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Ezra turns enough to look at him. “I’ll stay here. I have the photos, the scans, the old image folders, and a dock that apparently does more for my complexion than expensive moisturizers.”
“This isn’t about complexion,” Theo says.
“It never is. Tragic for my cheekbones.” Ezra reaches back and covers Theo’s wrist. “I’m not being left. I’m working from home.”
The words settle me. Enough.
Theo studies him. “You call if anything feels off?”
“I call if the water gets loud, if I fade hard, if the east feed moves, if the cheese supply runs low, or if I want a coffee from Sweet Tooth.”
“First three are serious,” Theo says.
Ezra smiles. “So are the others.”
An hour later, I stand in the kitchen with Darwin and my field bag packed, my stomach in knots. Nothing about the world makes sense, and all I know is I hate the thought of leaving him.
Ezra sits at the table with damp hair, an open laptop, cameras connected, and sketchbook beside him. Theo has checked the cameras, locks, weather, dock, and everyone’s water bottle.
I lean over Ezra’s chair. “You have the route stone photos?”
“Yes.”
“Love Stone scan?”
“Yes.”
“Hidden spring set?”
“Yes.”
“Snack plate?”
He lifts a cracker. “Vital.”
Theo sets his phone on the table. “Call stays open in the truck. Once we’re inside, text every fifteen.”
Ezra looks at him. “Twenty.”
“Fifteen.”
“Fine. I accept tyranny in small increments.”
Theo bends and kisses him. There’s nothing quick about it. The kiss is steady and deep, Theo’s hand cups the side of Ezra’s neck while Ezra’s fingers curl in his shirt. When they part, Ezra’s teasing has softened.
I kiss him next. His mouth tastes like tea and apple.
“Stay all the way yours,” I whisper.
His thumb brushes my cheek. “Go find out what decoration really means.”
I tap my bag. “I’m looking to find open marks and closed marks or if anything is connected to Vines records. That’s all I’m trying to prove today.”
“You got your snacks?” he asks.
“Obviously.”
Heritage Hall smells like fresh paint and old paper. The fire repairs have made the front rooms brighter. New cream walls. Polished display cases. A garland of silk flowers wrapped around the entrance of the Love Stone exhibit. Someone has added a painted sign over the archway that reads Love Always Finds Its Way Home in cheerful gold script.
