New York | An Original Ed Sheeran Fanfiction

Chapter 4

Wednesday afternoon arrives, and Ed and I are waiting at my place for Dani and Brandon to pick us up since my place was much closer to D's than his. Ed had stayed over the night of my housewarming and has been spending most of his free time since with me anyway.

He says it feels "homier" than his rented apartment, but I think my two cats, Jazz and Henry, are the real draw. The three of them have become the best of friends.

I'm still struggling to find a balance of how to spend time with Ed without diving into a full-blown relationship with him. I'd meant what I'd said to him – I am NOT ready for that, but at the same time, I'd never casually dated. I don't know how to.

"They're almost here – ready to go?" I ask. Ed is lying on his stomach on the floor, trailing a cat toy around for my littlest one, while my older cat snoozes contentedly on his back.

"...but Jazz and I are playing!" he protests, looking up at me with a pouty expression. His eyes crinkle a half-second before he breaks out that adorable smile of his.

Shaking my head, I pick Henry up from Ed's back. "You and Jazz can play when we get back. Think how much more you'll enjoy it if you have to wait a bit."

"Mmmm...I've been thinking 'bout that a lot,' he says as he stands up. The smile that was adorable only seconds ago has turned into a cheeky smirk as he pulls me in for a kiss.

I blush. I'm pretty sure that I've blushed more with Ed in the last three days than I have in the last three years. After our talk the other night, we hadn't gone beyond kissing. When Ed had said he'd take things as slowly as I needed, he'd meant it. He does enjoy teasing me, though. Especially since he's figured out that he can make me blush.

I double check that the cats have enough food and water to last until the pet sitter comes by on Friday as Ed grabs our weekender bags, and then we head downstairs.

*

Traffic is relatively light on the way to Ashleigh's and the drive is easy. Ed and Brandon, who's Australian, spend a lot of it trying to mimic each other's accent and have Dani and I in stitches.

We make a quick stop at what I think must be the world's largest liquor store for weekend supplies. Ed is like a kid in a candy store, eyes wide, picking up bottles that catch his attention and putting them in our cart.

"Ed, there is no way we're going to be able to drink all of this in one weekend." I start to put back the "fun looking" bottle of something bright green – oh, good god, it's absinthe – but he stops me.

"Then we'll have it for next time," he replies with a wink and puts it back in.

Ed insists on paying for everything, saying that he should supply the drinks since he's not contributing to the meal, and then we're on our way once more.

Ashleigh and Max come out to meet us in the driveway when we arrive, and the guys bring all the luggage and alcohol inside in short order. The house smells delicious – all cinnamon and spice and fall.

Ash is directing traffic. She's in her element when she's in charge. I love her, but damn the girl is bossy. "D, you and Brandon are the first room at the top of the stairs. You two," she turns to Ed and me, "are in the basement bedroom."

It hadn't occurred to me that she would put us in the same room since she knows I want to take things slowly. There's an additional bedroom on the second floor, so I know it's not a space issue. Yes, Ed had spent that one night at my apartment, but I'd been exhausted from all the emotional baggage I'd spilled, and we'd just talked for a long time before both falling asleep. Shit.