There is a playpen set up beside the bed, and it looks like my makeup and toothbrush are sitting on the nightstand. I can’t believe he thought to grab them from my bathroom.
“Did you leave anything behind?” I ask jokingly, though also somewhat serious, because this makes the move feel permanent and that can’t be what he has in mind. Right? I mean, no. Of course, this is temporary. A few weeks. Maybe a couple of months at most.
He rubs the back of his neck, his expression sheepish. “I mean, I didn’t bring the bed. Or the crib. But we can go back for it if you’d like.”
“No. This is fine. Great actually.” The play pen is new. I definitely didn’t have that before, though Luis is fine to sleep beside me if need be. Half the time he winds up in my bed anyway.
I set Luis down and place a hand on Jae’s forearm. “You didn’t need to go through all this trouble. I’ll figure something out soon. I promise.” Maybe I’ll get lucky and can wait out Miguel’s trial, though from the sounds of it, that could take months, and I don’t have months.
“Don’t.” He sighs. “I mean, you don’t need to, and it wasn’t any trouble. Living by yourself is overrated. I have this whole place to myself. It could use some life in it, don’t you think?”
“Are you sure? Because if you’re not—”
“I want you here. You and Luis.” His eyes implore me to stay, and without an alternative, I relent.
“Okay. Thank you. I promise we won’t get in your way.”
He chuckles. “I want you two in my way. That’s the entire point of moving you in here so get comfortable. Leave Luis’s toys all over the house and help yourself to whatever you need.”
I can’t help my smile. “You know you’re a pretty great guy, right?”
The corner of his mouth lifts into a smile. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. You’re going to make some girl insanely happy one day.”
His smile dips and he licks his lips, a nervous gesture. “That isn’t you though, is it?”
I open my mouth. Close it. Swallow and take a deep breath. “I think Emilio and I are…” I trail off. I’m not sure what we are, but it’s something, and I don’t want Jae getting the wrong idea. Because even if Emilio weren’t in the picture, I just don’t feel those sparks with him. It isn’t in the cards for Jae and I.
He forces a laugh. “No worries. I get it.” He swoops Luis into his arms and rubs his nose against his, giving him an Eskimo kiss. “I hope he knows how lucky he is. And I hope you know if he screws up, I’m available.” He winks.
I can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of my chest. “Stop. You are not going to be anyone’s second choice.”
He steps closer and places a chaste kiss along my temple. “I’d be your second choice in a heartbeat if you’d have me.”
My breath hitches.
“But I won’t push. I value our friendship too much and I want you comfortable while you’re here. Why don’t you unpack while Luis and I grab a snack?”
“I really do appreciate—”
He shakes his head. “Enough with all that. You and me, we’re good. I don’t mind being friend-zoned as long as that friendship weathers any storms that might come up. Okay? I know you and Luis’s dad are together.”
I scowl.
“Or maybe not together?” he corrects.
“I have no clue, to be honest.”
“Yeah, guys are stupid at his age.” He shrugs. “But you’re something, or you’re working out what you are to each other at least, and I respect that. Just don’t let him shove me out of your life, okay? I remember being eighteen and an idiot too.”
“You’re not that much older,” I remind him.
He smirks. “Old enough to grow out of my idiot phase.”
I roll my eyes.
“He’s going to be jealous. Possessive too. Can’t say I blame him but“—he hesitates, and I can see that this is really important to him—“hang on to the people you want in your life.”
