Page 59 of North

“I definitely think we’re on that path,” I agree, not willing to say more for fear of jinxing us.

“Want a picture?” Atlas offers, wiping his hands on a napkin and gesturing to me and the boy.

“Can we?” the dad asks, pulling out his phone and handing it to Atlas.

The boy tilts his head to look at his dad. “Can Atlas get in the photo with us?”

“Ha!” Atlas exclaims with a wide smile. “I thought you’d never ask. Hold on just a second.”

He turns and grabs Amy at the next table, tapping her on the shoulder. “Do you mind snapping a photo for us?”

“Sure thing,” she chirps brightly.

We all line up, dad and the boy in the center, flanked by me and Atlas. Amy snaps photos and then orders dad out of the photo who gladly obliges. Atlas and I bend down so we’re on the same level as the kid, who beams as he vibrates with excitement.

“Keep cheering us on, all right?” I say as Amy hands the phone back to the father and moves off to another table.

“Always!” the boy exclaims. “Thanks, Mr. Paquette!”

When they’re gone, we sit back down. Atlas smirks at me across the table. “Mr. Paquette. You’re old, man.”

“Old and still faster than you on the ice,” I shootback, reclaiming my sandwich.

“Debatable,” he says, biting into his burger again.

We fall into a comfortable silence, the sound of silverware clinking and low chatter filling the space around us. Outside, a group of kids runs by, their laughter carrying through the glass. It’s one of those rare moments where everything feels right—until Atlas decides to stir the pot.

“So, you and Farren.” He looks at me expectantly.

I glance up, already anticipating his smug expression. “What about us?”

“You tell me.”

I shrug, playing it off. “It’s good.”

“Good, huh?” He raises an eyebrow. “You’re not exactly the casual type, North. Is it just good, or is it… you know, something more? Because dating a teammate’s sister is a big deal.”

I sip my shake, considering how much to share. Atlas has become one of my closest friends since we both joined the Titans, and I know I can trust him. Still, putting this into words feels vulnerable.

“It’s more,” I admit finally, setting the glass down. “But it’s complicated.”

Atlas leans forward, his expression curious. “Why her? I mean, don’t get me wrong, Farren’s great. Smoking hot.” I glare at him, and he laughs. “But what is it about her that’s got you all twisted up?”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “She’s different. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s true. It’s just something I feel inside.”

“That doesn’t tell me shit,” he says.

Fair point. “She’s not like anyone else I’ve ever met. She’s smart. Like, scary smart. You can see the wheels turning in her head all the time, and when she finally speaks, it’s like, damn, why didn’t I think of that? And she’s funny as hell, but not in an obvious way. It’s more… sharp, quick. She’ll say something that seems normal at first, and then a second later, it hits you, and you’re dying laughing. She keeps me on my toes.”

I cross my arms on the table and realize I’m rambling but can’t seem to care. “She’s the kind of woman who makes you work for it, you know? Like, she doesn’t hand anything over on a silver platter. You’ve got to earn it with her, every smile, every laugh, every moment she lets you in. And that… that’s addictive. She doesn’t let me get away with shit either. Calls me out when I’m wrong, doesn’t hesitate to challenge me. I like that about her. Hell, I love that about her. Makes me want to be better, not because she asks me to, but because she deserves it. She makes me think about things differently. About myself, about what I want. She just gets to me, man. In ways I didn’t even know someone could.”

“But?” Atlas prompts. “Because while that was quite the mouthful and she should practically be elevated tosainthood in your eyes, I sense abut.”

“But,” I say with a nod. “She’s holding back. Despite all that stuff I just told you that she gives me, she’s got walls up, and I don’t know why. Something happened in her past, something that makes it hard for her to trust people.”

“Let me say, I still find it absolutely weird that Rafferty is championing your cause with his little sister, but what insight does he provide?”

“He has no clue why she’s like that either.”

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