“Effort,” Jasper said. “Seeing each other when we get back. Talking about it. Not disappearing.”
Bennett’s instinct was to negotiate. To minimize. To optimize.
Instead, he took a breath.
“I can do effort,” Bennett said. “I can do honesty. I cannot promise I will be fast.”
Jasper stepped closer. “I’m in no hurry.”
Bennett searched his face. “You are sure.”
“Yes,” Jasper said. “As long as you’re actually moving forward.”
Bennett nodded once. “I am.”
Jasper smiled, real and unguarded. “Then I am in.”
Bennett reached out and took Jasper’s hand. The gesture was deliberate, steady.
“I don’t know what this makes me,” Bennett said quietly.
Jasper squeezed his fingers. “It makes you someone trying.”
Bennett’s shoulders eased, like that was permission.
His phone buzzed again. He glanced at it, then looked back at Jasper.
“Flights are reopening,” Bennett said. “We might be able to leave tonight.”
Jasper felt the familiar pull of endings. He pushed past it.
“Okay,” he said. “Then we do this like adults.”
Bennett’s lips curved. “We already are.”
Jasper laughed. “Debatable.”
They packed in companionable silence. Not rushed. Not hesitant. Just aware that something had shifted and would not unshift just because the weather improved.
At the airport later,the noise and movement felt jarring after days of quiet. Jasper stood beside Bennett in line, close enough that their arms brushed.
Bennett didn’t move away.
When it was time to part, Bennett hesitated, then spoke quietly. “Dinner. When we get back. Tomorrow.”
Jasper’s smile was immediate. “Tomorrow works.”
Bennett nodded, satisfied. “Good.”
They didn’t kiss. They didn’t need to.
As Jasper watched Bennett walk away toward his gate, he felt steady.
This wasn’t a secret. This wasn’t an accident.
This was the beginning.
CHAPTER NINE
