It wasn’t like Joel had meant to eavesdrop during breakfast. He couldn’t help that your friends spoke so loudly even when you shushed them. And he definitely hadn’t perked up at the mention of “your man.”

Multiple thoughts crashed over him at the title given to some mysterious man. Who was he? Were you actually dating someone? How had he not heard of this?

Not that Joel expected you to tell him, but he had expected it to reach him through the grapevine — that being Ellie. His eyes flicked up to spot you sitting at your table. Joel survived another minute of your friends fawning about the mystery guy before he abruptly stood up, abandoning his bowl of oatmeal.

He stormed over to your table, glaring over at your friends before glancing at you. “We have patrol this mornin’.” Joel nodded as you got up and left with you, holding the door open. “Who was that guy your friends were talkin’ about?”