“Isn’t fire season over?” Peter asked, looking Zeke over like he was a mineral-rich country he wanted to pick a fight with to gain control.

“I’m still staying at the hotel here in town,” Zeke explained.

“Why?” Peter asked with the most condescending tone he could manage.

Zeke gestured to me with a sweet smile.

Peter didn’t try to hide his jealousy. He glared at me. “Hotshot, huh? Since when? Is this why you begged for clearance? Are you fucking kidding me?”

I didn’t answer, but I could see Zeke’s surprised expression from my peripheral.

“Peter is also my boss,” I explained, refusing to look away from Peter’s scowl.

“Weird,” Zeke said. He set the six pack on the side table by the couch and crossed his arms. “So you gonna stay for the movie or…?” Zeke asked Peter.

Peter waited for my answer.

I sighed. “Why don’t you come over for Thanksgiving? Zeke and I are cooking, and the guys are coming over.”

One corner of Peter’s mouth shook when it attempted to curl up. “It would be rather awkward to visit my parents without Paige.”

I opened the door with a smile. “Great! See you tomorrow.”

Peter walked out, pausing to glance at Zeke before leaving.

I closed the door, resting my forehead against the wood.

“What was that about?” Zeke asked. He patted the couch beside him. “C’mere.”

I trudged over to him, borderline pouting, then fell next to Zeke. He curved his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer, kissing my temple. “I’m so glad tonight is the night you chose to stay for the first time. Even if it is because you’re helping with the food while I’m at work and not because Peter pisses me off.”

“I’m just glad you finally asked.” When I didn’t respond, he continued. “Peter’s your oldest friend and boss?”

“Peter was my childhood sweetheart. We broke up when he got engaged to someone else, and a few years later, I married Matt. After the funeral, I joined the Marines. Peter through a fit. When I was deployed, Peter begged me to let him find a way to bring me home, but I wanted to be out there with my team. He finally figured out how to do it.”

“How?”

“Peter is the head bitch in charge of funding for the mountain. Trex was offered this job, chose his own team, and after we got here, we realized Peter pulled a lot of strings and cashed in all his favors. He knew Trex would bring me here.”

Zeke looked around as if my house was bugged and leaned in to whisper. “Who is he? Like CIA or something?”

I laughed out loud. “No, he’s a junior senator. His dad is Speaker of the House.”

“Whoa,” Zeke said.

“He’s harmless,” I said.