Page 37 of Cosy & Chill
Leo had been the catalyst Finn had needed to change, and he didn’t mind whether it was Leo’s personality, his golden good looks, or his enthusiasm that were the trigger. He didn’t even mind that his feelings for Leo were not really those of friendship.
He had kissed Leo and Leo had kissed him back. Now he wanted whatever it was that was growing between them to continue.
He opened his laptop and logged into his online store. Without second-guessing himself he set up the notice that closed the shop to custom orders until after the Christmas holidays. He had a stack of completed pieces available for last-minute Christmas presents and the season had already turned a tidy profit for him. He would stop taking custom work now and instead work on their store and on the jumper he’d imagined for Leo when he’d first laid eyes on him.
Notice posted, he grabbed his measuring tape and his needles and tiptoed downstairs where he’d stashed a cone of Iona Aran wool in a rich royal blue. Settling himself into the lavender armchair in his store window, he grabbed the blanket from the back of the sofa and threw it over his knees. The streetlights were bright enough for him to see, and without further hesitation Finn cast on stitches for Leo’s jumper.
Leo couldn’t believe his eyes when he found Finn asleep in his grandma’s armchair the next morning. Finn looked like a statue of a diligent knitter, and though he hadn’t seen it before Leo recognised the item that rested on Finn’s lap. On the day they’d met Finn had told him that he should wear a chunky blue jumper, and very clearly that was what Finn was knitting.
Stupid idiot.Warmth flooded Leo and he buried his hands in his pockets instead of running them through Finn’s curls and waking him. Leo had seen the lengthy list of orders on the kitchen island. Finn was crossing them off at a rapid rate, but he didn’t need to add yet another project, especially one that wouldn’t help the business.
They hadn’t gone further than that one sweet kiss the previous night, but Leo had accepted—while he waited for sleep to overtake him—that he wanted to see more of Finn. They matched in their wishes and visions, balanced each other in the way they tackled problems, and were both given to sharing and working together. Finn’s habit of classifying people by yarns, colours, and garments was the cutest thing Leo had ever come across. And when he plied his needles, focussed on his task to the exclusion of everything else… Finn went from sexy to almost irresistible.
Sleeping in the chair couldn’t be comfortable, but Leo found himself reluctant to wake Finn. Maybe the scent of brewing coffee would do the trick, and then he could send Finn upstairs to get some proper rest. After another kiss or two.
Leo had emptied both the mugs he’d poured by the time Finn blinked at his surroundings, confused how he’d got where he found himself.
“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty. I’m delighted to know my grandma’s armchairs are so comfortable.”
Finn stretched his arms over his head. “How did I not hear you moving around?”
“I’m a ninja.”
“You’re an elephant. But I didn’t hear you.”
“It’s the magic of Cosy & Chill. You know you’re safe here. Even if you’re sleeping in full view of all the passing customers.”
Finn’s face flushed crimson. He bolted upright as if the chair was red hot. “Oh my God. Did I drool?”
“You looked like Sleeping Beauty. A copper-headed Sleeping Beauty, but gorgeous all the same.”
“Don’t be silly.”
Leo held up the two mugs. “I was going to make more coffee. Would you like some? Or maybe breakfast?”
“Sounds great.” Finn checked his watch and grimaced. “Though it’s probably brunch.”
“Does it matter?”
“Not much. If you don’t have appointments, maybe we can keep each other company while we work this afternoon?”
Leo liked the hopeful note in Finn’s voice. He crossed the room and dropped a kiss on the top of Finn’s head. “I would like that very much,” he said. “Come on, then. Let’s get you fed.” He counted it as a win when Finn took his hand to let Leo pull him upright before he wrapped his arms around Leo’s waist for a quick hug.
