Noah steps back toward the weights, muscles shifting under his skin. He catches my eye in the mirror and winks, and my throat goes dry all over again.
I guess I could stay a bit longer. Ciarán will find me… eventually.
Split Pea smells like warm bread and something spiced when we step inside. It’s been so long since I’ve come here, but the familiarity of it makes my shoulders drop before I even sit down. It’s small but bright, with mismatched chairs, pale green walls, and ceiling-hung plants that soak in the sunlight.
Sonya waves us in with a dish towel in one hand and a soft smile. She hasn’t changed. My chest aches when I think about how much I’ve missed out on by hiding away.
Abbie and Theo are already at the back table, bent toward each other, laughing at something on her phone.
“You made it,” Abbie says as soon as she sees me, her face lighting up.
“Barely,” I say, taking my jacket off.
“Oh, don’t be dramatic,” Ciarán drawls as he drops down beside them. “It’s lunch, not an execution.”
“I’m proud of you,” Abbie says over him, ignoring his snark. “Multiple outings in a few weeks. That’s amazing.”
A part of me hates that she brought up that fact, but I can’t help the smile tugging at my mouth, hearing her say she’s proud of me. I feel a little proud of myself.
Noah pulls out the chair beside the one he claimed. “Saved you a seat, right beside me,” he says with a wink.
I sit and try not to notice how his knee brushes mine under the table, or how much I liked that wink. Has he been giving me more of them lately?
Sonya appears then with menus tucked under one arm. “Lentil soup is the special today,” she says. “You all look like you could use a good meal.”
“Definitely. We’re trying to keep Gabe well-fed,” Ciarán says solemnly. “His idea of lunch is tea and a cookie.”
“Oh my god, I’m right here,” I mutter.
“I know, it’s wonderful,” he says with a flash of a grin I can’t help but return, and the sheer fact he’s pleased that I’m here warms me.
Theo snorts quietly into his coffee.
“You’re encouraging him,” I tell Theo.
“Someone should,” Theo says, which makes Ciarán beam.
Abbie leans forward, chin propped on her hand. “Speaking of encouraging, how’s the online shop coming along?”
I grimace. “Pending.”
Iamworking on it, it’s just going slowly. It’s not something I’m naturally skilled at, but I have Noah helping me.
“Pending is good, it’ll get there,” Ciarán says, matter-of-factly. “Wild Fern Library is looking to organize more queer events in town, you should contact them. Very much your scene.”
“It used to be,” I say softly.
“It still is,” he counters, and there’s no teasing in it.
The words are a pressure and a valve at once. It always was my scene. I want it to be mine again. It could be, I survived the last event.
Abbie chimes in, looking sheepish. “And surprise… we set up a new social media page for the store. You need presence if youwant to expand. Ciarán’s got a reel ready to post if you’re okay with it?”
My stomach flips. “You what?”
“Just a quick pan of the storefront. Very trendy and marketable. That little book version of Willowrun is adorable.”
I bury my face in my hands, groaning. “I’m overwhelmed.”
