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Elijah watched the contemplation pass over Mckennaâs features. He was so incredibly easy to read. While Elijah couldnât be sure of what his purpose was for being at the Mayorâs Office that day, he would soon learn. But, that could all come in time. He was due for an afternoon off. Honestly, spending time would Mckenna would be a breath of fresh air - to be with someone who had no ulterior motives. No hidden strings to pull.Â
Elijah grinned and threw his arm around the otherâs shoulders. âGood choice. Thereâs a deli around the corner with an incredible Reuben.â As they walked toward the deli, he dropped his arm and walked with his hands in his pockets. The small smile on his lips was still there, even as he turned to look over at Mckenna.
âWhile the Lodgeâs opening weekend was a blowout, no sweat on missing it. Thatâs just one extra reason to waste a Saturday and take you up there. Have you been skiing before?â As fall turned to winter, the blanket of snow on the mountainside was growing by the day. Pretty soon, the routes would be perfectly packed for a winter of pastime. Not to mention, Elijah was pretty damn good at skiing - something he hoped that Mckenna had never done. Though, the kid was a natural and would pick it up soon. But it was yet another competition to be had.
To Elijah, it was natural and normal to compete so heartily against your friends. It was the best kind of friendship. He was sure Mckenna viewed it similarly.
--
The unease that had come over him loosened its grip with each step he took away from his obligations. He could admit that it felt kind of nice to do what he wanted to do. To catch up with someone he could safely call a friend. It felt... normal, like something a guy was supposed to do in his early twenties instead of developing paranoia about hedges and trashcans.Â
Mckennaâs confidence faltered a beat when Elijah brought up skiing and his knee suddenly reminded him of its status. Itâd been years since his injury, but the tear had been pretty bad when his mother was keen on him getting back onto two feet. With his exercise regimen and the long days at work, his knee hadnât been given much time to rest which meant he needed to refill his prescription more than heâd like to.Â
Did he miss playing sports? Not really. But his mother wouldâve had a conniption if he admitted any of that aloud.
âI didnât really get a chance to before I blew out my knee,â he said, feeling satisfied with a delightfully neutral response that neither denied or verified his participation. âIâd love to try it but I canât risk being benched. I signed a six year contract for a TV show and weâre only on season 3.â
Mckenna glanced at Elijah and grinned. âIâd still love to check it out, though. I hear itâs like, super nice up there. State of the art everything.âÂ















