“I try not to,” he said. “But maybe a little… with you.”
Eli looked down at the lights, his heart thudding too fast.
He didn’t know how to respond to that either.
“Pass me a zip tie, will you?” Noah asked. “I need to make sure these lights stay put.”
Their fingers brushed as Eli passed it over. It wasn’t intentional. It wasn’t careful, either, but a warm, lingering touch, enough to pull Eli’s focus.
Noah exhaled softly.
“You okay?” Eli asked.
“Too okay.” Noah sighed. “Which is… a problem.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Because when I get too okay around someone, Elsie starts planning my wedding.”
Eli snorted. “I may have only just met her, but that sounds extremely on brand.”
“You havenoidea.” Noah groaned. “She’s probably knitting us matching scarves right now.”
Eli felt himself grin—reallygrin.
This is dangerous.
More than that, it was a beginning.
As daylight began to fade, Noah called it a day, thanking his volunteers.
“And we get to do it all over again tomorrow,” he said with a grin. Volunteers wandered out in clumps, laughing and glitter-streaked, until only Eli and Noah remained. Noah walked with Eli to the door, but instead of opening it, he paused.
“It’s starting to look really good in here.”
“It is,” Eli agreed.
They stood shoulder to shoulder, a breath apart.
Noah’s voice lowered. “I’m glad you came today.”
Eli swallowed. “Me too.”
The quiet between them wasn’t awkward—it was electric. Eli’s heartbeat quickened.
“Hey.” Noah turned toward him. “Do you want?—”
The door slammed open, Elsie barreled into them, and they quickly sprang apart.
“Guys, why are you standing behind the door? That’s a great way to get knocked onto your ass. The lantern boxes are here. I’ve got them in my car. And please, tell me there’s some cocoa left. It’s freezing out there.”
Noah sighed. “There might be a drop if you’re lucky.”
“Hey, am I interrupting a moment here?” She smirked at them. “Because from where I’m standing, you two could have been… leaning.”
“Elsie,” Noah groaned.
Her eyes glittered. “What? I’m just saying what I saw.” She headed toward the stage where the thermos stood.
