“You’re very chill for someone being ambushed,” Abbie states, already unpacking pastries.
“Well, you have food,” Noah says, patting his stomach, smirking as he takes in the scene. “You must be Abbie and Ciarán. Aiden told me to watch out for you.”
Abbie nods her head in understanding, mirth lacing her tone as she side-eyes Ciarán. “Oh, I’m sure he told you to watch out for one of us, alright.”
Ciarán gasps dramatically. “He did not?! I’m a fucking delight!”
Noah’s eyes sparkle, and he throws me another wink before looking back at Ciarán. “That’s exactly what he said, actually.” Sarcasm drips from his tone, which earns him a playful eye roll from Ciarán.
I feel a rush of relief, seeing Noah easily connect with my people.
Abbie laughs, shaking her head. “Come sit. Eat something before you run off and do gym boy things.”
By the time the pastries are on plates, Noah’s taken the chair across from me, looking easy in a way that shouldn’t make me so happy, but does. He just seems to fit so well.
Ciarán drops into the seat next to Noah, propping his chin on one hand and eyeing him in a manner that spells trouble.
“Alright, Noah, a.k.a. mysterious new roommate that has somehow managed to evade us all these years,” he says, eyes bright with mischief. “What are your intentions with our Gabe?”
Heat crawls up my neck so fast I’m sure it shows. “Ciarán,” I mutter, but he only smirks at me like he’s doing me a favor.
Noah blinks, then lets out a quiet laugh. “My intentions?” He shakes his head, still smiling. “To be a good roommate… Maybe convince him to be my friend.” His eyes slide to mine, some emotion I can’t read shining in those blue depths. “Hopefully.”
The words cause something to rise in me—a soft, startled ache that feels too close to hope.
I’d like to be his friend; he was always Aiden’s, and I got to spend time with him by extension. I didn’t have many friends when we were young. I was so shy and quiet. When Noah got into reading, he started spending more time with me talkingabout books. He was always quieter around me than everyone else, not like he didn’t want to speak to me, but more like he was relaxed, maybe. Sometimes, when I was lonely and saw him hanging around with my brother, I’d think it wasn’t fair that he was Aiden’s best friend. I felt like he should have beenmine.
Now, though… I drop my gaze to my mug, hiding the grin I can’t stop. Color rushes to my face.
Abbie beams, “Oh, he’s good.”
“Acceptable,” Ciarán says with mock gravity, though there’s a glint of approval in his eye. “But we’ll be watching.”
Noah shrugs, lips curved, and somehow the air feels warmer than it did seconds ago.
Abbie swats at Ciarán with a napkin. “Okay, enough. We’re supposed to be nice.”
“Thisisme being nice,” Ciarán says, widening his eyes innocently. “I haven’t even asked about his tragic backstory yet.”
Noah laughs again, it’s a comforting sound, deep and warm, and I realize how much I like it.
“He doesn’t have one,” I murmur, tearing my croissant in half, hoping I’m right.
“Everyone has one,” Ciarán counters, but his voice softens when he glances at me.
Noah shakes his head, amused. “Not so much. Pretty sure mine wouldn’t even make the highlight reel.”
“That’s a relief,” I say, the words slipping out. The thought of something bad happening to him makes me feel sick. When Noah glances at me, I duck my head toward my plate.
Ciarán claps his hands, eyes lasered on Noah. “Fine. We’ll start with the basics. Do you like to read? And please don’t say yes only to say your favorite genre ishealth.” He says the word like it tastes bad.
Noah barks a laugh. “I do like to read, mainly fantasy.”
Abbie and Ciarán make oh and ah noises.
“See?” I say, surprised by the flicker of ease in my own voice. “He’ll fit right in.”
Noah looks surprised that I said anything at all, and I can’t keep eye contact with him.
