Page 109 of The Long Way Found

"You can review that over coffee.” Jack stood, pulling Luke up with him. "As in tomorrow. Right now, I'm taking you home."

"I should stay and …"

"You should rest. Saturday's going to be a long day, and you're no good to anyone if you're running on fumes."

In the parking lot, Luke stopped Jack before he could get in his Jeep.

"Thank you."

"You did it. Thanks for letting me help."

Luke felt his eyes sting. "I'm not used to..."

"I know." Jack kissed his forehead. "I’ve got you.”

Luke held onto him for a long moment, breathing him in: cologne, coffee, and a steadiness that soothed Luke.

“We’re a team now, Luke. This is how it works.”

"Okay," Luke said finally. "Yeah. Okay."

Jack insisted they spoon on the couch to watch an episode of “The Golden Girls” to wind down. Luke fell asleep before it ended, and Jack carried him to bed.

Thursday morning, Luke woke to the smell of coffee and eggs.

He walked into the kitchen to find Jack at the stove, Marley at his feet, with breakfast almost ready.

"You stayed," Luke said.

"Wanted to make sure you ate something before diving back into crisis mode." Jack put eggs and toast on a plate and brought them to Luke. "Also, I have news."

"Good news or bad news?"

"Good. The printer called. Final proof is approved. Programs will be ready for pickup at three. We can review the proof at lunch, if you like, and if you’re satisfied, I’ll get them. Or we can go together. Or send Amir… He’d probably take Martinez and… “

Luke looked at Jack—this man who'd shown up with food, stayed overnight, made breakfast, and helped him solve problems Luke hadn't even asked him to fix.

Because that's what you did for someone you loved.

"Thank you," Luke said quietly.

Jack crossed to him and pulled him into a hug. "You don't have to thank me for showing up. That's what I do now. What I'm going to keep doing."

Luke held on tighter.

After asking Jack to choose him, now he had to accept the fact that Jack had.

CHAPTER 42

LUKE

By the time Luke realized he hadn’t eaten since noon, the fundraiser was already humming.

He slipped into the serving area to scarf a few appetizers out of sight, careful not to get any crumbs on his tuxedo, then re-entered the Alpine Summit ballroom at the majestic Midpoint Lodge.

The Midpoint Lodge was a cathedral of glass and cedar, perched where the trees gave way to the sky. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of Calder Ridge sparkling below like a cluster of diamonds.

Inside, amber string lights were draped like jewelry along the rafters, casting a warm, flattering glow over white tablecloths and half-empty glasses of wine. Tuxedo jackets and Western wear brushed past him. The air carried the scents of citrus and rosemary.