“You sure?” Oliver paused, looking from his car to Ed’s, uncertain.
Ed smiled. “I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t.” He twirled his keys around his finger. “Working from home, I don’t get the opportunity to drive much anymore.”
When he put it like that... “Okay, thanks.” Glancing over his shoulder, he spied Betty at the living room window. She smiled when she saw him looking and gave him a thumbs up. Oliver half groaned, half laughed, and after giving her a wave in return, followed Ed to his car.
CHAPTER NINE
Aiden was waiting for them on his front steps when they got there, rubbing his hands against the cold.
Ed got out of the car, frowning as he walked over to him. “Why are you standing out here? It’s freezing.”
“You’re not kidding.” He blew on his hands, then shoved them in his pockets. Nodding at the van on the drive, he added, “Had to get a few bits out of the back, then saw you pulling onto the street.” His gaze swung to Oliver, walking over to join them, smile widening. “All right, mate?”
Oliver grinned at him, and Ed felt the tickling sensation of jealousy stir in his chest, which was ridiculous for so many reasons. “Yeah, not bad. Thanks for lending your van. I might’ve struggled getting a tree home with my car.”
Ed snorted. “Struggled?”
“Fine.” Oliver rolled his eyes. “It would’ve been a lot smaller tree than Betty’s expecting.” He motioned to the front of Aiden’s house where Christmas lights hung, accompanied by a beautiful wreath on the door. “You’re all set then?”
“Yep.” Aiden followed his gaze. “Put the tree up last Sunday. If we’re going to pay for a real tree, I like to get my money’s worth out of it.”
“Fair enough.”
Aiden turned to Ed. “You got yours up yet? Or are you getting it today with Oliver?”
Ed shrugged. “Actually, I don’t think I’ll bother this year.”
Eyes widening slightly, Aiden tilted his head as though studying him. Ed fully expected twenty questions about why he wasn’t getting one and a list of reasons why he should, but Aiden just nodded his head. “Okay.”
His easy acceptance threw him, and Ed found himself explaining anyway. “You know, because the place isn’t really mine and I’m not all that sure that any prospective buyers are going to want to see my Christmas decorations strewn about.”
“Well, not the way you do them, no.” Sarah grinned at him as he looked up, closing Aiden’s front door behind her.
“What the hell are you doing here?” He hugged her tight when she reached them, pulling her in for a kiss.
“Ian came over to help Aiden and Cam again. I dropped him off.”
“And stayed?” Ed looked around but didn’t see her car.
“They took it to go get supplies from Wickes,” she said, catching him looking. “I parked behind the van.”
Ed sensed there was something else going on, and he raised an eyebrow.
Sarah’s smile was a mix of smug and excited. “I stayed because Aiden mentioned you were going to pick up Christmas trees.”
“Tree, singular,” Ed corrected, shooting a glare at Aiden who grinned back with a shrug.
“But Aiden said...” Her brows drew together, and she seemed to suddenly notice Oliver stood next to Ed. “Oh God, I’m sorry for being so rude.” Holding out her hand, she offered him a huge smile. “You must be Oliver?” With a sly look at Ed, she whispered. “You’re giving Ed a hand at the bungalow, right?”
Oliver’s eyes narrowed for a second before he smiled back at her and shook her hand. “Yeah. Well, I was supposed to be, but looks like he’s giving me a hand now.”
Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Oh, mutual handj—”
“Right!” Ed started towards Aiden’s van. “Shall we go?”
Laughter sounded behind him, but he didn’t stop to acknowledge it.
I am going to kill her.
