“It’s how he is.” I open her car door for her. “Fixing things. It’s how he shows—” I trail off, not sure how to finish that sentence.
She tilts her head, watching me. “Shows what?”
I gesture vaguely instead of answering. The workshop behind us. The henley on her shoulders. Everything.
She seems to understand anyway. “And you show it by building things. And Milo by remembering things.”
I nod. She gets it.
“And what does that make us?” she asks quietly. “If you all show love differently?”
I consider the question. Try to find the right word.
“Compatible,” I say finally. “If you want us to be.”
She looks at me for a long moment. The moonlight catches her eyes, makes them shine.
“I’m starting to think I might,” she admits. “Want this. Want all of you.”
The last of my walls come down. I didn’t even know I was still holding them up.
“That’s enough for now.” I lean down and kiss her one last time. Slow and thorough, tasting her properly, memorizing the shape of her mouth. When I pull back, she chases me, and I have to physically step away before I lose my resolve and drag her back inside. “Drive safe. Text me when you’re home.”
“I will.” She slides into the driver’s seat, then pauses with her hand on the door. “Elijah?”
“Yeah?”
“Tonight was perfect.” She smiles, soft and real. “The best date I’ve ever been on...” She shakes her head. “Thank you. For sharing this with me.”
“Anytime.” I mean it with everything I have. “Anytime you want to learn more, I’m here.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
“Please do.”
She pulls the door closed, still wearing my henley over her sweater, and I don’t ask for it back. I like the idea of her driving home wrapped in something that smells like me. Like a claim, even if we haven’t made it official yet.
I stand in the cold as she starts the engine, backs out of my driveway, disappears around the corner. The taillights fade into the darkness, and I stay there until I can’t see them anymore.
Then I go back inside to blow out the candles and clean up from dinner.
The workshop smells like her now. Lavender and citrus mixed with my cedar and sawdust. Like we’ve already started blending. Like she belongs here.
I’m smiling as I wash the dishes. Still smiling as I pack away the leftover food. Still smiling as I finally head to bed in my house that doesn’t feel quite so empty anymore.
My phone buzzes as I’m climbing under the covers.
Tessa:Home safe. Thank you for tonight. For everything.
I stare at the screen for a long moment, thumb hovering over the keyboard. There’s so much I want to say. So much I don’t have the words for.
Elijah:Sleep well.
It’s not enough. It’s not even close to enough. But she sends back a little heart emoji, and somehow that says everything.
A second later, the group chat explodes.
Ben:Well???
