“I did and I’ll do it again if you don’t shut up and let the man speak.” She’s using the mom voice she uses with the twins when they are in trouble. I don’t want it to be effective, but I cower beneath the force of it. No wonder her kids are so well-behaved. “Good.” She nods before turning her attention back to Jasper. “Now you can continue.”

I look at him with wide eyes and then resist the urge to continue the kicking onto Jasper when I see he looks like he wants to laugh.

I knew this was a bad idea. Double dates are the worst. I hate them and I’m never doing this again . . . Not like it matters since the only guy I’m interested in is likely moving across the country, never to be heard from again.

I try to pull away from him, but I don’t get far before he tightens his grip and tucks me deeper into his side.

“Thank you, Elsie,” traitor jerk number one says to traitor jerk number two. “What I was going to say is that I’m thinking about staying in Colorado this time.”

I can’t say for sure what angels’ singing sounds like, but I’m pretty sure those words leaving Jasper’s mouth is the closest I’ll ever come to hearing it here on earth.

All urges to yell at and kick the wonderful people I’m here with fade into oblivion as hope, a feeling that has become so frequent around Jasper, begins to build.

“Really?” My voice can hardly be heard over the sound of conversation from the tables around us. I’m too afraid to speak up, terrified to wake up from whatever wonderful dream I’m immersed in.

“Yeah, really.” He turns in his seat so he’s looking me straight in the eyes. Elsie and Brandon disappear. Only Jasper and I exist in this moment. “I called a Realtor the other day and we’ve been setting up times to start looking at places. I’m sorry, I should’ve talked to you first. I hope this is—”

I know the last time I cut him off I got kicked for it, but I don’t care. Every word that comes out of his mouth makes me want to kiss him—so I do.

And this time, Elsie keeps her feet to herself.

I grab his face between my hands and pull his mouth to mine. It’s short and sweet—we are in public, after all—but somehow, this might be our best kiss yet. Like the promise of more time together has shifted something I didn’t even realize was lingering between us.

“I’m really glad you’re staying,” I whisper against his lips, not wanting to let him go.