We smile at each other, probably looking like idiots to anyone watching, and then our smile-off is interrupted by the arrival of my food. My stomach rumbles embarrassingly loud. Pete snorts and the server grins.
“Good job the portions are big,” Pete says, gesturing at the enormous plate of fish and chips being set before me.
I can’t disagree with him, because we all heard how hungry I am.
When the server leaves, Pete takes a small step back. “Well, I’ll leave you to your dinner. I only wanted to come say hello.”
There’s an awkward pause.
I’m not ready for him to go, but he’s come here with friends, and besides, I don’t want him to sit and watch me eat. “Um...” I say at the same as his, “So...”
“You first,” I offer, hoping we’re thinking along the same lines.
Pete takes a deep breath, like he needs to build himself up to say whatever he’s going to say. “Do you fancy joining me for a drink when we’ve eaten?”
Ishouldgo back upstairs after I’ve finished. I left a chapter halfway through, and I want to get it done before I go to bed. Pete’s smile dims, and the words fall out. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
Written words can wait.I’ll just have a late night. It’s not like I have to be up early.
“Oh.” He blinks like I’ve taken him by surprise, then his smile slowly widens until his eyes sparkle with it. “I’ll see you in a bit then.” He glances over his shoulder to where the two blokes he came with are pretending not to watch us. “I’ll be over there with the two most unsubtle people in here.” He rolls his eyes and I laugh. “Bye, Charlie. Enjoy your dinner.”
“Bye.”
He turns and leaves, and I watch him go. The view from the back is almost as good as the front. His dark jeans hug a pair of thighs that look solid and strong, and his coat skims the top of his arse, giving me enough of a hint that it’s probably as firm as his thighs.
Yeah, I’m in no rush to head back upstairs now.
PETE
It’s inviting trouble,but I’ve got no hope of hiding my smile as I head towards the table where Sean and Vic are waiting. My cheeks are aching by the time I reach them but fuck it. I don’t care.
Those few minutes chatting with Charlie have been the highlight of my week. Probably my month, actually. I thought I’d built up our New Year’s encounter to more than it was, but if anything, I’d underestimated the effect he has on me.
Maybe it’s the fact he’s new and exciting, I’m not inclined to analyse why he makes my insides dance about like bees are in there. Or why my heart thumps louder and I feel lighter than I have in ages. I’m going to enjoy it for what it is. Even if we only talk, it’s a refreshing change from my usual routine.
“Well?” Vic doesn’t even bother to hide the fact he was watching. At least Sean’s pretending to look at the menu.
I roll my eyes as I sit down. “Well what? I said I was going over to say hello. And that’s what I did.”
Vic’s eyes narrow. “That was a long hello.“
“Leave him alone,” Sean cuts in, and I’m about to thank him when he adds, “Did you get his number?”
“No?” Should I have done? The thought never actually occurred to me, but now I’m second-guessing whether he was expecting me to ask for it. “He didn’t ask for mine either, though.” Maybe because he doesn’t want it.
Vic sighs. “Pete. I might not know you as well as Sean and Jerry do, but I want to see you happy or at least have some fun. And that guy—” He nods in Charlie’s direction. “—has fun written all over him.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“He almost swallowed his tongue when he saw you shirtless.” I’m about to protest, but he holds up his hand and turns to Sean. “Am I wrong?”
Sean shakes his head. “Nope. He looked about two seconds away from climbing you like a tree.”
That makes me laugh. “Yeah, right.”
“Do you ever look in a mirror, Pete?” Vic tsks. “I’m not sure you do, because you have this whole hot, rugged lumberjack vibe going on, and I’m almost positive Charlie’s into it.”
I open my mouth but nothing comes out. I’m not blind; I know I’m not unattractive, but to hear Vic spell it out like that makes me duck my head in embarrassment. I can feel the flush creeping up my neck to my cheeks as I confess, “Thanks, but it’s not my looks that are the problem.” God, I can’t believe I admitted that out loud, but I want to cut off their matchmaking before they can get invested.
