Chapter Thirty-One
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Finn
“Ready for round two?” Gem asked, grabbing the keys from behind the counter and heading over to the door. “There’s no queue today if that helps.”
I chuckled and sipped the large mocha I’d acquired from a nearby coffee shop, wrinkling my nose at the taste. I didn’t usually drink coffee because I generally found the taste quite overpowering, but today was an exception. If it was going to be anything like yesterday, I was going to need the caffeine. “It does.”
“Thanks again,” Gem said as he straightened a box on one of the displays. “For helping me this weekend. You didn’t have to.”
“I’d be a pretty rubbish boyfriend if I didn’t.” I reached for one of the leftover salted caramel cupcakes, hoping the addition of sugar to my system would help give it the kick it needed. I hated being tired. “Hopefully after this weekend it will settle down and become a little more manageable for you.”
“Fingers crossed. I want a steady stream of customers and orders, not so many I’m drowning but enough that I can afford to keep a roof over my head.”
“That sounds like the perfect balance,” I said, handing Gem a cupcake of his own. We’d managed to get rid of most of the cake yesterday, despite the vast quantities Edward and Izzy had brought, but there’d be enough to get us through today for anyone that really wanted some. “Yesterday was a good start though.”
Gem nodded. “Better than I’d anticipated. And I had a couple of people say they’d seen the little ad I put in Game and Geek . I didn’t think the next issue was out until next week, so that was a nice surprise. I think it’s mostly going to be word of mouth, and hopefully we’ll build up a steady stream of regulars. Jay’s already agreed we can co-host the game nights, and I can hand out little prizes or vouchers.” He began to pull the cupcake apart. “I was thinking of setting up a league or something for a couple of games. Just something casual that we can run for a couple of months. Something to think about.” He shoved half the cupcake into his mouth just as the door buzzed and a couple of people entered. Gem’s face screwed up in annoyance, and he glared furiously at the rest of the cupcake while I laughed behind my hand.
After that, there was a steady stream of people in and out of the shop. Some had known we were opening, some had just been passing by and been curious, and some had been sent by other people. Two had come up from The Lost World after chatting with Jay, and another group had come all the way up from the centre of town and the little board game café on Cornhill. Apparently, they’d been playing a couple of games there and two of them had been looking to get a copy of their own. Since the café didn’t keep a ton of games in stock to sell—usually only their most popular loans or the latest releases—they hadn’t had any, but they’d been kind enough to mention that Gem might.
I was pleased to hear that. We’d gone down during the week with a little stack of postcards, unsure whether they’d be open to the idea of another game shop opening, even if the market wasn’t quite the same. Gem had done a wonderful job of introducing himself and had framed the conversation in such a positive way that it had made me realise just how amazing he was with people. I’d always known he’d be good at the personal aspect of owning a customer-facing business, but watching him chat away with the café owner about games and the perils of opening a small business just hammered home how perfect he was at this. There was something warm and approachable about Gem. It was what had drawn me to him in the first place. Gem could make someone feel like they had known him their whole life after just five minutes, and he’d made me feel safe and listened to. Like I could be myself around him without any fear of repercussion. It was why I’d fallen for him so hard.
It was why I kept falling for him.
Every day, I felt myself falling a little bit more in love with Gem, and I hoped that continued for a very, very long time.
“What’re you thinking about?” Gem asked as he emerged from the stockroom with a stack of games in hand. “Anything fun?”
“Just about you, actually.”
“Oh? Good things I hope.” He leant over and pressed a quick kiss to my cheek before heading to a shelf.
“Of course,” I said, smiling as I watched him. “It sounds cheesy, but I was just thinking about how much I love you, and how lucky I am to have you in my life.”
“Aww.” Gem grinned at me cheekily. “You’re a soppy bastard.”
“I am, and you love that about me.”
“That I do,” he said. He shoved a copy of Carcassone into place, then opened his mouth to say something else but was cut off by the door opening and two familiar figures bursting through the door, accompanied by one unexpected one.
“Gem!” Kelsey hurtled across the floor and flung herself at Gem, who threw the last game onto the shelf at light speed before scooping Kelsey up into his arms.
“Hey, Kelsey,” Gem said. “I didn’t know you were coming today.” He turned to me and gave me a pointed look, but I shrugged because I was as bewildered as he was. I’d spoken to Chantelle yesterday morning, and she’d said nothing about making the trip. Chantelle stood near the door, grinning and looking as fabulous as usual with Jules standing next to her. Jules was also smiling, but at Chantelle rather than me, and a note of suspicion lodged itself in my brain.
“Surprise,” Kelsey said, waving her arms around. “Mummy and I wanted to surprise you.”
“Congratulations,” Chantelle said, walking over to give Gem a hug as Kelsey slithered out of his arms and went to talk to Jules. Chantelle muttered something to him that I couldn’t hear, and Gem burst out laughing.
“What are you two conspiring about?” I asked, moving around the counter. “And how come Gem gets a hug first?”
“There’s no conspiracy,” Chantelle said. “And stop pouting. You’ll get your hug.”
“Good,” I said as I pulled her into my arms. “Otherwise I might get jealous.”
Chantelle snorted. “You couldn’t get jealous if you tried. You’re too sweet.” From behind us, Jules made a choking sound, and I felt my face heat. Chantelle raised an eyebrow and looked between the pair of us. “Do I want to know?”
