XOXO: A Bundle of Cozy Novellas

Edmund

EDMUND

Coming out of his meeting with Jude, Edmund immediately sensed something was wrong. Owen stood by his desk, his shoulders tense and his handsome face set with worry lines. When Jude disappeared back into his office with Andy Dunn, Edmund decided he needed to get to the bottom of Owen’s distress.

“Does she live far, your great-aunt?” Being that he didn’t actually venture out of the city much, Edmund only had a very cursory knowledge of Washington State geography.

“It’s great-great—a title she deserves, but a mouthful. Probably a three-hour trip, one way, this time of year,” Owen replied glumly. “Realistically, even if I had a car I’d have to stay overnight, because I can’t leave until after work. Also, I want to visit for a little while, not leave right away after seeing how she is.” His gaze flitted away from Edmund’s.

“I thought it was an American requirement to own a car,” Edmund teased, trying to get Owen to look at him again.

“Yeah, well, I kind of wrecked mine and didn’t have the money to replace it.” He was still looking away.

“Oh no! What happened?” He was terrified of getting in an auto accident, another reason why he didn’t drive much.

“I got rear-ended by a monster truck, and the insurance company totaled it. I knew when the accident happened they would write the car off, even though there didn’t look like there was much damage. They gave me a couple thousand dollars for it, but not enough to replace it. Most of the time I don’t mind not having a car, but right now it really sucks.” Owen finally looked at him, and Edmund was distressed by the anguish he saw on Owen’s face.

Edmund opened his mouth to commiserate or… something. Instead, “We could take my car?” came tumbling out.

Owen smiled sadly and shook his head. “Really nice of you to offer, Edmund. No way is Jude going to let me go. It means a lot, though. Thank you.” He took a deep breath and visibly tried to calm himself down.

“If I asked him?”

Owen frowned again. Edmund wanted to reach over and smooth the spot between his eyebrows away. “I can’t ask you to do that. I know you have deadlines to meet.”

“I want to.”

The door to Jude’s office opened again and Andy, someone Edmund had a visceral dislike of, emerged. Before Andy could shut the door behind himself, Edmund slipped back inside.

When he returned to the lobby, Andy was still there, lurking next to Owen’s desk. He said something Edmund didn’t quite catch, threw him an annoying smirk, and drifted off toward the elevators that would deliver him to the upper level where most of the developers and sales force worked. Owen looked over at Edmund, his face expressionless. For some reason Edmund thought maybe he was angry.

“Jude said yes.” Edmund couldn’t help but grin.

“No way.” Owen’s face lit up. There was no other way Edmund could describe it.

“He did. He also said you could leave now.”

Owen immediately stood from his chair and started tossing things into the messenger bag he kept under the desk. Abruptly he stopped what he was doing and asked, “Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, I’m sure. I’ve never been on an American road trip before. It’s not the same in the UK. I think the longest it takes to get anywhere is about fifteen hours total, and it’s not a trip I’ve taken.”

“Okay, if you’re sure—this shouldn’t be fifteen hours, though, maybe three each way, like I said. I’m not going to ask if you are sure again. I’m afraid you’ll change your mind.” He finished packing up his belongings and straightened, slinging his bag over one shoulder. “Ready.”

“Um, would you like to run by your flat for anything before we leave?”

Owen looked startled at the question. “Noooo, that’s okay. I’d rather you still thought of me as normal. I share my apartment with three other people, and it’s generally best if no one ever sees the inside.”

“I don’t have to go inside with you,” Edmund said, “but, okay, then. I’m going to stop at mine, if you don’t mind.”

“Why would I mind? You’re doing me an enormous favor!”

Owen stepped back behind his desk and logged off the desktop. Then he hastily straightened the sticky notes and other slips of paper strewn about, setting the pen cup in one corner and placing a Gone for the Day placard on his desk.

“Oops.” Owen took his bag off, pulled on a thick wool coat that had been hanging over the back of his chair and a knit cap, and wrapped a bright red scarf around his neck. He looked… delicious.

“Ready!” he announced as he repositioned his shoulder bag.

“Come on, then.”

Edmund led Owen out to his car. “One thing.”

“Sure, anything, what?”

“You have to drive.”

Reaching into his coat pocket, Edmund grabbed his car keys and tossed them to Owen. Owen managed to catch them in midair before staring at Edmund, a stunned expression on his face.

“Why would you trust me behind the wheel? You hardly know me, and I just told you I wrecked my car.”

“That wasn’t your fault, you said as much—or at least that’s what it sounded like to me. I trust you. I’m just not very comfortable behind the wheel here yet.” Probably never.

Comprehension dawned, and Owen chuckled. “Oh, it’s a wrong-side-of-the-road thing, is it? Well, okay. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Lifting the key fob, Owen pushed the unlock icon, and they both got inside with Owen behind the wheel.

“This is a nice ride.” Owen ran his palms over the leather-covered steering wheel and examined the various knobs and controls. Edmund was convinced his car could probably prepare tea if necessary. Maybe he should look into one of those self-driving cars he’d read about, but somehow those scared him even more.

“Seriously, though, thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much this means to me. We’ll be back tonight, but it will be late.”

“It’s fine. I work from home most of the time. You’re the one who has to show your face in the office.”

Owen wrinkled his nose at Edmund as he started the engine. “Ugh, thanks for the reminder.” Then, with practiced ease, he backed out of the car park, turned right onto the street, and headed toward the highway.