Page 15 of First Class Feelings

He pulls out a small card from his pocket and hands it over.

I look at it and note the information on it. It's not anything special, only an address and a time. On the other side is the same address with a time for tonight. I scrunch my face up, confusion working through me.

"Are you inviting us to a party at your house?"

He shakes his head. "Not my house, but you come to party, okay? Bring your boy."

I open my mouth to speak again, but he slams his book shut, stands up, and runs into the back of the shop. I want to say that I ignore his request, considering the abrupt exit he made, but since he seems familiar enough with the space, I'm tempted to go.

What if this is something else that's a perfect fit for us?

Or what if it's a trap, and we're going to be trafficked across the country?

Considering my brother would lose his shit and come after me if that were to happen, I let some of the worry of it fade. It’s still probably best to think it over and sleep on the idea. I can decide tomorrow.

With full bellies, we make it back to my room. It takes more time because of how slowly we have to go. Foster is very clearly drifting asleep as he stumbles around.

It's adorable.

He's adorable.

"Sweetheart," I say, trying to get his attention.

He frowns at me and shakes his head.

I grin and say, "Little one."

His face smooths out as he nods.

"It's time for bed. We need to get you to sleep. Now, I put your suitcase in the other room, but you’re welcome to join me if you would like. It doesn't mean we have to do anything.” I rush to say it all at once.

Instead of answering me, he lays his head on my shoulder. His body presses against mine, and his thumb moves to his mouth. I chuckle, taking the hint for what it is.

"Okay, okay, little one. You can sleep with DD. Let's go get your pajamas and then we can snuggle up." I ease him on the bed, then leave to get his things.

After opening his suitcase up on the spare bed and pulling out his clothes, I send him into the bathroom to get ready. I leave everything else where it is in case he decides to change his mind in the middle of the night or at any point.

Consent can be taken away if someone changes their mind. It's not a permanent thing. It changes and shifts depending on what's going on.

So I give him space to allow that to happen.

Back in my bedroom, I wait in just a pair of sweats for him to come out. When he does, my heart melts at the adorable pajamas he has on. They're covered in rotary phones, CD players and all types of electronics through the years.

I tug on them, smiling. "I love these. They look good on you."

He blushes, then rushes into the bed and tucks himself under the covers.

I climb on, hovering on my hands and knees as I look down at him. “I think you’ve forgotten something very important.”

He blinks at me, clearly unsure of what I mean. From underneath my pillow, I pull out his teddy from where I had stashed it.

He makes a grabbing motion, and I quickly hand it over. He tucks it into his arm happily. Then his thumb reconnects to his mouth. He sighs, as if all is right in the world.

Once he's all settled, I reach over and turn off the light. It's the most perfect feeling to have him next to me, to know that even though it’s only day one, he’s mine.

When he pulls his thumb out of his mouth a minute later and tilts his head up to mine, I wonder what might happen next.

Instead, he says one word that seals my affection for him in place.

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