“Probably not,” Jules said, and Chantelle hummed, a mischievous grin on her lips. I’d told Chantelle what had happened with Gem and how that had led to my siblings finding out my secret, but Jules didn’t know that. There was the strong potential for this to blow up in my face, but that would mean Chantelle and Jules talking to each other…
But they must be in some sort of communication if Chantelle had organised this visit in secret, and Jules had come with her. I’d seen them chatting when Chantelle had been up and we’d gone for lunch with my family, but I hadn’t thought anything of it. It felt like I was missing something, and I had an uncharacteristic urge to know what it was.
“So,” I said quietly as Kelsey began asking Gem questions about some of the colourful boxes on the nearest display. “You and Jules?” I was taking a wild stab in the dark, but the flare of Chantelle’s eyes and the pink tint under her make-up suggested I wasn’t far off. Interesting.
“It’s nothing serious. We just got chatting when we were over at your parents’ for lunch last time I came to stay, and then she followed me on Insta when I got home, and it just went from there.” I hummed quietly, and Chantelle smacked my chest playfully. “Don’t be a dick and ruin this. Your sister is really sweet.”
“I’m not saying a word,” I said, pretending to zip up my mouth but unable to stop myself from grinning.
“Good.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“I thought you weren’t saying anything.”
“Technically, I’m not saying anything about your relationship—friendly or otherwise—with my sister.”
“Don’t get fucking technical with me,” Chantelle said. She looked over at Gem and Kelsey, who were heading upstairs. Kelsey was holding Gem’s hand and chattering away while Jules followed them with a soft look on her face I’d never seen before. I logged that away for later, but I’d be good and wouldn’t tell anyone. I wasn’t my brothers and didn’t need to put Jules in the spotlight in the family group chat. If there was anything going on, Jules would tell us when she was ready. Besides, Chantelle lived in London and had Kelsey, so there would be more complex things for them to navigate, and they’d all be easier without my family breathing down their necks.
“We’re just friends,” Chantelle added.
“I’ve heard that one before. A note of advice, it never works out the way you think it will.”
“Oh, please. You were in love with Gem before this whole friends-with-benefits thing even started. You were practically dating just without making it official.”
I opened my mouth but realised I couldn’t argue. “Point taken.”
“Besides,” Chantelle said. “We live so far apart, and I’ve got Kelsey, and I’m not sure Jules would be interested in someone like me… I’m a hot mess. Plus, I’ve never dated a woman before.”
“What about that girl at uni? Nina?” I vaguely remembered the two of them being very cosy during our second year.
“Er, that was just a bit of fun.” Chantelle blushed. “We were just fooling around.”
“Well, take it from someone who’s just done the whole terrible communication thing—”
“Against my advice,” Chantelle said with a pointed smile.
I ignored her and continued. “Just be open with Jules. That’s all you can do. Talk to each other, please.”
“Don’t do a Finn. Noted.”
“You’re so sweet.” I pushed the box of leftover cake towards her. “Have a cupcake.”
There was the thundering of feet on the stairs and Kelsey appeared, clutching a My Little Pony role-play starter book. “Mummy! Can we get this please? I can be a pony and have adventures, and Gem said he’d teach me how to play!”
“It’s designed for kids,” I said. “It’s a starter RPG. It’s cute and very simple. We can play over Skype or Zoom or something.”
“I’ll play too,” said Jules, coming down the stairs behind Gem. “I like My Little Pony.”
“Oh, will you now,” I muttered, ignoring Chantelle’s glare.
“Finn,” Kelsey said. “You know how last time you said Gem wasn’t your boyfriend?”
“Yes…”
“Is he now? Mummy said he was and that you…” She scrunched up her face. “You finally stopped being a ’nana.”
I chuckled as Chantelle put one hand on her face. “Yes, Gem is my boyfriend.”
“Okay. Does he make you doughnuts now?”
“Er, no,” I said.
Kelsey sighed and gave me a pitying look. “I’m sorry. I don’t think it’s worth having a boyfriend if you don’t get doughnuts.”
Behind her, Gem burst into raucous laughter. “Don’t worry, Kelsey. I’ll learn to make some.”
“Good,” she said with a nod as if she’d just righted one of the greatest wrongs in the world. “Mummy, can I have doughnuts now? I’m hungry.”
“How about,” Jules said, coming up behind Kelsey, “we pay for your book and then we go and get something to eat. Do you like pizza?”
“Yes! Let’s go!”
We arranged for them to come back to mine later for dinner, and Chantelle gave me another hug. Jules insisted on paying for Kelsey’s book, and when they left, I noticed Kelsey holding her hand. I hummed and watched the three of them walk down the street from the upstairs window while filling some of the shelves.
“So…” Gem said when I came down. He was stacking one of the cases near the door. “They’re banging.”
I snorted. “Chantelle says they’re just friends.”
Gem scoffed. “Yeah, but we said that too, and look how that turned out.”
“That’s what I said.” I walked up to him and kissed him quickly. “And I’m very glad it did. I love you.”
“I love you too.” Gem shoved the last box onto the shelf. “You’re the best thing that has happened to me.”
“I could say the same to you too,” I said, my heart so full of happiness I thought I might burst. If this was going to be my life, I couldn’t wish for a better one.