But do I want to make that big of a change? Moving houseandjob is a big upheaval. What if I don’t like living in Sheffield?
I’m still undecided as I pull up outside Jerry’s house. I left work a couple of hours early, but Friday afternoon traffic was as shit as it usually is, and it’s taken me longer than I expected to get here. My plans of seeing a bit of the countryside will have to wait because it’s going to be dark soon.
Instead of getting out, I sit in my car and take in the front of Jerry’s house. It’s lovely, but maybe not what I was expecting. It’s more modern, for one thing, but it’s also incredibly inviting, even from the outside. The front lawn is a lush green and neatly cut. Colourful flowers in pots sit either side of the door, and I’m still sat there staring when the front door opens and Jerry leans against the doorjamb, arms folded, watching me with a raised eyebrow.
Okay, now I feel stupid.
But this feels like... I’m not sure what exactly, butsomething. Maybe it’s because I’ve talked to Jerry a lot over the past few months, but none of it has been face to face, unless you count that one time we video called. Suddenly seeing him in person is messing with my head a little.
It finally hits me.
I’m nervous.
But I can’t stay in my car forever.
“Hey,” I call when I grab my bag and get out.
“I was starting to wonder if you were ever coming in.” He smiles as he says it, his gaze sweeping over me quickly. “Everything okay?”
I contemplate lying for all of two seconds, but what’s the point in that? “Honestly? Feeling a bit awkward right now.”
His expression softens. “If it makes you feel any better, me too.”
It does.
At least I know I’m not the only one who’s weirded out by this.
I reach the door, but he makes no move to invite me inside yet. “Your house is lovely,” I say, turning to look out over the front again. There’s a large tree in the corner that looks like—“Is that a Christmas tree?”
He follows my gaze and his smile widens. “Yeah. I’ve had it for a few years now. Looks amazing in winter when I decorate it with Christmas lights.”
They had snow last year when I was here, and it doesn’t take much imagination to picture Jerry’s house covered in white, with lights strung up outside and wrapped around that beautiful tree. “I bet it does.” I practically sigh the words, and he moves close enough to nudge me.
“Maybe you could come back in a couple of months and see for yourself?”
I smile. “Maybe I could.”
And just like that, the awkwardness vanishes like it was never there.
“Come inside,” he murmurs and steps back to make room for me to pass. “I’ll introduce you to the rest of my family.”
By family he means a super friendly black lab and a gorgeous tabby striped cat, and I spend the next couple of hours getting all the fuss I can handle. We used to have both dogs and cats when I was growing up, and just like when I met Sean’s dog, Lucky, this reminds me how much I miss having some form of animal company. But that also reminds me that Idohave that now.
I pull out my phone to text Paul, because he’s cat-sitting for me.
Reed: How’s Frank?
Paul: Asleep on my lap. Where he’s been for the last hour.
Paul: Still can’t believe your cat is called Frank.
Reed: Thanks again for doing this. I shouldn’t be back too late on Sunday.
Paul: No need to rush back. Make the most of your dirty weekend away!
He adds a few emojis that make me snort and roll my eyes.
I made the mistake of showing him Jerry on the vet practice’s website and he’s been full of innuendo ever since. I don’t exactly hate it either. It’s been a while since he’s felt comfortable enough to tease me about liking someone.
