Lag (The boys of RDA #2)(72)

All the memories spur more thoughts of what I have planned for tonight and I lean over and whisper in Simone’s ear. “Tonight we’re going to my place."

She stops her conversation with Aspen and her cheeks turn a slight shade of red. “Okay.”

I lean in again and run my tongue quickly over the edge of her ear. “I still didn’t ask.”

Simone pushes against my chest with one of her small hands, and I lean back but don’t release my grip on her side.

Finn joins our group, and the way he looks at Aspen could provide enough electricity to light the room on its own. He went all out for tonight with his own green button down shirt. It’s good to see him in something other than flannel for a change.

“Did you tell them the good news?” Finn almost bounces with excitement over whatever this news is.

Aspen only laughs back at him, but her eyes light up when they meet his. It’s good to see my best friend with a woman who loves him. They had an interesting start, but I think she plans to stick around for a while.

“No, I haven’t yet. I waited for you.”

“Well you have to tell us now.” Simone leans toward the pair waiting for the news.

Finn grabs Aspen’s hand and pulls her in front of him so he’s standing behind her. “Aspen agreed to move in with me.” His hands wrap around her from behind and rest on her sides, and I’m a little envious the bastard thought of the move. It’s one I’m going to steal very soon.

“I did.” She looks to Simone quickly. “But don’t say anything yet. I’m going to surprise Marissa at brunch and give her my apartment.”

She leans away from Finn and Simone tugs on me enough I finally let her go while the two girls giggle and talk off to the side about how excited Marissa will be.

“I think she’s more excited about Marissa getting her old apartment than she is about moving in with me.” Finn watches them as well.

“She’s been living with you for months. You just got her to admit it, and frankly it took you two long enough,” I joke about how he's been slowly moving more and more of her clothes into his apartment. None of us are sure if Aspen’s clueless to it all or just hasn’t commented on it yet.

“Yes, but now it’s permanent. We were beta testing before, and this is the official launch.”

I laugh at his horrible use of gaming technology. “Don’t let Aspen hear you describe it that way or you won’t be getting laid tonight." I slap him on the arm. “I’m happy for you, Finn. It’s good to see you with Aspen."

His head turns to her as she and Simone are still talking like two best friends. Another thing I owe Aspen my respect for. She brought Simone into this group and accepted her as one of their own. Without that, Simone would probably be back home with her dad right now rather than with me, even if she is too far from me at the moment. I never would’ve gotten my shit together in time if it wasn't for Aspen’s intervention.

“When do you and Simone leave?” Finn’s question pulls me back from my thoughts.

“Monday. Simone wanted to get to Buffalo a few days before the holiday.” As much as I’m not excited to visit frozen upstate New York, this is Simone's first Christmas without her mother and she wants to be close to family. The thick winter coat and gloves I bought so I don’t lose fingers to hypothermia was a small price to pay to help her get home. I’d never turn her down, snow or not.

Of course since she mentioned wanting to stay almost two full weeks, I’ve been preoccupied. I offered to put us in a hotel, but she worried her dad wouldn’t agree. I’ve spent most of my free time devising ways to help her stay quiet. It’s one thing if he suspects I’m nailing his daughter in his house — quite another if he has proof. And Simone isn't a quiet woman when she gets going. It does my ego good, but not enough I want to risk being shot.

My eyes drift to Simone and I bristle a little at her and Aspen moving farther away from us. She reminds me of my mother when she sees an old friend at the grocery store. They see each other all the time. What do they still need to be talking about? And why hasn’t Simone carried her little round ass back to my side by now? Is it possible she doesn't feel the need to be next to me all the time like I want her to be? With a snort I forget that unbelievable thought. I’ve seen the way those deep blue eyes look at me when she thinks I won’t notice. She's in love. I just have to get her to admit it.

I rip my eyes from Simone’s ass as she leans forward and exposes more of her milky white thighs. I have to clear my throat to cover up the moan. “When are you taking Aspen up north?”

“Christmas eve. Aspen wanted to spend the day with her brother and the baby, but let them celebrate Christmas as a family.”

Finn’s rented a cabin in some northern resort town for a long weekend getaway. He talked some shit about a white Christmas and playing in the snow as if he’s missed the fact his girlfriend wears a winter coat everywhere when the temperature drops below fifty. I think it's an excuse to get her alone for a few days.

“When are you moving her in then?”

He laughs at my question. “Well, most of her stuff is already at my place, but we’ll bring over the rest of it when we get back. She wants Marissa to move in right after the new year.”

Grant walks up behind Finn and slaps him on the back. He walks to his side and creates our own little circle. “Did you hear the news?”