As the car pulled into the driveway, Thomas noticed the porch light flicker on across the street. Veronica stepped out of her house, a cardigan wrapped tightly around her shoulders. Without a word, she crossed the street and grabbed two of the bags Thomas wasn’t carrying.

  They moved efficiently, wordlessly, as if it were routine. First to Ruth and Sholomoh’s room—placing their bags just inside the door—then up the narrow stairs to Thomas’s room.

  As Thomas began unpacking—folding sweaters, tucking shoes under the bed—Veronica leaned against the doorframe.

  Veronica:

  “I just wanted to say thank you.”

  Thomas:

  “For what?”

  Veronica:

  “For encouraging me and Jonathan to go out. It was great. I’m really glad we did.”

  Thomas smiled, glancing at her from where he was straightening his bookshelf.

  Thomas:

  “Good to hear you two had a grand old time. So… where do you see it going?”

  Veronica:

  (Shrugging) “It was like hanging out with my brother and then going out to dinner.”

  Thomas blinked, confused.

  Thomas:

  “I think I’m missing something.”

  Veronica:

  “It was fun. But it felt more like friends than anything else. Still—we decided to kiss. Just to see.”

  She gave him a sideways look.

  Veronica:

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  “It was like kissing a sibling.”

  Thomas snorted, half-laughing.

  Veronica:

  “We’d probably go out again—if you weren’t available. But seriously dating? Nah. We’re not a match.

  We actually spent more time talking about you and your ideas than about each other.”

  She smiled, half teasing, half wondering.

  Veronica:

  “He even went to church with me today. Said he gets now why you’re so service-oriented.

  So—how was it with Shoshana? I heard some things. But I want to hear it from you.”

  Thomas leaned against his desk, arms folded.

  Thomas:

  “My consolation is that there are only a few weeks until Christmas break.”

  He exhaled.

  Thomas:

  “I wanted to stay longer. Zeb offered me a few days of work over the first week of break. I think it’ll turn into a summer internship. I’ll be at Tamar and Zeb’s place. You could stay with Shoshana if you want.”

  Veronica:

  (Laughing) “How do you stand it? I’d be—”

  Thomas:

  “—In the room, making out. Or looking for a place to do so.”

  Veronica:

  “You get it. But seriously, why not?”

  Thomas:

  “I’ve always been more like Shoshana when it comes to relationships. Looking for compatibility. Connection. But not finding many who match.

  Honestly, my best friend—and a few other friends—taught me just how messy it can get when you lead with the physical.”

  He looked down, rubbing the back of his neck.

  Thomas:

  “Not that I’m immune. Tamar had to stop us from kissing at Thanksgiving.”

  Veronica’s eyes widened.

  Veronica:

  “She didn’t say that. She said she asked for a passionate kiss—but getting pulled off each other? Wow.”

  Thomas:

  “Please don’t tell anyone. I like the mystique.”

  They both laughed—deep, easy, familiar.

  Veronica:

  “I still have a question, though… Are we still dating?”

  Thomas tilted his head.

  Thomas:

  “Why do you ask?”

  Veronica:

  “I had a date. With Jonathan.”

  He didn’t flinch.

  Thomas:

  “I think I’m going to be your boyfriend even after we’ve both been married fifty years—even if not to each other.”

  Veronica blinked, eyes softening.

  Veronica:

  “You know how special you make me feel? I can talk to you about other guys, and you don’t even blink. I don’t know why that means so much, but it does.”

  Thomas stepped toward her, looking into her eyes.

  Thomas:

  “Just come here.”

  She stepped in closer. He raised a hand gently, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek.

  Thomas:

  “May I?”

  She nodded, bowing her head slightly. He pulled her into a soft, tender kiss—light, but full of warmth. He held her afterward, just long enough for her to relax against his chest.

  Then she looked up, pulled him back in, and kissed him again—longer this time.

  Veronica:

  “It’s that. How do you do that? It’s not exciting—it’s comforting.”

  (Smiling sadly) “Shoshana better never let you go.”

  Thomas looked away for a moment, then back at her.

  Thomas:

  “I’m still surprised you’re okay playing second fiddle to her.”

  Veronica didn’t flinch.

  Veronica:

  “The only person I care about more than you… is her.

  Do you know what it’s like to hear her talk about you?

  I’m more than willing to share you—until I find my version of you.”