Aria grins. “Excellent.”
We stay for a couple more drinks and some amazing and free sausage rolls. After saying goodbye, we walk hand in hand towards the bus station.
“I think that went well,” Kian says. “Aside from Aria threatening you.”
“She cares about you. That was more nerve-racking than telling your parents about us.”
“That’s Aria for you. Fierce and loyal.” He squeezes my hand. “Thanks for coming tonight. It meant a lot to me.”
I kiss his cheek. “It was fun. Is there anyone else I need to meet?”
“Nah, I don’t think so.”
“I should probably tell my friends we’re together. At least they all already know you via Rufus.”
“That’s true. Hopefully, I won’t get death threats.” He swings my arm. “We can save that for another day. Whenever you’re ready.”
I rest my head on his shoulder and release a happy sigh. “Another day sounds great.”
Chapter24
Kian
Jett and I arrive at the holiday house late on Friday. On the three-hour drive, we talked, laughed, and introduced each other to our favourite songs. Our music tastes are close enough that it was a pleasure to listen to each other’s choices but different enough that I now have at least a dozen new songs on my playlist. Songs that will make me think of Jett. Songs that will make me smile. Okay, this love thing—I’ve got it bad.
Rufus’s car is already parked outside. We go to get our bags from the boot. Before I can lift mine out, Jett pulls me into his arms and gives me a tummy-fluttering, toe-curling kiss. It steals my breath, but I don’t care because the way his lips are massaging mine is divine.
“Wow,” I whisper as the kiss ends.
He rubs the tip of his nose against mine. He makes a noise as if he’s about to say something, but instead, he kisses me again with even more passion. My eyes drift shut, and I’m tempted to ask him to take me right here, right now, against the car. But we’re not here alone this time, so I twist my fingers into his T-shirt and press into the kiss.
“Get a room,” Rufus calls.
We break apart and, panting, turn to face the house. Rufus is standing with Halle on the porch. She’s dressed in what I can only describe as adventurer chic—tiny khaki shorts, a vest top with an unbuttoned khaki shirt over the top, which has been tied at her waist, and big clumpy boots that look like they’ve never seen mud.
“Come on inside.” Rufus beckons. “We cooked dinner while we were waiting for you.”
Uh-oh, what has he made? He’s not exactly known for his cooking prowess. Jett and I grab our bags and follow Rufus and Halle inside. The unmistakable scent of pizza hits me, and my stomach rumbles.
“These are takeaway pizzas,” I say. The boxes stacked on the kitchen worktop are a dead giveaway.
“Yes, but we had to warm them up,” Rufus says. “That counts as cooking.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
We sit at the table and scoop up a slice of pizza each.
“This place is amazing,” Halle says.
“Rufus has given you the grand tour, then?” I ask.
“How long has your granddad owned it?”
Rufus and I glance at each other. I shrug.
“As long as I can remember,” Rufus replies. “I think he and Gran had some kind of windfall. This place was run down as hell when they bought it, but they did it up together, and we’ve used it as a holiday home ever since.”
“We used to spend most of the summer holidays here when we were kids,” I recall.
