Jerry shakes his head quickly. “I don’t have plans. Well, I do, but—” he sighs and scrubs a hand over his face. “You’re not the only one who forgot to ask something.” He glances my way again. I’m the one who’s been blushing a lot lately, but now it’s Jerry’s turn to have pink cheeks. “You didn’t say you were going anywhere, so I kind of assumed you’d be here Christmas Day. And I bought a small turkey. And stuff.”
My smile is instant and huge because an embarrassed Jerry is an adorable Jerry. “What sort ofstuff?”
He shrugs, but studiously watches the road instead of looking my way. “Some nice red wine. Pigs in blankets, stuffing...” He finally glances at me. “And a Christmas pudding and brandy sauce.”
“No veg?” I ask, raising an eyebrow, because it’s not Christmas dinner without Brussel sprouts.
“I was going to pick that up in the week.” He clears his throat. “Sooo...”
I notice with a start that we’ve arrived at Sean’s house. Jerry parks, but neither of us make a move to get out.
I wait for him to continue, because this is his turn to talk. “So?” I prompt, when he just sits there.
I’m not prepared for him to turn in his seat and cradled my jaw with a gentle hand. It makes my breath catch and my heart race.
“Will you have Christmas dinner with me, Reed?” His voice is low, a little rough, and his gaze is so full of hope and longing I’m lost for words.
I could get used to being looked at like that. To someone wanting to spend time with me so badly and not even trying to hide it. “Yeah,” I finally whisper, hoping he can see how much I want that too. “I’d love to.” He leans closer, and just as I’m anticipating his kiss, a door closes and then loud barking pierces the air. Jen answers, making me jump. I’d forgotten she was even in the car.
Jerry sits back, but his hand lingers, stroking my jaw. “Later,” he murmurs, and there’s so much promise in that one word, I shiver. But then Sean appears in front of the car, and the moment’s gone.
We get our coats and gloves on and fetch Jen out of the back of the car. I pull on the hat Jerry gave me, not missing the way he smiles when he sees me in it.
“Ready?” Sean walks up beside me and claps me on the shoulder, two dogs on leads beside him.
“I’d forgot you’ve got two now.” The dogs in question bark again, well, more like excited yipping as Jen joins them, tugging Jerry along with her.
Sean grins. “The more the merrier.”
“If you say so.” I secretly think one dog is enough for me. I wouldn’t mind another cat though. Maybe when I’m in my new place, I’ll get Frank a playmate. I think of the way he is with Kyla and feel a twinge of sadness about taking him away from that soon.
I’ve not told Jerry, but I had a call yesterday from the estate agent. Apparently, someone’s going back for a second viewing this week. She said they seem really interested. I don’t know why I’ve not mentioned it. Well, maybe I do, but I don’t want to face that just yet.
“Come on.” Sean nudges me into walking, Jerry and Vic about ten paces ahead with all three dogs now off their leads. “You okay?”
I glance at him, frowning a little. “Yeah, why?”
“You seemed miles away just then.”
“Hmm...” Sean’s my friend, we’ve got closer since Christmas, and if it were anyone else I was sort of involved with, I’d probably talk to him about it. But Jerry’s his best friend. It feels a bit like the Karl situation all over again.
I sigh.
Fuck’s sake, Reed.It’s like history repeating itself.
That’s not fair though. There’s no long-lost ex in Jerry’s past, at least I don’t think there is, and probably more importantly—Jerry isn’t my boyfriend. My face must show what I’m thinking or give Sean a hint because he grasps my arm and slows me down, letting Vic and Jerry get far enough ahead that they can’t hear us.
“You’re my friend too, Reed. Like I told Jerry, anything you say to me will go no further, not if you don’t want it to.” It’s a repeat of what he’s told me before, and I trust him to mean it.
And I need to talk to someone. I could call Paul, but Sean’s here and he’s offering. “I think I’m about to get an offer on my house. It’s a strong possibility, anyway.”
Sean sighs. “I take it Jerry doesn’t know?”
“No. I only found out yesterday.” We both know that’s not why I haven’t told him.
“How do you feel about that?” he asks carefully.
“Pleased, obviously.” I chuckle, because I don’t sound all that thrilled.
