“I want.” I kissed his temple. “I do want your help, and I want you.”

That little speech earned me another kiss from him. The paver was cold under my butt and the air still nippy, but things were heating up right where they counted. In Jasper’s parents’ yard. In the middle of the night. Oops. I pulled away, breathing hard, and he laughed.

“And we can cross-check my research with Professor Tuttle tonight. He knows classic cars. If that’s okay.”

“It’s okay. What I realized is I don’t have to do it all on my own and neither do you.”

“Assemble the team!” Jasper pumped a fist upward like his invisible cape might carry him skyward.

“Shh.” I was laughing too hard to do a good job quieting him. “Dork.”

“You—”

“Love you. Yeah. I just might.” I went ahead and said it because maybe he needed to hear it. And maybe I needed to say it. “And yes, assemble the team. The dynamic duo rides at dawn.”

“Maybe not dawn.” He yawned wide. “How about first some sleep, then we save the world?”

“Deal.” I still didn’t have all the answers and neither did he. I had no idea how things were going to turn out—the car, the cards, Bruno, my living situation—all of it. But I knew I had Jasper, and that was what truly mattered.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Jasper

“Oh, good. You’re here.” Professor Tuttle was laughing, expression sly as he opened his door. “What we need is a heist.”

As the professor moved aside so we could enter, Milo leaned in close, whispering, “When I said assemble the team, I didn’t mean criminal masterminds. We can’t let the old guys get arrested on my behalf.”

“They won’t.” Of that I was pretty sure, and I sneaked a quick pat on his back as we shed our coats. He was still a little jumpy after our late-night soul-baring conversation. Professor Tuttle being apparently ready for grand larceny was not helping matters.

“A heist?” I asked louder.

“A cookie heist.” Professor Herrera came into the hall, drying his hands on a dish towel. “They’re cooling. And none until after your game and after the snack I’m making.”

“Darn.” Professor Tuttle gave him such a fond look that my stomach cramped from the sweetness. Maybe someday. Despite the lack of sleep, Milo and I had lain awake, talking more until the sun was teasing the sky, and then we’d finally drifted off for a couple of hours. Waking up with him was fast becoming my favorite thing on earth.

“And Milo! Exactly the nongamer I was hoping to see!” Professor Herrera clapped Milo on the back. “Want to learn some new knife skills? I’m making a new sheet-pan nachos recipe with my homemade salsa.”

“Uh. Okay. Thanks.” Milo blinked, clearly not expecting this welcome.