Ink and Ice, Erin McRae [primary phonics .txt] 📗

After shouting their goodbyes and see-you-tomorrows to everyone, they lingered next to Aaron’s car, their breath rising toward the distant stars. Aaron wondered if anyone still in the house was watching them; he hoped not, but knew better than to assume.

As the hubbub of departing guests subsided and the quiet of the country night rose around them, Zack leaned sideways against Aaron’s car, his arms folded across his chest, presumably for warmth. Aaron resisted the urge to step forward and be wrapped up in those arms.

“I feel like there are a lot of logistical questions I should be asking you,” Zack said. “If I’m going to your island with you.”

Aaron still couldn’t believe he’d actually asked Zack to go—or that he’d said yes. He leaned against his car too, mirroring Zack’s posture. “I meant what I said. no expectations, no implications, no strategy. You’re important to me, even if we’re not together.” Aaron felt his cheeks burn as he admitted it. “I just... feel like I’ll be happier if you know who I am. And the island—not the ice, or your bed—is the only way. And really, you can’t spend the holidays by yourself,” he finished.

“Everything you’ve told me about it sounds so remote,” Zack said, a note of cautiousness in his voice.

“Are you nervous?” Aaron asked.

“Maybe.”

“It’s fine,” Aaron said firmly, in a burst of the same confidence he’d led Zack through so many skating lessons with. As if Zack’s nerves were just about how they were going to get to the island and not the foolishness of the plan to begin with. “You’ll be with me. We’ll fly to Cleveland. And then get a plane to Put-In-Bay. I’ve already got my flight scheduled. We can just add you to it. Someone will meet us there to get us back to our island...boat or snowmobile, depending on how frozen the lake is. Though if the cold keeps up like this, definitely snowmobile.”

Zack blinked at him. “That’s a lot of steps.”

“Like you just said, it’s remote. Have you not been paying attention?” Aaron said dryly.

“Of course I have. I just wasn’t expecting an invitation there. I wasn’t even expecting another invitation here,” Zack added, looking around the quiet farm.

“I know it’s a lot,” Aaron said, softening his tone and trying not to feel guilty for being impulsive and also so very much. “I’m sorry If you don’t want to come you don’t have to. Really.”

“I do want to,” Zack said, with a fervor that was both surprising and highly gratifying. “And if you want me to see where you’re from, don’t ever apologize for it.”

“Well, then. So many steps it is.” Aaron cleared his throat. Zack was so close, so warm, so real, and right in front of him. They were going to be on the island for days together.

“One more question,” Zack said.

“Anything.”

“Where am I going to stay?” Zack finally blurted.

“Oh! In my parents’ house.” Aaron realized, belatedly, that he probably should have led with that piece of information. “We don’t really have hotels or anything, not in the winter. We have ice, rocks, extreme proximity to the Canadian border, and... some very specific wildlife.”

“That sounds a lot like some of my assignment locations. Minus Canada. And the cold.”

“Yeah, you’ll want to pack layers.”

“You’ll tell your people I’m coming, right?”

Aaron huffed. “I pulled that stunt one time and you’re still holding it over me,” he complained to the sky.

“It was a memorable time.” Zack looked like he was about to say something more, but he stopped himself, looking intently at Aaron.

Aaron felt himself flush under the heat of his gaze. “I should go,” he said.

Zack drew closer to Aaron. “Early ice?” he asked with a sympathetic face.

“No. I mean, yes, I do.” Aaron shook his head. He was so close—he could lean up and kiss Zack if he wanted to. And he really, really wanted to do that. However. Zack had been the one to break up with him, and Aaron needed to not impose on whatever boundaries that had created between them. “I’ve already made enough impulsive choices for the night.”

Zack looked Aaron over with a gaze that warmed Aaron to his core. “I have self-control,” he said.

“Well,” Aaron replied. He fumbled for his keys and unlocked his car before he could do any one of a number of very un-chill things to Zack. As much as he hated to leave, his heart thrummed with anticipation. “Congratulations to you.”

Chapter 26

HORRIFYING PLANE TRAVEL

Lake Erie Islands

A FEW SHORT DAYS AFTER dinner at the farm, Zack packed his bags with all the layers he’d accumulated living in the Twin Cities and waited outside Marie’s house at an inhospitable hour for Aaron to pick him up and drive them to the airport.

Perhaps the atmosphere between them shouldn't have felt so comfortable, so natural, as they spent the drive in companionable silence. After all, they were exes, embarking on an absurd holiday visit Zack would have judged any of his friends for taking. Matt had seemed enthusiastic about the trip, at least, but Zack suspected Matt would be enthusiastic about anything someone thought would bring them happiness. The trait made him a valuable friend, but a questionable source of advice.

Still, here Zack was. With Aaron, who was as compelling as ever. And Zack knew himself well enough to recognize that the element of adventure and dubious choices only made this trip more appealing, not less. He’d been a war reporter for a reason, after all.

A war reporter who’d wound up with a fear of flying as just one of several mental souvenirs from that work. And while there weren’t that many miles between the Twin Cities and Aaron’s family’s home, getting there was anything straightforward.

The first leg, from Minneapolis−Saint Paul to Cleveland, was fine. Suboptimal, because Zack hated planes, but it was nothing beyond his expectations. There was a normal plane with normal jet engines, and Aaron kept up a lively stream of chatter that didn’t require much of Zack