I feel the same. His time here is almost up. He’s going back home the day after Boxing Day and even though we’re going to do our very fucking best to make this work, I want to cram in as much time together as we can before then.
A loud bark reminds me that in my excitement to see Vic, I’ve forgotten about Lucky. I step back, adjusting myself as I go because kissing Vic makes me hard. “Someone else is pleased to see you.” Vic’s gaze drops to my groin and I laugh. “I meant Lucky.”
He grins as his cheeks flush. “I knew that.”
Predictably, as soon as I let Lucky out of the boot, he’s all over Vic. Tail wagging a mile a minute as he dances about Vic’s legs like he’s missed him as much as I have. Which reminds me. “Are you still thinking about getting a dog?”
He glances up at me, still fussing over Lucky. “Joe and I are going to see Jax on the thirtieth.”
“Didn’t want to wait until after New Year?” I usually spend New Year’s Eve at the pub with Jerry and a few of our other friends. I’d planned on inviting Vic; I just hadn’t got around to it yet.
“It’s just an initial meeting.” He stands and smooths out his clothes. “Nothing’s definite.”
Mhmm.
I keep my opinions to myself, but there is no way that Vic isn’t coming home with that dog at some point.
“Shall we go in?” He rubs his hands together. “It’s freezing.”
“You’re the one who came out here. We could’ve done all this in the warmth.”
“Nah, I wanted to get you alone first.” He crowds me against my car for one last kiss. I feel him shiver as the wind picks up, and I grab his hand. “Come on.”
I glance up at the sky as we walk. It’s that thick, white-grey that always promises snow. I wonder if we’ll get a white Christmas. It always sends Lucky a little bonkers, but it’s entertaining as fuck and he loves it.
I cross my fingers and send up a silent prayer.
Walking in the snow on Christmas morning with my dog and my boyfriend would be the best present I could wish for.
I grin suddenly. That’s the first time I’ve called him that, even if it is only in my head. Are we too old for that term?
Boyfriend.
I say it a couple more times, and fuck it. I don’t care if we are too old, I like the sound of it.
Vic nudges me as we near the pub entrance. “What’s got you grinning like the Cheshire cat?”
I debate whether to tell him or not. But he tugs me to a stop before I can open the door and waits expectantly. Reaching up, I tuck a stray curl under his hat. “I was just thinking how nice it’d be if it snows overnight. How I’d love to take an early morning walk in that pristine snow with my dog... and my boyfriend.”
It takes a moment and then his whole face lights up. “Boyfriend, huh?”
I shrug. “What would you call us?”
He thinks about it, then gives a little shrug of his own. “Boyfriends works for me.”
“Good.”
We’re both still smiling as we enter the pub, and we’re hit with warmth, laughter, and Christmas music. It’s only four o’clock, but the festive spirit is well and truly alive inside. I suspect most of the people have been here for a few hours already, but the atmosphere is happy and inviting, and we’re both met with waves and season’s greetings.
I spot Jerry at the bar and tug Vic over to him.
Vic shrugs out of his coat, then holds out his hand. “Give me yours, and I’ll go put them out the back.” He says a quick hello to Jerry, then disappears to store our coats.
Jerry bends to stroke Lucky, then looks at me, eyebrow raised.
“What?”
He smirks. “Still going strong I see.”
