Ed scowled at her.
“Ahh, that’s more like it!” She dodged out of his way as he went to tickle her, laughing as she followed Aiden and Ed inside with Ed’s tree.
“Just leave it here until I can get the base and stuff out of storage.” They propped it up against the newly painted hall walls, making Ed wince a little, then went back out to help Oliver with his.
Betty was waiting for them at her front door, face alight with excitement. “I’ve got the stand all ready in front of the bay window.”
With Oliver taking the heavy end this time, he and Ed carried it inside and set it in the stand. Ed held it straight while Oliver tightened the screws, getting it level as per Betty’s instructions. He grinned up at Ed as she kept changing her mind, blue-green eyes laughing, and Ed’s stomach fluttered for the second time that morning.
Shit.
“We can finish painting tomorrow,” Ed offered. Not really in the mood for decorating anymore, and he had food to prepare for later.
Oliver stood, brushing off bits of pine needles from his jeans. “You sure?”
“Yeah.” He smiled to show he meant it. “You’ve got a tree to decorate.”
Ed quietly left them to it once the tree was straight.
Aiden and Sarah were waiting by the van when he got outside.
“Where’s Oliver?” Sarah asked, looking over his shoulder.
“Inside with Betty.” He came to a stop in front of them, hands in his pockets.
“Everything okay?” She reached up and gripped his shoulder, giving it a quick squeeze before letting go.
Ed nodded. “Yeah. Just... um...” He scratched the back of his head. “Hungry, I guess.”
“Hungry.” Sarah’s pointed look back at Betty’s bungalow didn’t go unnoticed. “Mhmm.”
“Talking of food,” he said, ignoring his sister. “You still coming round for dinner tonight, Aiden?”
“Dinner?” Sarah asked, looking between them.
Aiden grinned at her sudden interest. “Yeah, me and Cam’ll be round about eight. That okay?”
“Perfect.” He purposefully ignored Sarah still until she let out a huff, and he caved. “Of course you can come too.” Her little mew of delight made him chuckle. “Call Ruth, see if she fancies it.”
“Thank you. It’ll just be me though. Ruth’s out with the girls tonight, mum’s babysitting.” Turning to Aiden, she said, “Come on, let’s get my tree home. I need to sort a few things out before tonight.”
Ed hated to think what she could be up to now.
They got in the van, but before Aiden drove off, Sarah wound down the window, leant out, and said, “You should invite Oliver tonight.” She waved, then ducked back in, and Aiden drove off.
Her words lingered though, and he pulled out his phone and scrolled to the new contact he’d added that morning.
Ed: Hey, it’s Ed. Aiden, Sarah, and their respective other halves are coming for dinner tonight. Fancy joining us?He pressed Send before he could second guess himself and went inside.
Then sat looking at his phone.
It couldn’t have been more than a minute or two before it chimed with an incoming text.
Oliver:I’d love to.
CHAPTER TEN
Oliver set his phone down on the kitchen table, smile stretching so wide his cheeks began to hurt.
