Page 74 of Something Like Hail

Harold’s smile was a little tight. “No rush,but when you’re finished, we should head back. I’ve got some thingsto take care of.”

“You’re the boss,” Noahsaid with a sigh. “At least last night you were. Tonight will bedifferent.”

“We’ve gotta worksometime,” Harold said.

“True, true. Stop ruiningmy fantasies!”

Harold laughed and seemed to relax. “Norush.”

After eating breakfast, Noah shut himself inthe bathroom until he was presentable again. Then they checked outand began the drive home. Noah was in high spirits. He talked abouteverything but his messed-up family, although Harold’s responsesseemed a little short.

“Did you sleep okay?” Noahasked.

“Like a baby,” Haroldreplied, not expounding or offering another subject.

Maybe he was sick of talking. Noah felt thatway sometimes too, so he surfed the radio, finding different trackshe liked and asking Harold for a simple thumbs-up or thumbs-downafter each. When this game wore thin, he turned off the radio andtried to settle into a comfortable silence. That wasn’t easy,because he wanted them to keep interacting and having fun.

Harold seemed to have other things on hismind. When they had pulled into town and their phones vibrated withnew assignments, he almost seemed relieved. “Who have you got?”

“Stanley Burnett,” Noahsaid. “Who’s he?”

“Another easy one. Hemostly just wants company. The most you’ll have to do is whack itin front of him.”

Noah laughed. “What about yours?”

“Mine is into go-godancers. Has a pole and everything in his basement. I’m lookingforward to the exercise.”

“You’re gorgeous!” Noahsaid, poking his stomach. “Stop being so down on yourbody.”

“I just mean that I’mrestless from so much sitting the last two days.”

Maybe that’s why he was getting tense. Someguys needed to move, to blow off steam to feel happy. No big deal.Noah tried not to bug him for the remainder of the trip. When theyreached Harold’s house, he was invited inside.

“I should probably check inwith the shelter,” Noah said as they stood on the patio. “I’ve gota friend there, Edith, and she worries about me.”

Harold chewed his bottom lip beforespeaking. “I meant what I said the other day. You can stay herefrom now on.”

And yet, unless Noah was mistaken, Haroldseemed to want his space. “It’s cool,” he said. “I’ve got my ownroom now, and the idea of working my way to the top is motivating.Besides, I don’t want to suffocate anything.”

“Huh?”

“What’s just starting. Youknow. Don’t make me say it.”

Harold licked his lips. Then he angled hishead toward the house. “Come inside real quick. Okay?”

For a kiss? Or more? Noah grinned andfollowed him in.

Harold led him to the living room and turnedaround. He didn’t suggest they sit. “Remember how we talked aboutthe downsides of this job?”

Noah shook his head. “No.”

“About how relationshipsdon’t work. Maybe I’m way off, but that’s what you’re after,right?”

Noah rolled his eyes and smiled. “I know, Iknow. We’re not boyfriends or committed. But I like you, and I knowwhat I felt last night. Let’s see where that leads.”

“Nowhere!” Harold said,brow knotting up. He shook his head, paced away, and turned to holdup a hand. “Sorry, I didn’t mean for that to sound— We’re friends.That’s all we can be. It doesn’t matter how I feel about you, orvice versa. In this line of work… We’ve talked about this! I knowwe have.”

“Yeah,” Noah said. “Iremember now. Calm down, okay? I’m not asking for a commitment. Ijust think we should be honest with each other about how wefeel.”