Page 132 of The Shots You Take

Later, when they were halfway through their pints, Adam said, “I can’t believe this is the same place.”

“I know.”

“Like, who knew it was so big?”

“Just needed some light.”

“So what’s the surprise?” Adam asked.

“Not telling.”

Adam kicked him gently under the table. “Come on.”

“Nope.”

Adam sighed, then leaned in. “Okay, then I’ll tell you mine.”

Riley raised his eyebrows. “You have a surprise?”

“It’s more of an idea than a surprise. Here it is: let’s go to Iceland.”

“Today?”

“This winter. I still want to sit in a thermal pool and watch the northern lights with you.”

“Still?”

“Yes, Riles. We talked about this, remember?”

“No. When?”

Adam’s cheeks turned pink. “I guess it may have been a while ago.”

“Like when we were twenty-two?”

Adam mumbled something.

“Pardon?” Riley said.

“Twenty-three,” Adam said. “And, okay, yes. It’s weird that I still think about it.”

Riley put his hand on Adam’s wrist. “It’s not weird. It’s sweet. And I’d love to go to Iceland with you.”

“Yeah?” Adam’s eyes crinkled. “Cool. We haven’t gotten to travel together much.”

“I know. We’ve been busy. But we should.”

Adam glanced up at their jerseys. “I wish I could go backin time and tell the guy who signed that jersey that, one day, he’d be married to you.”

“Seems mean.”

Adam kicked him again. “Stop it.”

They stayed for another drink, and by that time Riley felt it was dark enough to finally reveal his surprise, though he worried about Adam’s raised expectations.

Adam guessed his plans when Riley turned onto an unpaved road.

“Hey, wait. Are we going to that little beach?”

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