“Noah, right?” Jules’s warm smile held no judgment. “Just you today, or do you have someone joining you?”
“Nope. Just me.” Noah wondered how Jules remembered his name. It wasn’t as if he was a regular in the bar or anything. But he was grateful they did. “And what about you? I thought you worked nights?”
“Covering for Katie—summer cold’s making its rounds.” They wiped down the bar in front of Noah before setting down a menu. “So, what brings you in today?”
Noah settled at the counter, oddly comforted by Jules’s casual greeting. “Needed a change of scenery.”
“I get that.” Jules slid a glass of water his way. “Coffee while you decide? You look like you haven’t slept in days.”
“Please.” Great. Even the server who’d only met him a few times recognized he looked like shit.
Jules’s movements were efficient as they prepared his coffee, adding just the right amount of cream without asking. They were definitely cut out for this job if they remembered the little details this well.
“So,” Jules said, setting down the mug, “want to talk about it?”
Noah looked up sharply. “About what?”
“I know I’m not actually a bartender, but I’d like to think I’m pretty good at reading people.” At Noah’s startled expression, Jules shrugged. “And Luke’s been living on coffee and takeout for days, which usually means he’s either stressed or avoiding something. I could be completely off base here, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence both of you are showing up here instead of the bakery.”
“It’s complicated.” Noah wrapped his hands around the warm mug, anchoring himself.
“Isn’t it always?” Jules’s voice held no judgment, just quiet understanding. “You know, when I first started here, I was terrified of letting anyone see the real me. Figured it was safer to keep people at arm’s length than risk their rejection.”
Noah studied them over his coffee cup. “What changed?”
“Jamie—my boss. He caught me crying in the storage room one day after some asshole customer made comments about my appearance.” Jules’s smile turned soft. “Instead of firing me or telling me to toughen up, he sat with me. Told me his brother was trans, and that he’d kick out anyone who gave me shit.”
“That must have meant a lot.”
“Changed my life.” Jules began wiping down the counter, their movements precise. “Made me realize that sometimes the family we choose is just as important as the one we’re born into. That letting people in, really letting them see us, is scary but worth it.”
Noah’s throat felt tight. “Even if it means risking getting hurt?”
“Especially then.” Jules paused, their expression thoughtful. “Look, I don’t know exactly what’s happening with you and Luke. But the couple of times you’ve come in for dinner, it was easy to see you’re both crazy about one another. That’s not something you walk away from without a fight.”
Before Noah could respond, his phone buzzed with a text. His heart jumped seeing Luke’s name, then sank as he read the message.
Structural issue at the site. Engineer coming this afternoon. Might have to work late again.
He wasn’t surprised, but he’d hoped tonight Luke would finally be caught up enough to meet. Jenna would probably say he’d manifested today’s work issues when he told Eli that Luke wouldn’t be over after work.
“Bad news?” Jules asked softly.
“Something like that.” Noah set his phone face-down, trying to ignore the ache in his chest. He couldn’t really be upset with Luke for having to work extra hours, but it was starting to feel personal. “Luke’s dealing with some emergency at a job site.”
Another text from Luke came in.
Miss you. Both of you.
Three simple words that made his chest ache with everything he was trying to protect himself from. Everything he was failing to protect Eli from by pulling away.
“When we were at the lake house,” Noah found himself saying, “my son fell in the water. It’s not easy finding time for just us, so when Luke’s mom offered to keep an eye on him, I took her up on it. It wasn’t even for that long, but he fell in the water right as we got back. Everyone else knew exactly what to do, but I just…froze. I should have been there watching him, but I wanted some time with my boyfriend…”
“And now you’re punishing yourself? And Luke?” Jules’s voice held no judgment, just quiet understanding. “Sounds lonely.”
“It is.” The admission slipped out before Noah could stop it. “But isn’t it better to be lonely than to risk?—”
“What? Being happy?” Jules straightened as the door chimed, signaling new customers. “Look, I’ve got to get back to work. But, Noah? Speaking from experience? The walls we build to protect ourselves usually end up being our own prison.”
