“No. This is fine. Great, actually.” The playpen is new. I definitely didn’t have that before, though César is fine to sleep beside me if need be. Half the time he winds up in my bed anyway.
I set César 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.”
“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 César.” 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 César’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? For a druid?”
“No, you dork. Not just for a druid. 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 Jordy and I are…” I’m not sure what we are, but it’s something, and I don’t want Jae getting the wrong idea. Because even if Jordy 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 César 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 César 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 he’s Pack. They don’t have the fondest opinions about people like me…druids. But, you two are together. I won’t get in the way of that.”
I scowl.
“Or maybe not together?” he corrects.
“I have no clue, to be honest.”
“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 much older,” I remind him.
He smirks. “Old enough to grow out of my idiot phase. To know that I need to make decisions on my own and not base them on the opinions of my faction.”
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.”
“I will. Promise.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
I spend the next hour unpacking and making sure I have everything I need. I try calling Mom, but she doesn’t answer, so I shoot her a text hoping she’ll see it eventually and respond.
