Noah’s expression was broken but his voice was matter-of-fact when he replied, “Yes. His name was Khyan. He died well over a year ago. He did the job Alice does now,” while tracing the edges of the dove, lost in thought.
“Looking after the dogs?”
Noah pretended to look horrified. “Don’t let Alice hear you say that. They’re trained military units.”
“You don’t treat Wolf like a trained military unit.”
Noah groaned. “Not you too.” He leaned back, stretching in his chair before stifling a yawn.
Liquid courage—or was it stupidity?—coursed through his veins. “So… how’re things going with that doctor?” Zeke asked.
Noah’s eyes widened. “Was he that obvious?”
“Are you joking? I thought he was going to throw me out the window to put you on the bed.”
Noah laughed again, the sound causing Zeke to rise like a helium balloon.
“Oh God. If it makes you feel better, I don’t think he’ll act like that the next time I see him. I’ve been avoiding his calls.” Noah smiled a lopsided, guilty grin.
Zeke’s heart thumped in his chest in time with the heavy bass downstairs. “How come?”
“Leo is great. He was my lead doctor last year when I went through some stuff after Khyan died. Then we became friends. But…” he trailed off, gaze boring into Zeke’s eyes, unblinking. “There’s nothing there for me.”
A chemical reaction erupted within him, and his cheeks flushed with heat. He dropped the intense eye contact to fiddle with his empty glass, racking his brain for a rapid change in conversation.
Luckily, Noah saved him—he coughed, and Zeke looked up to see that his expression was now uncertain as he said, “Can I— Would it be okay if I met your sister in a minute? I’ll just introduce myself and then head back downstairs.”
“Uhh… sure.”
“I don’t have to,” said Noah, quickly. “I was just thinking it would be… nice.”
Noah and Zaya didn’t exist in the same universe. What would they make of each other?
His wrist started vibrating. He slipped on his earbuds.
“Hello?”
“Zeke! I’m so sorry. I’ve been trying to call you, but they’ve been blocking the signal again. I’ve just climbed back up to my flat.”
“What? I thought you were meeting me here.”
Across the table, Noah’s eyes crinkled in concern.
“It’s the fucking rioters. They’ve really done it this time. They kicked off so much the police have blocked us all in until morning. Nobody in or out. They’ve even got some military power in. Obviously, not you.”
Zeke climbed up onto his chair again, gazing out across the city in the vague direction of Zaya. So near, yet so far away.
“Zeke?”
“I’m here. I’m just… sad. I really needed to see you.”
“Same. I’m sure we can figure something out. Look, I need to go, but Becca is still on her way. She should be on time.”
“She is?” Zeke’s wristband vibrated, alerting him to another incoming call. It was the number he’d repeatedly tried weeks ago: Rebecca Caldish. “I need to go as well. Love you.” Zeke hung up and tapped his wristband to accept the call before telling Becca where to find him.
“I’m so sorry, Zeke.” Noah appeared genuinely upset.
He shrugged. “My old colleague is still meeting me.”
