Page 155 of Deliverance

There’s a smudge of blue in the corner of his mouth, which I suspect is from him secretly sneaking candy before dinner. “What’s this, big guy?” I poke his cheek and walk around the Jeep toward Drew. “You stealing sweets again? That’s very un-Darth Vaderish.”

Falling into step beside me, he slaps his hand over the evidence and rubs his skin, eyes wide, a blush spreading over both cheeks.

“Ignore Zander.” Drew ruffles his hair as they walk ahead of me toward the house. Halfway to the massive porch, she turns her head and sticks out her tongue at me, gaze shining with mischief.

It takes effort not to run after her, flip her over my shoulder, and hide us in one of the spare bedrooms.

You’re fucked, a small voice in my head mutters a warning. No, more like laughs at me.

I ignore all reason and follow Drew and Aiden inside, where we’re instructed to take off our shoes on account of Faith crawling all over the place and licking items that aren’t meant to be licked.

In the living room, a huge glittering Christmas tree that seems to occupy every corner is blocking the view of the ocean, its green fluffy branches bending from the abundance of decorations, and after taking off my boots, I pause in front of this monstrosity to study it. Beneath it, there are a few colorful boxes, but my gut tells me those are just for looks and all the real presents were already unwrapped last week when I was in Seattle visiting my family and when Drew was in Colorado, seeing her mother and Molly the cat.

That night, after our parents turned in, we spent two hours talking on the phone. It was the longest conversation I’ve had with a woman that didn’t involve sex.

“Zander? Is that you?” Hazel’s voice carries over from the kitchen, interrupting my thoughts.

“Happy New Year, Mrs. Cross!” I call out, staring at all the Star Wars ornaments.

“You want to see my lightsaber?” Aiden asks, jerking my hand.

“Sure, buddy.” I give him a nod and he takes off toward the stairs.

“Wow!” Drew whispers, knocking my shoulder with hers. “That’s how you decorate a tree.”

“Tell that to my mother,” I whisper back, then add, “But I’m definitely sensing a theme.”

“Next year, you should hire my kids.” Justice laughs, his footsteps approaching us from the den, where the rest of the guests have congregated, judging by the sounds and smells. He’s sporting a pair of faded jeans, a simple black sweater, and socks. No footwear.

“Anyone told you child labor is against the law.” I swallow the distance with two strides to give my friend a hug.

“Don’t tell them,” he jokes and switches his attention to Drew. “Hey, beautiful lady. Happy New Year. Thank you for humoring my wife and coming over. And welcome.” Asshole’s still a smooth operator when he wants to be. Even married.

“Same to you.” She motions at the tree. “It’s quite impressive.”

“I suspect my daughter might have a knack for design.”

“You start them early, huh.” I crack a grin and shake my head.

“Yeah.” Justice nods, pride pouring out of him. “You have to. Or they’ll think you’ll buy them whatever they want.”

“You’ll buy them whatever they want anyway.”

“Just because I can doesn’t mean I will.” He beams. “Or at least, I’d like to believe so.”

I used to make fun of him for becoming such a softie with age. I don’t anymore. Drew’s turned me into one in a matter of weeks.

And the oddest thing?

I like this feeling of belonging.

I like texting her good night before going to sleep if we’re not sharing a bed. I like seeing the coffee emojis the next morning when I wake up. I like knowing that someone somewhere is missing me just as much as I miss her.

“You two go on.” Drew smiles and touches my shoulder lightly. “Keep talking about breaking more laws, and I’ll go help with the dinner.”

She disappears into the kitchen, where moments later the din of the dishes is replaced by female squeals and whispers.

“They’re talking about us,” Justice says with a knowing expression on his face.

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