“And I notice you didn’t ask.”
Theo was silent.
“Are you going to ask?” I pressed.
My brother released a heavy exhale and scrubbed a hand over his face, mumbling something about how annoying I was.
Pretty typical.
I liked that, though. I liked that I could sit in this bar and bother my brother and watch football and feel like the world wasspinning at a normal pace again. And I especially liked that I got to have Ellie with me for it all.
“How’d you manage to get Theo this stressed-out in the time it took for me to go to the bathroom?” Cooper asked as he slid back into his spot in the booth.
“A certain redhead with the last name of Briggs is coming to tour campus, but we don’t even know if it’s the one he’s obsessed with, and he won’t botherasking,” I explained.
Ellie’s eyes bugged out. “Oh?”
“I hate you,” Theo grunted while folding his arms over his chest, assuming the defensive position.
“It’s okay, man,” I said, unfazed as I unlocked my phone again. “I’ll figure it out for you.”
“Touring campus, huh?” Cooper’s grin was lopsided. “Theoworkson campus.” He wiggled his brows up and down. “Imagine that.”
“I hate both of you.” He turned to Ellie. “Any chance you want to go have a drink, over there,withoutthem?”
Ellie placed her elbows on the table and then folded her fingers together, perching her chin there. God, I adored her. “I don’t know. I’m pretty invested in which Briggs sister is coming to Minnesota. Which one do wewantit to be, Theodore?”
My brother hung his head, giving it a mournful shake. “Never expected to be betrayed by you, Ellie Bellie,” he said, but there was a hint of a smile on his face, one that mirrored the one on Ellie’s, and my heart squeezed.
I needed more of that, of this—her smile, her peace, her here with my family again.
Dragging my gaze away from her, I focused on the text I was crafting in the group chat.
Late to the party here, but can’t wait for everyone to come visit. Noah, I know you’re busy playing a game or whatever, but when you’re done could you please let me know which of your future sisters-in-law is tagging along? I’ll need to know for the welcome basket.
Theo’s phone buzzed on the table as soon as I sent the message, and he seemed to be unable to help himself, grabbing the phone and reading it.
“Welcome basket?” he repeated, snorting. “I can’t with you.”
“You’rewelcome, by the way.” And then I ignored the face he made, giving my attention to my favorite person in the whole world and speaking softer, grateful that Theo changed the subject back to football and was discussing some shit about the last play with Cooper. “Will you come?”
A flicker of surprise crossed over her face. “To the game?”
“Yeah.” Unable to help myself, I swept her bangs to the side so I could see her eyes better. “To the game. With everyone.”
“I…” She hesitated, and I knew maybe the idea of it sounded like a lot. Itwasa lot.
“You don’t have to decide right now.”
“Okay,” she said, but her smile grew. “But I think I’d like that.”
“Yeah?”
She nodded, more resolute. “Yeah.”
I’d take it.
It was really more than I could ever hope for.
