Page 33 of Glass & Groundwork
Jasper laughed. “I’m keeping it, though. I may get another use out of it, you know, balance the scales. It can’t beallgood.”
A laugh popped out of me, helping me shake off the tension from a moment ago. This… this I could do. Keep it light, keep it friendly.
“I’ll be right back. I just need to grab my overnight bag so I can change and then we can get to work. I hope you have plenty of room in your closet, because I did not pack light.”
“I think we’ll manage.” My closet always felt too big and I didn’t have that many clothes, so it had turned into a storage space. Over the past few days, I worked on cleaning out the junk, or moving it to the spare room closet. I knew clothes were important to Jasper and I wanted him to feel like this was his home and not like he was a guest.
When Jasper came back in with a large bag hooked on his shoulder, I had to chuckle at his “overnight bag.” It was probably bigger than any of the duffel bags I had tucked away. Although I never traveled, so I didn’t have a reason to own luggage. Leading him back to the bedroom, I showed him the closet and he let the bag fall to the ground as he stepped inside of it.
“Holy shit! It’s a walk-in closet!”
It wasn’t an entire room, but it had racks in a U-shape and there was enough space inside to stand comfortably between them without being squished. I pointed to the left side, where my clothes took up about two feet of space. “That’s all my stuff, so the rest of it is yours.”
Jasper turned around and leapt toward me. I caught him, wrapping my arms around his waist as he hugged my neck. “Thisis incredible! I was worried I’d have to keep a lot of my things in my apartment and go back and forth.”
I laughed, reveling in his joy, before setting his feet back down. “I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it. I’m already picturing what’s going to go where. I may need to get a shelf for shoes, but other than that, this is great. You’re sure you don’t need more space?”
I shook my head. “Nope. That’s everything I own that isn’t in a drawer.”
Jasper smirked. “Oh, you sweet farmboy. I’m going to take you shopping some time.”
“It’s really not necessary.”
Jasper waved his hand while walking around the closet, and looked over his shoulder. “It’srarelynecessary, but that doesn’t mean it’s not nice to get new things. Or old things. I’mnottaking you to a department store,puke. We’ll hit up some thrift and vintage shops, get you something fun.”
“I have fun things.” I held out the tie I was still wearing. While it was in my hand, I decided I might as well take it off, since we were planning to get changed anyway.
“Here, allow me. And yes, you have fun things. I think, if anything, your wardrobe could usemorebees.” Jasper came over and loosened the knot, sliding it off my neck, in a move that felt sweet and a little intimate. Even if I still had his tie from last week in my pocket. It was ridiculous, a silly attachment, but I liked having it with me.
When his fingers went to the button on my collar, they brushed against my throat, I held my breath, and tried to focus on what he’d been saying. “More bees, sure, yeah.”
I wasn’t sure how far he was going to take it, but he stopped at just the top-most button, letting me breathe once more. Relief filled me when Jasper winked at me and grabbed his bag, pullingshorts and a t-shirt out. Okay. Comfortable clothes, that would make it so much easier to think.
Soon, we were changed and brought all of his stuff in. Suitcases filled my room. Seeing his stuff in my room made my heart do weird things.Ourroom. I liked it, it made the space feel less empty.
Jasper put his hands on his hips and surveyed the room. “All right. Now that that’s done. What should we do?”
“Frankie left us food. We could eat and maybe watch a movie or something.”
Jasper beamed. “You know what? That sounds perfect. Happy wedding night, Gio.”
A smile pulled at my lips. It was still strange, but I appreciated the low-no pressure of a casual evening. “Happy wedding night.”
He leaned up and gave me a quick peck on my lips, before walking out of the bedroom. It was probably the firstfriendlykiss we’d shared, because that was what it felt like, without any expectations of more. An exchange between friends, not the ones that were wrapped up with emotion and want from earlier. I think I could get used to that.
Jasper
Married. Actually fucking married. Every now and then I would look at my hand with the band on my finger. I could have taken it off at any time, I was sure Gio wouldn’t have minded, but I was growing used to seeing it there. Every time I looked at it, it reminded me that this was real. Sort of. Kind of. Not really. But official. Now I just had to wait to receive the marriage certificate so I had something to take to the bank. We put a rush on it, but they said it could take up to two weeks to get it.
In the meantime, I checked in with the contractor to see their progress. Grove Hills Construction was coming to the end of the deposit I’d given them. This was the moment that set this whole thing in motion.
George had shown up today to oversee the team that was working on the barn, so I went out to talk to him. Each time I stepped into the barn, I felt a rush of exhilaration. Visible changes helped me see it take shape and my shop felt closer than ever. Especially now that I knew my access to my trust would be coming in just over a week, if all went right.
“It’s looking great in here,” I said, as I shook George’s hand.
“Thanks. I think it’s coming along really well. I’m glad you’re here, though. We have a few things to discuss.”
