just about to suggest we go back to the main house when Cole fixed me with a pointed look. “What?”
“Anything you want to tell me?” He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest.
I shifted from foot to foot. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Really.”
I knew exactly what he was getting at. Christian had finally moved out three weeks ago after delays and then weeks of going back and forth with the builders over the snag list that was far bigger than you’d expect for a new build.
Me, Cole, and Jasper had all helped him move in, and I’d caught Jasper’s wistful expression more than once as he moved things out of the room that used to be his.
“I don’t know.” I scrubbed a hand through my hair. “Christian’s only just left. Maybe I should give it a month or two.”
“For what, exactly?”
“Um . . .” He had me there. Jasper had moved back in with his dad, which had worked out surprisingly well. Their relationship had improved tenfold and I couldn’t be happier for him. It was the best thing to happen to them.
And us.
As much as I missed having Jasper in my house 24/7, we’d needed our space at times, and our relationship had flourished because of it. Yes, it sucked not waking up with him every day, but were we ready for such a big step?
“Earth to Finn?” Cole poked me in the arm.
“Sorry.” I shook my head. “What did you say?”
Cole gave me a fond smile. “What are you worried about?”
I thought about deflecting the question, but I needed to talk to someone, and maybe Cole was the perfect person. “That it’s too soon, and we’ll ruin what we’ve got.”
Instead of telling me I was an idiot like I’d expected him to, he nodded. “I think that’s a fair point. You’ve only been together, what? About six months?”
I nodded. “More or less.”
“It’s not long in the scheme of things.”
I wanted to argue because when we were together, it felt like we’d been that way for years, not months. A smile tugged at his lips, him obviously reading me like a book. “Oh, shut up.”
He nudged me with his shoulder. “I know you’re worried, Finn, and I understand why. But from an outsider’s point of view, can I just say that you two are great together. I’m not saying you’re perfect and don’t argue.” He laughed, and I had to grin, because yeah, we’d had a few minor disagreements. “But you always talk things out together. There’s no sulking or pettiness, and I think that’s the sign of a good relationship.”
I smiled, looking down at my feet as I felt my cheeks heat. Yeah, if I let myself admit it, we were pretty fucking good together. “I should probably talk to him, right?”
“Yep, you probably should.”
Talk of the devil.
The front door opened as if we’d summoned him, and Jasper popped his head around it, smiling brightly. “Hey, all right to come in?”
Cole rolled his eyes. “Of course. Since when do you have to ask?”
Jasper shrugged. “Thought I’d better get used to it if you’re going to be having guests soon.”
“Fuck off,” Cole grumbled good-naturedly and I laughed.
Jasper’s gaze swung to me and he gave me a wink that went straight to my groin. Pretty much the effect he always had on me. “Your mum said dinner’ll be ready in a sec and I should round you both up.” He came and stood next to me, shoulder brushing mine, and something inside me relaxed like it always did. As though it’d been waiting for him.
“Thank god.” Cole rubbed his stomach. “I’m starving.”
He led the way back to my mum and dad’s, making a show of locking his door. It made me smile. I was happy he had his own space and that my mum got to keep him close by for another couple of years. He was her baby, and I knew she wasn’t quite ready to let him go just yet.
“Oh, Jasper, honey,” my mum said as soon as we got inside and kicked our shoes off. “Can you go get Jerry for me? He’s annoying the boys in the utility.”
Jasper grinned and immediately marched after her, through to the kitchen to carry out her orders, while I glanced at Cole. “Jerry?” Who the fuck was Jerry?
Cole’s pointed look told me everything I needed to know. “Really? Another one?”
“Yep.” His lips quirked up into a grin. “Bets have already been placed.”
“You can all fuck off