Fitz sighed. “I’m lucky if he remembers to eat at all. Jack tends to get lost in his job and has a terrible habit of forgetting everything around him.”
“Clara said he was there until after midnight last night.”
“That’s the thing about Jack. When there’s a problem, one he believes is his to solve, he will work on it until it’s fixed.” To the point of obsession sometimes. It was just the way Jack’s mind worked. Hehadto fix the thing, even if it was detrimental to his health. It was the one thing they argued about.
“I’m sorry. That must be difficult.”
Fitz shrugged. “I wish we could spend more time together, but I also know what he does is important. It’s not something just anyone can do. When he talks to me about what he’s been working on, I rarely understand any of it, but I love how smart and talented he is, how passionate he is about what he does.” He waved his hand. “Anyway, we’re not here to talk about my man. We’re here to talk about yours.”
Noel’s face flushed, and Fitz did a little shimmy, making Noel laugh.
“I was talking to Ace, and—”
“Oh no, honey. That was your first mistake.”
Noel laughed. “He’s an interesting guy.”
“Is that what we’re calling it?” Fitz hummed. “Okay.” He patted Noel’s hand. “What did he say?”
“He said that I should talk to you about a certain someone. That you can help me, and I desperately need your help.”
Fitz knew it! Noel’s invitation to dinner was about their sweet friend. Speaking of their friend…. “He’s avoiding me at the moment.”
“What? Why?”
“Because he thinks I’m trying to steal his crush away.”
Noel let his head fall back with a groan. He shook his head. “See? Everything I do or say ends with him running away.”
“I don’t think he runs away because of what you say,” Fitz said, putting in his order for fish and chips with the waiter. “He runs because he’s so smitten with you that he panics.” It was sweet, though Fitz was certain Merry didn’t think so—poor guy.
Noel’s smile was wide. “Really?”
“Yep. So the problem isn’t whether he has feelings for you—he very clearly does—it’s how to help him so he doesn’t short-circuit the second you look at him.” Fitz gave Merry’s dilemma some thought. “I have a few ideas.”
“I’m all ears,” Noel replied. He took a sip of his beer. “From the moment he arrived in town, I was just….” He shook his head, his smile warm. “I was swept away. He’s so beautiful and amazing. But like you said, any time I so much as look at him, he runs off.”
Something occurred to Fitz. “Where have you mostly tried to approach him?”
“Um, around town.”
“What about at the café?” Fitz asked.
Noel cringed. “Well, the last time I was in there, he tripped over something behind the counter and fell. I’m afraid if I go back in there while he’s working a shift, he might hurt himself.”
“How about I talk to him first, then you go in there for coffee. I’ll let you know when. How’s that sound?”
Noel beamed at him. “That would be amazing. Thank you.”
They spent the next couple of hours chatting about the town and how the decorating was going. When they were done, Fitz thanked Noel for inviting him and promised he’d get in touch about Operation Merry Noel.
That night, Fitz had intended to spend some time with Jack, but he fell asleep sometime after eleven, and when he woke the next morning, Jack had already left. After breakfast, Fitz decided to drop in on his love. Sadly, his boyfriend not taking care of his health while obsessed with a job was not something new. Before he and Fitz got together, the Kings and Joker often had to force Jack to come up for air, including sending him home, especially when he slept in his office or stopped getting enough sleep altogether. Fitz feared Jack was spiraling again.
So far, Jack seemed to be on that path with all the long hours he’d been putting in at work. This time, it felt different, but Jack hadn’t mentioned anything, and they talked about everything. Maybe he’d gently bring it up.
Fitz headed down the main street toward the Ice Castle, loving how it looked. They’d managed to get all the garland and lights up, and later, they’d add all the finishing touches. Flurries of snow fell, and somewhere in the distance, Christmas music played. It was such a contrast to Christmas time at home.
Arriving at the Ice Castle, he let himself in through the front door when he heard it.
