By then, the dining room was clearing out, though the bar was still packed. Standing room only. They rose, pulled on their coats. As they worked their way through the crowd, Lucas leaned forward, saying against Riley’s ear, “Did you want to stay for a nightcap?”
He was close enough to nip Riley’s earlobe, although of course he did not. He breathed in Riley’s scent, the unique chemistry of soap and skin that made Riley smell deliciously like sun-warmed junipers and moonlit snow. Like no one else. The ends of Riley’s hair tickled his face, and hunger that had nothing to do with steak and potatoes filled Lucas’ belly, his chest.
Riley glanced back, said regretfully, “I think I’m crashing at my place tonight.”
Lucas pulled back sharply, staring. “Why?”
Riley’s brows shot up. “Because I haven’t been there in two weeks. For all I know the place could’ve been broken into.”
“I think we’d have heard if you’d been burgled,” Lucas protested.
He was talking to the back of Riley’s head, Riley increasing the distance between them as he maneuvered through the press of sweater- and jacket-clad bodies, the bob of toques and beanies.He pushed open the entrance door and went out.
A couple of seconds later, the heavy glass and wood door swung shut behind Lucas. He was relieved to see Riley waswaiting for him on the porch, pulling his gloves on. He glanced up, as if in inquiry.
“Are you mad at—about something?” Lucas asked. “Because I thought…”
“No. I’m not angry. I’m not disappointed. I’m tired. I think I’ll sleep better in my own bed.”
Since when was Lucas’ bed not Riley’s bed?
But, okay, fair enough. Riley looked tired. He sounded tired. Hewastired. They were both tired. There was no reason to feel like…to feel the way Lucas felt. Like they were breaking up.
A snippet of a poem from some long-ago high school English class floated into his mind.This is how the world ends…
Not with a bang but with a quiet goodnight.
He said urgently, “Riley—”
Riley’s gaze met his. He waited a moment, then his mouth quirked into another of those not-quite-a-smiles. Leaning in, he kissed Lucas, pressing his warm mouth firmly…then more softly against Lucas’. A moment of shared breath in a very cold world, and then—
“Night, Lucas.” Riley turned and went down the porch steps.
Lucas watched him through the prism of snowflakes until Riley’s long shadow merged into the night.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Supervisory Special Agent Lucas D. Alexander
Silver Pine RA, Salt Lake Division
Confidential Field Report
Subject: Unofficial Debrief – Operation Twelve Days
Classification Level: Emotionally Compromising
Date:December 21
Time:Approximately 0008 hours
Location:Chalet Residence, Silver Pine, ID
Field Agent:Alexander, Lucas D. (SSA)
Involved Party:Christopher, Riley M. (SA)
Mission Objective:Holiday morale assessment / dinner engagement
