Page 46 of Familiar Things New

Andrew shook his head.

“Sorry,” he blurted out. “I, uhm, I became a photographer because I like photographs. I love the realness and the—the honesty of them. I love seeing how unique people are. Capturing a person’s singularity like that . . .” His heart stuttered as Edwin’s small smile broadened. “. . . it feels special to me.”

Andrew’s overly sentimental statement hung between them for a moment while his heart pounded. He and Edwin held each other’s gaze, and soon, both of their faces reddened.

“I like that,” Edwin said softly.

Another rush of heat flooded Andrew’s face, and he smiled a little.

“Thank you.”

All of a sudden, the train veered right and some unevenness of the track caused the train car to rock more violently. Both men’s eyes widened in surprise, and when the car finally stopped rocking, they began to laugh. Then, Edwin heaved a sigh.

“You know, I might want to try to sleep for a while myself,” he said, frowning. He gestured over to William, who hadn’t even stirred. “William seems to be unbothered by the car’s constant jostling. Would you mind if I tried to nap?”

“Not at all. I can try too.” Andrew scooched a smidge lower and stretched out his legs. “I’m not expecting to be successful, but it still might be nice to try.”

Lolling his head to the side, Andrew closed his eyes. Not two seconds later, Edwin’s head came to rest against his, and he startled a little.

“Is this all right with you?” Edwin asked. “Because I can move if—”

“Don’t,” Andrew spluttered, a bit too forcefully. He took care to soften his tone. “Sorry. I, uhm, I meant that I don’t mind the, uhm, the where your head is.”

Edwin let out a little sound, one that was like a soft, happy hum mixed with a short laugh. Andrew exhaled a happy sigh in return, not embarrassed about his verbal blunder for once.

He wasn’t sure what to call what was blossoming between them. Something more than friendship, that was for sure.

Whatever it was, Andrew was happy to have it.

And he hoped to God he wouldn’t lose it.

Chapter Twelve

Andrew

Hours later, when Andrew’s eyes fluttered open, it took him a moment to remember where he was. Luckily, he hadn’t moved much upon waking, so he hadn’t woken his companion. Edwin was still sleeping peacefully beside him, his head resting on Andrew’s shoulder.

Reclosing his eyes, Andrew listened carefully for a faint snore, but all he was able to hear was the click-clack-clack of the train’s wheels moving over the tracks. He ought to have known that Edwin would be the sort of person to sleep peacefully. Edwin had such a sereneness about him, his features possessing the nicest softness, even when his face was otherwise stoic or even when his expression was slightly severe, like when he was clearly feeling irritated about something.

His eyes still shut, Andrew conjured up the image of Edwin’s face in his mind, and he smiled a little as he recalled some of Edwin’s stunning features, like his prominent cheekbones and the faint dimple on his chin.

Holding tight to the image, Andrew breathed in deeply, and Edwin’s wonderful scent wafted up his nose. Edwin smelled vaguely of orange blossom oil, which was a scent Andrew was plenty familiar with. Theodore had worn a similar cologne. But Andrew liked Edwin’s scent better. It was mixed with something else too. Sandalwood, maybe.

After permitting himself a few more seconds to enjoy the closeness, Andrew sat up a little, craning his neck to look out the window. His eyes widened with surprise when he realized they were surrounded by buildings now, rather than either woods or views of the countryside. It meant they’d finally reached the city. Andrew could scarcely believe he had slept so long. Or even at all.

Stomach slightly topsy-turvy from the train’s motion and his proximity to Edwin, Andrew slowly moved his hand to Edwin’s thigh and patted it to wake him. Each moment of contact caused his skin to tingle. Groaning, Edwin stirred awake. Andrew removed his hand.

“Are we there?” Edwin asked, his voice slightly raspy.

“Close.”

Edwin sat up and stretched. “Did you sleep?”

“Somehow,” Andrew said as they locked eyes. “It was comfortable. Being so close to you.”

Edwin’s expression remained unchanged, but the faintest pink hue colored his cheeks. Before Andrew could stumble over some sort of apology for his forwardness, William let out a big, expressive groan from the long sofa where he’d spent the ride.

“Dear God, that was a lovely nap,” he said, sitting up. He made a bunch of funny noises as he contorted his body this way and that to stretch. “Did you two get to rest as well?”