Married before Christmas by Megan Linden

Author:Megan Linden [Linden, Megan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-10-28T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Noa tensed the moment Daniel sat up with a frown.

"What is it? What happened?"

Fuck. Was it too much to hope for Daniel to catch a break? After this roller coaster of a day, Noa would welcome one as well, but Daniel definitely needed it more.

Unfortunately, it seemed like neither of them would be lucky enough to get one any time soon.

"Did the doctors say anything more? Was it—Why now?"

If Daniel's words hadn't clued Noa in, the way his voice dropped would.

Phillip Collins had died. And just like with every death that was expected, it came as a surprise, anyway.

"Do you want me to come over there? To drive you home or—Whatever you want." Daniel ran a hand through his hair as he stared at something right ahead. "No, I don't. I...I better not."

Noa got up and crossed the small space between the armchair and the couch. Before, he had needed that space, needed the distance, but now, it didn't matter. He wanted to be there for Daniel.

Without thinking about it too much, Noa sat down right next to Daniel and curled his arm around Daniel's chest from behind to pull him closer.

Daniel didn't hesitate for even a second, melting into his hold with a shaky inhale. He was half-lying on Noa now and Noa rested his chin on the top of Daniel's head, trying to focus on Daniel's heartbeat under his hand that he left on Daniel's chest.

"Yeah, sorry, I'm here," Daniel said into the phone even as he put his free hand on top of Noa's. "Are you sure you don't want company? We have space."

We. Noa's stupid heart was apparently unable to not react to Daniel's casual use of 'we', even in a situation like this. Maybe it was pathetic, but he didn't care. It wasn't like he was going to go out there and advertise it to anyone.

"Well, okay, but just know that you can always change your mind, okay? Day or night, I don't care."

Noa couldn't hear Richard's response, just the quiet, muffled rumble of his voice, but whatever it was, made Daniel clutch at Noa's hand hard enough to hurt.

"You've been my father in all the ways that matter for years now and you know it. I just want you to know that I'm here for you, too."

Noa swallowed hard and rubbed his cheek over Daniel's head.

Daniel seemed to appreciate the caress, if the way he relaxed even further into Noa's hold was any indication, and Noa had to stop himself from dropping a kiss on top of his head. After what had happened earlier, the meaning wouldn't be as obvious as it would have been before.

Still, complicated or not, nothing could have stopped him from taking Daniel into his arms when the man had just found out his biological father had died.

When Daniel got off the phone, they fell into silence.

Noa pulled him even closer and buried his nose in his hair, inhaling and exhaling slowly. Daniel kept his hand on Noa's, but he wasn't clutching it anymore.

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