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“I like it better that way anyway” He nudgedin any hurry to leave our cozy bed nest “And hand-delivered Thanks again for yesterday You’re going to ain”

His wistful tone made my chest hurt “Don’t be so sure”

I had no plans in that area and sis with someone not Arthur made my jaw clench I didn’t want so a problem

“Derrick” There was a question in his eyes, one I wasn’t ready for Not aze, I hopped out of the bed and scrambled for some clothes

“We should get you fed before they close the kitchen” My words ca for an escape because he didn’t press me on the matter

“Okay”

Of course, as soon as he started getting dressed, the urge to drag hie in topic and location would do us both good We didn’t need to dwell on the future, not when the present was so da either of us could do to change that future either He’d go his way and I’d go mine and that would be that It was the only sensible course of action but one I was less and less sure I wanted

After getting dressed, we headed out into the rain to the dining hall to join the rest of the stragglers in eating the last of the waffles while other folks enjoyed their second cup of coffee andthe weather

“Please tell ame and hot chocolate kind of day,” Arthur said to his mom as she slid into a chair opposite us, coffee cup in hand

“Better We’re taking advantage of the rain to do crafts It’ll be fun!”

“At least it’s not hiking in the ave her half a sh

“You had enough mud yesterday” She was almost always cheerful, a trait I admired, even if I had no clue how someone could be so bubbly twenty-four-seven Even Arthur with his boundless good huotcranky about family stuff made my own broody tendencies feel more normal and also made him more human