“They know you live in a loft apartment opposite the O2 Arena?”
I laughed. “Yes.”
“And they still think you’re wasting your time on YouTube?”
“Yup.”
“I don’t get it.”
“Nor do I.” I pressed my lips together. It wasn’t the first time I’d tried to work out what stopped my parents from apologising. “I guess it’s pride or something. It’s easier for parents to be right than wrong. Maybe they’re still angry at me for walking out the way I did. All my life, I listened to them and did as I was told, and then one day, I didn’t. I had a dream and was damned if I would let them stop me from following it. I had to try and possibly fail, or I’d have spent the rest of my life wondering ‘what if’.” I shook myself. “Enough about them. What else would you miss?”
Jae shook his head. “That’s it. I like the city, don’t get me wrong, but the people make Leeds home.”
“Maybe we could convince Dillon to move to London.”
Jae gasped. “Are you serious?”
“Why not? He hates his new job. Nothing is keeping him there. Why wouldn’t he want to live closer to his best friend and brother?”
“Because it’s expensive down here.”
“I’d help him out.”
Jae gnawed his lower lip. “Would he want you to?”
My stomach sank. “I don’t know.” I scratched my stubble. “Maybe we need to help him discover his passion in life.”
“And hope it’s something he can do in London?”
“Exactly.”
Jae laughed. “I’d love to be close to you both, assuming he doesn’t hate us for getting together.”
I stroked the back of Jae’s hand. “He loves us, Jae. I think—I hope—he’ll be happy for us.”
“There’s only one way to find out.”
“Tell him?”
Jae nodded.
“Now?”
“I don’t know.” He covered his face with his hands. “I don’t want to ruin anything. What if he’s mad? What then? I don’t want to choose between you.”
“I don’t think Dillon would ever make us do that. My brother is a pretty chill guy.”
“I know. I know. But there’s a chance he won’t be cool with us seeing each other.” He dropped his hands onto his lap and laced his fingers together. “I’m sorry. You planned this cute romantic evening, and we’ve got all serious.”
“This is a conversation we need to have.”
“It could have waited.”
“Maybe.” I moved closer to Jae so our shoulders and elbows were touching, and then kissed his cheek. “I’m glad we can talk like this.”
Jae briefly smiled. “Me too.”
“We don’t have to call Dillon tonight. We could stick to our original plan and wait until the end of the month.”
