Chance Encounter - Jerry Cole Page 0,29
made me tear up right along with everyone else. I thought about it with Gray, but we were still sort of new. We just moved in with each other, and I felt like Jackson and Amy needed their moment.
I did buy him a leather cord bracelet for a gift that was still pushed back underneath our tree. I had a matching one that I’d wear once Gray opened his. He surprised me by giving me a sterling silver promise ring, wearing a matching one. We wore them on our right hand for the moment, knowing that it would be something different next time there were rings involved.
We made love before falling asleep with plans to sleep in the following day. We all needed it after so much socializing. It was a lot for Becca and me in particular, and we whispered about that throughout the day.
I felt like I had a family that supported me. They gave me love without judgment. I didn’t hide my choices from my own family, but I was never accepted that way. We never spoke of it. I was happier here, feeling more like myself. It was the same with Becca, and I grinned as she talked and smiled with so many people.
We went to Gram’s for leftovers the day after Christmas, just later in the afternoon. It was just us and slower conversation. Jackson and Amy talked about their wedding, snuggling together as we all smiled at them.
They didn’t want anything too big, just family and close friends. They weren’t sure where it might be, but Jackson wanted Gram there. She was less likely to travel anywhere for a wedding, so they were thinking of her first.
When we went out for beers while the girls were out, Jackson confessed to possibly moving here. He had someone to run things in Florida with a lot of participation on his end. He was willing to travel but being close to Gram was important. Amy also loved spending time with Becca and Mari and didn’t necessarily need to work. That could be up to her if they were to move here.
“When are you thinking?” Gray asked as Jackson shrugged.
“I’d need to sell the condo, or maybe rent it out. I don’t mind staying in a hotel when I visit, but renting it out might be a smart choice. We’d also have to find something here, but renting works in the beginning.” He smiled, reaching for his beer.
“The girls want you in the unit beside them. The guy is moving out soon to retire to Florida,” I said, and Jackson raised a brow.
“They are nice, and being that close to Gram might be a good idea.” He considered the information. “We could buy something later. I’ll talk to Amy about it in the next few days.”
“I’m happy, man. Gram would love it, and we’d love to have you here.” Gray hugged his cousin, making me smile.
We enjoyed some appetizers and another beer since the girls let us know they were just going into the movie theater. It was nice just to hang out with the guys, knowing that the girls got along so well together.
Jackson took a look at our apartment again when we arrived home, deciding what could fit from home. Since our apartments were spacious, he thought he might get most of it here. He could leave some stuff in the condo and rent it for higher, or just sell. He wasn’t attached to any of it and wanted to build a home with Amy.
We took Gram to dinner at a great restaurant in the city since she cooked so much in the last few days. We talked about New Year’s Eve when she told us that she was staying the night at a friend’s house to have brunch in the morning. That led us to plan something small in the building with a few close friends, introducing Jackson and Amy to them. We knew the other tenant was gone securing his new home in Florida.
Invites were sent out to the small group, and we started shopping for liquor and food. The girls wanted to practice their skills and make some appetizers and desserts in addition to buying already made things. We weren’t going to go overboard, but they had so much fun cooking over the holidays. We decided to open up both apartments for the party and have drinks and food in each one.
The days passed with sightseeing and time spent with family. It was