Page 55

From his jacket pocket he produces a spoon and stabs it into the tub. Mint chocolate. “Here, try it.”

“I’m good, thanks.” I wrap my palms around the hot coffee and let the warmth coat my throat. He tucks the tub between his thighs, and I make myself look at the dash.

He covers both my hands with his and pulls away my cup as I’m coming up for another sip. “Give me that.”

Stunned, I let him take it and he swaps it for the ice cream.

“Try it.”

I take a bite. Cold and sweet, while I’m warm and snug, and yeah. Okay. It’s four in the morning and I haven’t eaten since yesterday, so my judgment may not be reliable.

I lick the melty ice cream from the spoon and concede with a nod. “Fine. Yes, it’s good.”

He reaches over. His thumb finds the corner of my mouth and moves across it, one pass, unhurried, like the van isn’t running and there’s nowhere either of us has to be. Then his hand cradles my cheek. And stays there.

The windows are fogging up around me like evidence.

He blinks twice and takes his hand back. “You had ice cream… Sorry, you can have this back now.” His voice is a whisper as he returns my coffee to the cup holder.

I’m choking on words I can’t find and thrust the tub toward his chest. “Your turn.”

Your turn? For what? To let me ogle you while you eat ice cream?

Get a grip, Ellery.

“I…can’t. All yours.” His smile drops, and he starts the engine.

There’s that three-foot boundary line again. Right on cue.

On the ride back to Ravenslight, he doesn’t touch the windows, and neither do I.

My teeth catch on my lip, where I can still feel the cool press of his thumb. A man who regrets almost kissing you does not hold your face like that.

There’s clearly a hole in my theory.

I’ve been meaning to ask about a lot of things, and I keep not doing it. In my head, it’s never the right moment. I’m starting to suspect that it’s a choice, and I’m the one making it.

Chapter 24

Ellery

I’m perched at the counter of The Roost, enjoying Marthe’s lasagna and a coffee before another night of double tours. I’ve practically worn down my vocal cords from making conversation.

The bell above the door rings, and Nick enters. I check my phone, wondering if I’m running late, but no, I still have half an hour.

“Hey, Tess. Mom around?”

“Out back. I’ll get her.” She disappears.

Nick slides onto the stool beside mine.

“Want some?” I nudge my plate toward him, but he doesn’t take any. He never eats. I keep testing him, thinking surely I’ll land on something enticing enough for him to give it a try, but so far I’ve struck out.

Marthe comes in wiping her hands on a towel. “Can you fly the delivery up to Hollings tomorrow? I can’t get away, and you’re well past due to check in on the outposts.”

There’s an edge to it I haven’t heard from Marthe before.

“Sure, I can do that.” He doesn’t argue, which tells me this isn’t the first time she’s asked.