Fuck. This is the only downside. “I’m sorry. I know I promised, but?—”
“Hey. It’s okay.” He doesn’t sound angry or upset, and he’s smiling at me with a look in his eyes that makes my heart stutter. “I’d much rather you stay there if it means they get their forever home.” He shrugs. “I’m not working New Year’s Day, so I’ll come to you then. We’ll just be a day late.”
“You sure?”
“If I hadn’t already made plans with Jerry, I’d come tomorrow. But I don’t like going back on my word.” He looks torn, and I don’t want that.
I don’t want him thinking he has to choose between me and his friends. “Of course not. Have fun with Jerry tomorrow night, and I’ll see you the day after.”
“I’ll call you at midnight,” he says, voice soft.
“You better.” Our gazes catch and hold, and I wonder if he’s thinking what I am. If the same words are on the tip of his tongue, if it’s as hard for him to swallow them back down as it is for me.
We say our goodbyes and hang up as Joe comes downstairs.
He takes one look at the dog bed and shakes his head, coming to stand beside me. His shoulder nudges mine. “Thank you,” he says, quietly. “I think they’re going to love it here.”
“I think so too.” I wrap my arm around him, and he doesn’t complain when I hug him close.
Although I’m going to miss seeing Sean tomorrow night and kissing him at midnight, I can’t deny the feeling of warmth I get seeing the two new additions to my home. And the happiness radiating off Joe.
It’s only one more day until I see Sean.
It won’t kill me.
Joe’s goinground to his mate’s house for New Year’s Eve. He leaves just after eight, and then it’s me, Jax, and Jinx in for the night. I refuse to mope around, so I’ve indulged in aTesco’s Finestmeal deal, with a lovely bottle of champagne to toast in the new year. If I stay awake that long. I’d planned to take it with me to Sean’s, but since that’s not happening anymore, I thought I’dcheershim with a glass on FaceTime at midnight.
My phone rings at nine o’clock, and I answer Sean’s call, only to be met with loud music, singing, and a pub full of people.
But no Sean.
Instead, it’s Jerry and a slightly tipsy Hailey. “Vic!” she yells and holds up a glass. “Cheers!”
“I thought you weren’t drinking?”
She waves a hand about. “I can’t breastfeed anymore. My nipples can’t take it.” I’m pretty sure me and Jerry are wearing matching horrified expressions, along with three men standing behind her, but she carries on, clearly not giving a fuck. “Char’s got Emily, so I’m having a drink to celebrate the New Year and our very happy first guests.”
“Congratulations. I’m glad it’s all going well.”
“It is.” She beams. Then Jerry takes the phone off her.
“Sean says you’ve got new houseguests. We want to see them.” He swings the phone around, presumably showing me whoweis, and I do a double take because I’m pretty sure I saw Reed in the background. “Well?”
There’s still no sign of Sean, so I turn my camera around and show Jax and Jinx on the sofa next to me. I hear a chorus of ooh’s and aah’s and then an “oh my God, give me my phone, you arsehole.”
Then Sean appears, and the pub fades away as he walks outside. “Sorry about that, I only nipped to the loo. I didn’t realise those idiots were going to phone you.”
“It’s fine.”
“You okay?” He’s leaning against the outside of the pub, the snow has mostly gone, but it must be freezing because his breath is steamy, and he has his coat zipped right up. “It looks nice and quiet there.”
“It is. And yeah, I’m all right.”I miss you. I wish I was there.But I’m also glad I took Jax and Jinx home with me yesterday, so I don’t say it, because I can’t have it both ways. Maybe I don’t need to say the words, because Sean looks at me like he knows exactly what I’m thinking.
“I’ll be there tomorrow,” he whispers.
“I know.” I manage a smile, despite the ache in my chest because were apart. “I can’t wait.”
“Me neither.” He smiles back at me, but it’s not as bright as I’m used to.
