Page 50 of The Long Way Found

But this morning, their first time waking up together, definitely felt different to Luke. Maybe Jack’s not a morning person. Don’t read into it.

But as he walked into his house, Luke couldn’t shake the sense that even though they’d spent the night together, they’d woken up in completely different places.

CHAPTER 17

LUKE

Patty's text came mid-morning: "Luke, can you come over today? I need your advice about something. Not urgent."

Luke showed up at noon, slightly worried. Patty didn't usually ask for advice.

She made him a sandwich like in the old days, and he relaxed a little. Whatever it was, it couldn't be that serious if she was making food.

"What's up?" he asked. "How can I help?"

"It's the hotel."

"What about it?"

"What are you hearing?"

"What am I hearing? Gosh, I don't know. Nothing. Why?"

"Every few years, somebody makes me an offer, you know. Rumors are floating around, and you know everybody in town."

"No, this is the first I'm hearing of it. What do you think about that? Selling, I mean."

"Maybe."

"No."

"Yeah. Maybe. If it's a good offer and the people promise to keep it up right."

"Why? What's going on? Is Mr. Ellis OK?"

She touched his hand and smiled. He could see it in her eyes—she was about to pivot to something else. The hotel question had been a warm-up.

"He's fine. But… we're getting up there, and for the first time in my life, retirement doesn't sound like an obscenity."

"Nice," Luke said. "I like that."

"Keep your ears open for me."

"I will."

Patty stood and fetched the coffee pot, refilling both their cups at the table. She sat back down with a look Luke recognized. Mother Hen was about to dig deeper.

"Thank you, sweetheart. Now, what about you? What's going on with the high school heartthrob?"

Luke felt his face warm. "We've been hanging out."

"Hanging out? Is that what it's called these days?"

He could feel himself blushing. "Yes, we're dating. Seeing each other."

"And?"

"And what?"