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“If she wants to stay at her place she can,” Leo said.
Turning in her seat, Caitlin glared at Leo. “I stayed at home for the last three nights,” she said, through gritted teeth.
“I know. It’s fine if you want to do that. Whatever you want.”
She punched him on the arm hard enough to make everyone around the table flinch.
“What was that for?” Leo rubbed his bicep, looking pathetic.
“I’ve been staying at home so that you might miss me enough to finally ask me to move in.”
Hugh caught Damian’s eye and they exchanged an amused look.
“You want to move in?” Leo asked.
She shook her head. “Ah, forget it.”
Leo turned to look her square on. “I want you to move in.”
“Then why the heck do you always seem so happy about me staying at my own place?”
“I don’t … I mean, I’m not. I thought maybe you needed a break from Alice sometimes.”
“Alice?” Caitlin looked as though steam might start rising from her soon. “If I need a break from anyone it’s you telling me it’s a good thing I still have my own place.”
Leo closed his eyes briefly. “I really want you to move in,” he said.
“Well you would say that now.” Caitlin glanced around the table. “Sorry,” she said to no one in particular. “I didn’t mean to share our relationship problems with you all.”
Hugh wasn’t keen to involve himself into other people’s issues but also felt someone should help Leo out. “He’s been saying for ages he wants you to move in,” he told Caitlin.
“Really?” Caitlin looked to Leo.
“Yes. I swear. I just didn’t want you to feel pressured.”
Caitlin raised a sceptical eyebrow.
“It’s true,” Damian said. “He’s been saying this to us for a while.”
“Please will you move in with me?” Leo said, then scooped Alice up when she toddled over to him. “With us. We really hate it when you stay at your place. We want you with us all the time, don’t we, Alice?” He tickled her and she beamed from ear to ear. “See, she really wants you to move in.”
“Okay, then.” Caitlin took Alice from Leo and gave her a squeeze, then gave Leo a quick kiss.
“Thank goodness for that,” Damian said. “Things were a bit awkward there for a minute.”
“I should have just asked ages ago.” Leo shot a pointed look at Damian. “Instead of overthinking it.”
Damian gave him a dismissive look and took a swig of his beer.
A hand on Hugh’s shoulder made him look up. He half expected it to be Emmy since he hadn’t seen her for a while. Her friends were at the party so she was off with them somewhere.
“Hi,” he said while Allie slid her hand affectionately over his shoulders.
Casually, she took a seat on his left knee. “I’m exhausted,” she said quietly.
“I’m not surprised,” Caitlin said. “Just watching you mingle has worn me out.”
Allie smiled lightly. “I may have broken records for the amount of small talk a person can make in one afternoon.”
