Lesson 172- THE FINAL CHAPTER- Sometimes, all you have to do is ask.

**RINA**
I’m wandering around the bar in my pyjamas. It’s pretty early in the morning and Tori texted to let me know that he dropped Lindy home not too long ago. Based on how totally exhausted he is, I figure he’s probably heading straight home now. The last couple months have been amazing. I spend basically every evening at work with Torin and sometimes we go out during the day. I’ve also gone to his house a few times for breakfast and every time I do, I find myself getting increasingly disappointed when the time comes for me to go back to the bar. More than once, I’ve just ended up spending the day sleeping there beside Torin and honestly, those are my favourite days. Since I realised that, I’ve tried hinting to Tori that I might like to stay with him more often, like permanently. But I don’t want to ASK him. I know he’s really protective of his home. It’s already a big deal that he lets me visit at all. I don’t want to overstep. I’m just contemplating making tea for myself and Jane when the back door swings open and Torin walks in. 
“Tori? I thought you were going home to sleep.” I comment surprised. I still head in to hug him though. He leans down and kisses my hair lightly which makes me smile. 
“I wanted to see you.” He answers immediately. 
“Is something wrong?” I ask, concerned. He shakes his head.
“No, I just wanted to see you.” He repeats and I beam a smile at him. 
“Would you like to come to my place for breakfast?” He asks and I nod.
“Sure, I’d love to. I’ll grab my stuff. One second, okay?” I rush to my room and grab my shoes and handbag. I also slip a few extra toiletries in there, just in case I end up staying again. A girl can hope right? Once I’m ready, Tori holds out his hand for me and we walk out to his car together. 

Torin is quiet while we drive, that isn’t exactly unusual for him, especially since I know he’s pretty tired. But I am curious how things went with Lindy and Richard. Before I can actually ask, my phone vibrates. It’s a text from Lindy.

Lindy- What am I supposed to wear for a date? 

Rina- A date!!! With who?

Lindy- I… Asked Richard out.

Rina- YOU asked HIM?

Lindy- Yeah…

Rina- I am definitely going to need the whole story, but later. I think I’m going to want to hear this one in person. With drinks. 

Lindy- Fair. Long story short, I decided it’s time for me to take a risk. 

Rina- I’m so happy for you. I’m just on my way to Tori’s.

Lindy- Good luck.

Good luck? Clearly Lindy noticed the hints I was giving Torin, even if he didn’t. 
“Tori, Lindy and Richard are going out!” I tell him in a singsong voice. He glances sideways and smiles at me.
“I thought they might. You’re happy about this?”  He confirms and I nod. 
“Definitely. I think they’ll be good for each other.” I decide. Torin nods his agreement. 

We make it to his place and I shudder as we go through his wards. Once I’m inside I wander the house. I’ve started doing it every time I come over. I’ve been slowly giving him gifts. Picture frames, cute knick knacks, candles, stuff like that. Slowly, his house is starting to look more comfortable and lived in. I love it more and more every time I come here. Torin watches me curiously as I wander.
“Do you like that shelf?” He asks as I walk past his main bookshelf. 
“Hmm? Yeah, It’s nice.” I agree distractedly as I check for gifts I’ve given him.
“And the couch, do you like that?” He asks again. Interesting, maybe he has noticed my hints.
“I love your couch.” I tell him enthusiastically and continue slowly walking through the house. Every time I stop by something, he asks what I think of it. It’s kind of adorable. I’m tempted to see how he would react if I said I DIDN’T like something, but I don’t want to risk it. Besides, I genuinely do like it here. I don’t think there is anything I would get rid of. I might ADD things, but that’s all. That is, if I had the chance to. I end my wandering in the kitchen since he DID invite me over for breakfast. Tori starts going through cupboards getting breakfast stuff out. I notice a flower in a glass on his window sil and smile. It matches the ones in my room at the bar. I wondered how he always knows exactly when I’m due for new ones, apparently he keeps one to check. That’s so sweet. Even though I can leave the bar now, he’s continued to make sure to consistently get me flowers. While he makes us eggs on toast, he continues to ask me questions. Do I like the plates he uses? What do I think of the window shutters? Are the tiles an okay colour? He seems nervous as hell. I smile with anticipation. 

As we finish breakfast he washes up the dishes and I casually yawn and ask if he minds me staying over. He immediately agrees. Torin is tense as we head towards his bedroom. 
“What do you think of my room?” He asks awkwardly.
“It’s comfortable.” I answer easily. I help myself to his dresser and pick out one of his shirts to sleep in. Tori nervously vanishes into the ensuite to shower. Once I’m changed, I crawl into bed and wait for him. He exits the bathroom a few minutes later, wearing sleeping pants with no shirt, his hair damp. I am so glad that he and I are together because now I can ogle him without feeling like a creep. He stands awkwardly next to the bed.
“Do you like my bed?” He asks and I can’t help myself.
“I love your bed. I’d like it even more if you joined me in it.” I answer immediately. Torin’s ears go red but he makes no movement to join me. I frown and glance down at myself. Am I being too subtle? He did invite me back to his place saying he wanted to spend time with me. Is he too tired? Torin clears his throat uncomfortably, drawing my attention back to him. 
“I… Uh… I was wondering. Well… I know you don’t mind staying in the bar, and it’s part of our territory so I know you’re pretty safe there, but you stay here sometimes too and… Well… I was talking to… People… And I’ve been sort of… Researching relationships and the normal steps people take, especially since ours started so… Abnormally.” Torin pauses and takes a deep breath. I’m basically holding mine while I wait for him to continue.
“I just… I feel like there should be more progress.” He asks uncomfortably, then falls silent. I pat the bed beside me, and when he doesn’t move, I reach out, take his hand and tug him down to sit with me. 
“Tori, things between us have been going really well. I promise you have nothing to worry about.” I reassure him. He nods, his expression serious.
“I agree. But that’s why I feel like I want to… Move forward more.” He says shyly. I smile and stroke the back of his hand. 
“What did you have in mind?” I ask. 
“I just… I wondered, if you would maybe want to come and stay here with me? Not just occasionally like you have been. I mean properly live here.” He suggests it while looking at me anxiously like he expects me to turn him down. I beam a huge smile at him and throw my arms around his neck. 
“Of course I will! I’ve wanted to for a while now. I’m so glad you asked.” I tell him affectionately. Torin seems incredibly relieved. He wraps his arms around me and clutches me tightly.

We stay like that for a long time, chatting about getting my things later tonight after work and moving me in first thing tomorrow. We decide that Crash will come and live here too, but that we will continue to bring him to work with us. Partly so he doesn’t get left alone all the time and partly because everyone at the bar loves him so much, we don’t want to deprive them of that. Torin is enthusiastic, but the poor man is also exhausted. He’s been awake for far too long, so eventually he does fall asleep, still holding me tightly against his chest. I’m not as tired as him, so I stay awake a while longer, watching him affectionately. I can’t wait to move in with him. I can’t wait to get to rest like this every day. It was adorable how nervous Torin was to ask me to move in with him. I have been wanting to for a while, but not only that, when he started talking about the next steps… All I could think is he could ask me for anything and I would agree. Hell, he could have proposed and I would have been just as delighted. Hmm… Maybe it’s about time I start dropping a few more hints. Either way, this moment is absolutely perfect and I am eagerly looking forward to my future with Torin. 

The End.

Not done with these characters? Don’t worry! To hear more about these characters including Damien and Eli, keep an eye out for the next book I have planned, ‘Death, Dating and Other Dilemmas.’