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‘You live round the corner, you don’t need a round trip to Hampstead.’ I laugh.
‘It’s not about the trip, Scraps…’ He looks at his shoes. I understand. I don’t want the evening to end either. I flag down a black cab.
‘Come on. I’ll make you an affogato and show you my place.’
‘Ariella Mason, are you coming on to me?’ He feigns shock and offence.
‘Goldsmith, trust me, all you’re getting is dessert. You coming?’
‘You know, dessert is a fairly common colloquialism for—’
‘Forget it.’ I shove his shoulder jokingly.
‘I’m coming!’ He laughs, joining me in the taxi and interlacing his fingers through mine.
As soon as we get in I take off my heels, get some ice cream out of the freezer, flip on the kettle and grab the coffee from the cupboard. Jasper makes his way to our sound system, connects his phone and, soon, Jill Scott and Daley are singing about pain softly through the living room.
‘Is it naff that I made you a playlist?’ he says with a laugh as he joins me in the kitchen.
‘You’ll be asking to see my bedroom next.’ I smirk.
‘I was planning to, but purely out of curiosity.’
‘Come on then.’
I lead Jasper to my room and let him in while I stand in the doorway. Tonight is going well. I don’t want to send any unclear messages.
‘Nice. I see you learned to pick up your clothes after yourself.’
Cheeky boy. ‘You’ll be amazed at my list of achievements when you’re not around.’
Jas picks up the single photo frame on my bedside table, containing a picture of him and me grinning cheesily towards the camera, looking extremely happy.
‘You’ve still got this?’
He puts the photo frame down gently and walks round to sit at the foot of my bed, opposite the doorway.
‘Come, sit with me.’ He pats the bed.
‘No.’ I smile.
‘Why?’
‘The distance helps my resolve and any signals I may be sending unintentionally.’
Jasper walks towards me quietly and my heart starts beating hard. He stops with his face inches away from mine. He’s so beautiful.
‘What signals should I be receiving?’
I can’t breathe. I know he might kiss me, depending on what I say next.
‘That space is a good thing and—’
I don’t get to finish. Jasper gently places his lips on mine. He is slow, but intent. He bites my bottom lip and slowly entwines his tongue with mine. He interlaces my fingers with his, then slips his other hand under my top and up my back. He pulls me so close to him, I can feel his heart thumping too. The longer we kiss, the more I want to pack up my things and go back home. Our home. He gently pulls away and reality comes rushing back. We still have a lot to deal with.
‘Come home, Aari. We can fix it.’
It’s my turn to lean in and kiss him gently, but quickly.
