“It’s just a wreath. And this is Jerry’s new stand.”
Reed has no choice but to take the stand and give up on getting a peek at my new wreath. “Trees already at the car.”
Oh, that was quick.
He’s looking at me with intent, blue eyes the colour of stormy seas as he waits for me to get whatever message he’s obviously trying to send.
Ooh.
“Thanks for your help, Pete.”
“My pleasure.”
I give him a nod and reach for Reed’s hand without registering what I’m doing.
His fingers curl around mine, making me smile, and I catch Pete’s wistful sigh as he watches us.
“Bye.” Reed smiles at him. “Maybe we’ll see you in the pub again soon.”
Pete beams back at him. “I’ll look forward to it.”
I don’t even care, because I’m still stuck on thewepart of that sentence. My smile rivals Pete’s as we walk back to the car and drop the back seats down to fit the tree in.
I don’t remember when I last felt this happy with life.
I’m struck by a different emotion all together as we get in and Reed says, “Come on, let’s go home. I believe you have a promise to keep.”
Why yes, yes I do.
REED
The drive homefrom the Christmas tree farm seems to take far longer on the way back. With the kiss we shared lingering on my lips, I can’t wait to get Jerry alone so we can do it again and again, preferably without an audience this time.
But the longer it takes, the more time I have to second-guess everything.
Should we be doing this? Probably not.
Is it a good idea to get involved with Jerry when I’ve just moved in as his lodger? Definitely not.
Am I still going to do it?
Jerry chooses that moment to glance over at me, the heat in those gorgeous brown eyes of his making my breath catch. How long has it been since someone looked at me like that? Like I’m the best thing he’s ever seen and he can’t wait to get his hands on me. It sparks a fire inside me, incinerating all the doubts threatening to put a stop to whatever it is happening here.
For now, at least.
I’m sure there’ll be plenty of time later to rue my bad decisions, but right this minute, I’m going to bask in the feeling of being wanted by a man as wonderful and fucking hot as Jerry.
It’s a heady feeling, one I want to hold on to for as long as I can, because I’vemissedit. I didn’t realise how much until he looked me in the eye and said, “I want to kiss you.” It is hands down one of the best moments of the last year and I selfishly want to feel more of it.
So I’m not going to think about the consequences of what we’re about to do. Yeah, we should probably talk about what’s happening here, but I can guarantee that is the last thing we’ll be doing when we get back to Jerry’s and through that front door.
We’re both consenting adults here.
And friends.
I like to think we can navigate this and not ruin anything. I guess we’re about to find out, because when Jerry turns the engine off, I realise with a jolt that we’re home.
I hook a thumb over my shoulder, gesturing to the tree. “Should we get that?—”
