“Fuck’s sake, Jer.” Sean grabs me and pulls me into another hug that I need almost as much, and I close my eyes, letting him ease the ache inside me. “You need to talk to him.”
“I know.”
“Soon. Because it’s not fair on either of you to keep doing what you’re doing when your feelings have changed.”
I groan. “I hate it when you’re right.”
He laughs as he steps back. “You should be used to it by now, surely.”
I don’t get to reply to that, because a door opens and voices filter in as Reed and Vic come back inside. Nails clatter along the floor as the dogs race back in and Sean leaves me to go see Vic, but not before giving me a pointed look.
I know I need to talk to Reed. I’ve known it for a while, but Christmas Eve is not the time to do it. So I smile when Reed walks into the hallway, heart clenching when his answering smile is a little hesitant.
“Okay?” he asks quietly, walking towards me.
“Yeah,” I reach for his hand as he gets closer. “I’m sorry... about before.”
Reed smirks. “You mean when you held my hand?”
He doesn’tlookpissed off, but I still feel guilty. “It was an accident. I forgot for a second...” I trail off, because he’s smiling. “What?”
“I’m pretty sure both SeanandVic know we’re together.”
My belly does a traitorous swoop at the wordtogether, even though I know he doesn’t mean it like I want him to.
“So you holding my hand isn’t a big deal, Jerry.” He looks down at our joined hands, where I’ve wrapped my fingers tight round his. I didn’t even realise I’d done it. “I like it.”
Hope flares bright and bold, sweeping through me like a warm wave. Maybe I’m not alone in this... maybe?—
“Another drink?” Vic pops his head around the kitchen door, looking between us. “Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Reed tugs my hand. “You’re not, we were just coming.”
I let Reed lead me back into the kitchen, his hand still clutched in mine, and I don’t let go for the rest of the night.
REED
We get a lift home.There aren’t really any taxis this time on Christmas Eve, not that it’s all that late, but we’re out in the sticks. I wave at Hailey as she drives away, a bemused smile on my face, still not used to the way everyone seems to rely on each other here.
“All right?” Jerry asks, his hand finding mine again, like it has ever since I told him it was okay.
I wasn’t lying when I said I liked it.
I close my fingers around his. “Yeah.”
We turn towards the house and I stop in my tracks, because it’s a sight that needs a moment’s appreciation. It’s not the first time I’ve seen Jerry’s house all lit up, but it’s Christmas Eve, the night is crisp, clear, and just... magical.
“Wow,” I breathe.
Jerry hums in agreement and we stand and watch the lights on his outside Christmas tree slowly fade in and out. He knocks his shoulder against mine. “Come on. Let’s go inside.”
As usual, we’re greeted by happy barks and less-than-impressed meows, which never fails to amuse me. Cats are such arseholes.
Jerry leads them all into the kitchen to feed them while I take my time slipping out of my boots and hanging up my coat.
Something about tonight feels different, and I don’t mean just because it’s Christmas Eve. Maybe that’s part of it, but something’s changed between me and Jerry. I can feel it.
Maybe it should scare me, but it doesn’t. And I’m not too fussed about examining why right now, because Jerry’s leaning against the kitchen doorjamb, watching me.
