He hums to himself, but I really don’t want to talk about this anymore. I don’t want to overthink things and get in my head about it. We’re just two old friends seeing where things go between us. No pressure.
Simple.
Casual.
Easy.
I’ve almost convinced myself by the time we leave the pub about an hour later.
“Sean!” Vic comes jogging over to us, clutching my coat. “I forgot to give you this back. Sorry.” He’s a little out of breath like he’s run to catch up with us.
I turn to face him. “Thank you. But you could’ve given it to me on Friday.”
“I didn’t know if you had another.” His hand twitches like he wants to reach for me, but his gaze swings to Jerry and he clutches his thigh instead. “Didn’t want you to be cold on my account.”
I grin because he’s so fucking cute for a thirty-eight-year-old man. “Thank you,” I repeat and take it from him.
“Right... um... see you Friday.” He turns before I can reply and heads around the side of the pub, presumably to Hailey’s house.
I canfeelJerry watching all this with interest, so I turn and poke a finger at him. “Not a fucking word.”
His laughter lights up the night, and I’m grinning as I put Lucky in the boot of the car. I doubt this will be the last I hear about it, but strangely enough, I’m not all that bothered.
VIC
“Are you sure you’re okay?”I eye Hailey as she leans against the kitchen counter and rubs her lower back. I’ve noticed her doing that a lot over the past few days.
Predictably, Hailey rolls her eyes. “I’m fine. If it makes you feel better, I’m seeing the midwife on Monday.”
It does, marginally. Though I wish it was sooner if I’m honest. “When’s your due date?” I know roughly when it is—mid-January—but not the exact day.
“January eighth.” She raises her eyebrows at me, smirking. “Don’t worry, you’ll be safely back at home by then.”
Thank God. I’d do anything for Hailey and Joe, but I’m not sure I can handle the stress of the final weeks of her pregnancy. It was bad enough the first time round. “When’s Char due back?” I know from Joe that Charlotte’s had to stay longer than anticipated, but Hailey hasn’t told me how long.
Hailey’s face drops and I immediately regret asking. “Today. But they’ve decided to stay a bit longer. Her nan isn’t doing as well as they’d hoped. She’s back in the hospital.”
I walk over and wrap my arm around her, pulling her in for a hug. “I’m sorry.”
She leans against me with a sigh. “I know it’s selfish of me to want her back here when she clearly has family who need her more, but...fuck...” She rubs her eyes and sniffles. “Stupid fucking hormones.” Her words are laced with amusement, but I know her well enough to see that Char’s absence is getting to her.
“It’s okay to want her here, Hails.” I rub her back gently, wishing I could make it better. “It doesn’t make you selfish.” I want to laugh because Hailey is one of the most unselfish people I know.
She hums, noncommittal and I wonder if leaving her alone tonight is the best idea.
I’ve been looking forward to spending some time alone with Joe, but not if Hailey needs him more. “Do you want me to stay here tonight instead of taking Joe to the lodge with me?”
“Fuck no.” She slaps my arm and steps out from under it. “I have the whole evening planned out. I’m going to binge-watchBridgertonagain—Char’s not a fan—on a sofa full of blankets and pillows. I have snacks and hot chocolate and I won’t have to worry about farting in front of Joe and embarrassing us both.”
I screw my nose up. “A simpleno, that’s okay, Vic,would’ve done.”
She laughs and rolls her eyes. “No, that’s okay, Vic. Better?”
“Much, thank you.” I try and make my escape to go round up Joe, but she snags my hand.
“Not so fast there, Marlow.”
Damn it. I know what’s coming.
