Just how well did they know one another?
“Okay,” Oliver said, glancing at Ed. “I think that’s my cue to leave.” He nodded at Aiden as he passed, then looked back over his shoulder. “Oh, Betty asked me to tell that you should feel free to drop in for tea or coffee whenever you like. She’d love to get to know you better.” With that, he rounded the corner, and Ed heard the back door open and close.
Only when Aiden cleared his throat did Ed realise he’d been staring after him. Ed’s gaze snapped to Aiden’s to find him regarding him with a look that had Ed rolling his eyes. “Don’t even.”
Aiden’s laughter followed him as he turned on his heel and headed back into the spare bedroom.
“You didn’t waste any time getting to know your hot neighbour.” His voice sounded close, and Ed wasn’t at all surprised to see him in the doorway when he turned around.
“He’s only twenty-eight.” Ed stood, hands on hips, eyeing the parts of the bed frame and inwardly groaning. He really couldn’t be arsed with putting it all together. “Bit too young for me.”
Aiden hummed in surprise. “Older than he looks.” Walking over to stand next to Ed, he gestured at the bed parts on the floor. Want a hand?”
Yes. Desperately.
“Haven’t you got work to do?”
“Finished earlier than I expected. Came over to see if you still needed any help.” His gaze slid next door to Betty’s house. “If I’d known you already had company, I’d have left you to it.” His smirk had Ed wanting to roll his eyes again, but he stopped himself. They constantly teased each other like this; gentle ribbing was their standard way of communicating most days. Why did his words get under Ed’s skin this time?
“He offered to help me move my stuff, that’s all.”
“That’s generous of him, considering you nearly got him arrested.” Aiden held his hands up in surrender at Ed’s glare. “Sorry, sorry. He’s a nice bloke, I’m not surprised he offered.”
Ed sighed, attempting to relax and let go of whatever this stupid tension was. “He is. And I apologised, so hopefully we can forget all that business and start again.” Picking up the headboard, he managed a smile. “And yes, I’d really appreciate your help right now.”
“No problem. Let me nip and get my tools.” As he got to the door, he paused, a smile curving his lips. “Ten years is nothing, you know that, right?”
“Go.” Ed groaned, suddenly regretting accepting Aiden’s help, eyebrows drawn together as he watched his friend head towards the back door. He didn’t need to be having any sort of thoughts about Oliver. For so many reasons. But now Aiden had gone and brought it up, made him think about it, and he felt his mind being drawn down that path, imagining all sorts of things if he’d let it.
Thanks for that.
Grumbling to himself, he turned back to the bits of bed, resolutely not thinking of dark hair and green-blue eyes.
A few more months and he’d be gone.
No point getting attached to anything or anyone in the meantime.
CHAPTER FOUR
Oliver pulled onto Betty’s drive with a sigh. The week seemed to have lasted an age already, but thankfully it was Friday tomorrow. Letting his head fall back against the seat, he closed his eyes a moment before getting out of the car.
The sight of Betty chatting to Ed from next door made his steps falter, and he almost tripped.
A surprise, to be sure, but not an unwelcome one.
Oliver was a big believer in second chances, and even though his first introduction to Ed hadn’t been the best, the subsequent apology and day spent together had more than made up for it. His smile came easily, the strains of work draining away as he walked up the drive towards the front door.
“Oliver.” Betty beamed at him, immediately pulling him in for a kiss and a hug when he got near, like she hadn’t seen him just that morning. “I was just talking about you.”
Judging from the flush creeping up Ed’s neck, it wasn’t a conversation he wanted to join in. He shot Ed a wink, silently pleased at the way his eyes widened. “Don’t believe a word she says.” He put his arm around Betty as she tutted at him.
“I just put the kettle on. Why don’t you come in for a cup of tea, Ed?”
“Um...” Ed bit his bottom lip, eyes flicking between Betty and Oliver.
Does he think he’s unwelcome?
Oliver might be knackered from work, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t up for a bit of neighbourly conversation. Especially when the neighbour was so easy on the eye. “I made a chocolate cake yesterday, if that’s enough to tempt you?”
