Page 69 of The Long Way Found

"Yes. Why?"

"I’m making sure we have the headcount right."

But there was something in Mara's tone, something careful, like she was trying not to say what she was really thinking.

"What?" Luke asked.

"Nothing. I'm just... People are excited to meet him, that's all. Dale mentioned he's looking forward to finally meeting your handsome friend who's got you smiling so much lately."

Luke shook his head. When had this become a debut?

He'd just wanted Jack at his birthday party. Simple. His boyfriend, his friends, his 40th. Nothing complicated.

But somewhere along the way, it had become more than that. It had become Jack meeting Luke's people. Jack being introduced to the community. Jack being Luke's date, or boyfriend, or whatever.

And Jack had said, “Let’s be cool about Friday.”

Like it was too much. Like Luke was asking for too much.

"He'll be there," Luke said, more to convince himself than Mara.

Mara reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "I'm sure he will."

But her eyes said something different. Her eyes said: I hope so, for your sake.

Luke drove back to The Ridge, Mara's words echoing in his head.

People are excited to meet him.

When had this happened? When had wanting Jack at his birthday party become wanting Jack in his life so publicly and undeniably, in front of everyone who mattered?

And why did that feel so terrifying and so right at the same time?

Some people worried about turning 40, but Luke had been telling himself (and everyone else) that it didn't bother him.

As it grew closer and closer, it had begun to nag at him.

Was this what forty looked like? Waiting for someone to show up? Trying to be "cool" about wanting things? Apologizing for needing reassurance?

Was it a cosmic coincidence that Jack was back right now? Was this turning 40 nonsense really about being afraid of facing the future like he'd spent his whole life so far, alone?

He believed Jack would be there at his party.

He chose to believe that, had to believe that.

But somewhere between late-night conversations, shared mornings, and quiet promises that felt like more than they probably were, wanting Jack had stopped feeling optional.

And he couldn't unwant Jack now.

Even if wanting him meant getting hurt, or if "be cool" meant Luke was supposed to pretend it didn't matter.

It all mattered to him.

CHAPTER 26

LUKE

By five-thirty Friday evening, Luke was dressed and standing in the hotel hallway, the low hum of voices bleeding through the closed doors ahead of him.