. You’ve done so well over the last two months. You’re going to be an asset to the team.”
He bit back the protests that danced on the tip of his tongue. Noah was lying through his teeth, but only to be kind.
“Thanks. Thanks for all your help. We were lucky to land in your squad,” he said, echoing Frankie’s words from earlier. “You’re a great leader,” he added, dropping his gaze to the table. “And a great teacher.”
“Can I get that on record?”
“No, and I will deny it was ever said.”
Noah chuckled, smiling widely. For the first time, Zeke noticed Noah’s chipped canine tooth on his left side. Noah leaned forward, his hands clasped together. A stray strand of hair escaped from its tie and framed his face on one side. Aching to tuck it behind his ear, Zeke busied his hands by applying lip balm from a small red stick. When Noah eyed it, suppressing a smirk—likely at the ‘cherry bomb’ labelling in glittery font—he explained it was Zaya’s.
“So, what’s the story there?” Zeke asked, gesturing to Noah’s tattoo on the underside of his left wrist. It was a bird—a dove?—its wings spread out in flight. It spanned almost his entire wrist and carried a bluebell in its beak.
Noah unclasped his hands to brush his fingers over the dove. “I got it to help me remember someone I loved very much.”
He shouldn’t pry; this was personal. But yet, he had to know… Zeke drained the last of his drink. “Your boyfriend?” he said, praying that he wasn’t mistaken.
