Oliver had almost forgotten about it. “That’d be great, thanks.” He stood, pulling down his T-shirt where it’d ridden up, smirking when he caught Ed watching. “I can help you next weekend too if you want?”
“You sure you’ve not got plans?” He cast Oliver a dubious look.
“Nope.” Oliver shoved his hands into his pockets, a little embarrassed at how much he’d enjoyed helping Ed out. Working with his hands was satisfying, made him feel like he’d made the most of his day. “I’m seeing my mates on Friday night, so my weekend is free.” He smiled and started towards the patio doors. “Do you want me Saturday or Sunday? To help?” he added when Ed gave him a blank look.
“Oh, Saturday would be great.”
“Elevenish?”
Ed smiled. “Yeah, perfect.” He could make a start before Oliver got there, get things prepared this time.
“Right. See you then.”
ROB CORNERED him in the kitchen after lunch. Oliver had been waiting for it ever since he and Betty arrived, so he wasn’t the least bit surprised when Rob finished washing up and turned to lean on the sink, facing him. “So...” He crossed his arms. “You and Ed Middleton?”
Oliver took his time drying the plate he was holding, waiting until he put it in the cupboard before answering. “What about us?”
“Anything you want to tell me?”
That made him laugh and he shook his head. “No.”
“Because there’s nothing to tell, or...?” He peered at Oliver, searching his face, as though he could pluck the answer from him if he stared hard enough.
Oliver grinned, unable to help himself. “I’ve already told you. There’s nothing going on, okay. I’m just being friendly.”
“Hmm.” Rob looked totally unconvinced. “I don’t see you offering to help out any of your other neighbours dressed in your arse-revealing jeans and a T-shirt you had when you were eight.”
Rolling his eyes, Oliver flicked him with the end of the tea towel. “I’ll have you know I painted Mrs Johnson’s fence in the summer and fixed the guttering for Fred who lives two doors down.” He had some weird last name that Oliver always forgot without fail. “And they weren’t even my neighbours then.”
Rob smirked. “Dressed like you were this morning?”
“Fine.” Oliver huffed and resumed drying the dinner pots. “I wore my ripped jeans so Ed would stare at my arse.”
Loud laughter filled the kitchen. “Knew it.” Rob nudged his foot. “Did it work?”
“Yep.” Warmth crept outwards from his belly, tingling up his spine until Oliver felt it heat his cheeks, flashes of Ed’s admiring glances filling his head. “It was nice.”
“Nice.”
And okay, the flat look Rob levelled at him was warranted. Oliver shrugged. “He’s an attractive man. I’m allowed to have a little fun.”
“And I never said you weren’t.” Rob nudged him again. “I’m just messing with you.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“And you’re right. He is hot.” Rob glanced at the kitchen doorway as footsteps sounded on the stairs, eyes twinkling with amusement. “If I didn’t have Naomi, I’d be offering to help him myself.” His grin widened as Naomi appeared, their two cats circling her legs and almost tripping her up.
“Is that the guy we passed this morning?” She stopped to scoop one of them up and tickle it under the chin. When Rob replied with a “Yep,” she flashed him a wicked grin and lowered her voice. “Don’t let that stop you. Maybe he’d be interested in a threesome.”
“Oh my God,” Oliver hissed. “You’re as bad as each other.” He set his tea towel on the sink.
“Like you’ve not thought about it,” Naomi shot back.
Of course he’d thought about it. He was selective these days, not dead. “He’s Betty’s neighbour. Elise’s nephew. And he’s only there until they sell the place.”
“I’m not seeing the problem?” Naomi nuzzled the cat in her arms, gaze fixed on Oliver. She glanced at Rob. “Are you?”
“Nope.” Rob shook his head. “Sounds perfect actually.”
