“I guess I did.”
“Yes, me and my sister have a Christmas tree farm, but we also have a garden centre too.”
Yeah, I can see him doing that.
“Is that why you were chopping wood? For the garden centre?” I can’t believe I brought that up again, but honestly, it’s not a sight I’m going to forget any time soon.
“Nah, that was for Sadie. My sister.” Pete sits back in his seat and crosses his arms so that his muscles bulge. I grin at him because I know he did that on purpose.
The pub door opens, catching my attention as people spill out laughing and hugging each other. It breaks the tension that’s built between us, and Pete’s sigh signals our lunch date’s coming to an end.
“Sorry, I need to get back to work.”
“Yeah, me too.”
He taps the steering wheel, looking like he wants to say something else, but doesn’t.
“Thanks for lunch.”
“My pleasure.”
I want to ask to see him again, but I’m not sure I should. I’m about to tell him goodbye when he flashes that soft smile at me again. It slides under my defences every time.
“I know you don’t want to start anything. But I like you, Charlie. I like spending time with you. Asfriends,” he adds, when I open my mouth. “It’s not often I meet someone new living out here, and I’d like to see you again before you go back. If you’re up for it?”
No.
Warning signs flash in bright neon because this is the worst idea. I don’t want to get attached to him and then have to leave it all behind. Then I want to slap myself because I’ve met up with him twice. He’s offering friendship, nothing more. This is probably all in my head.
“Yeah,” I hear myself say. “I’m up for that.”
That soft smile widens until his blue eyes crinkle, and my traitorous heart stutters.
Oh Charlie.
What have you done?
PETE
“I hear you had a date yesterday?”Sadie leans against the side of her car, one eyebrow raised. “How come I’m the last to know?”
I roll my eyes. “You’re not the last to know. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I had to find out from Lucy.”
“She only knew because she served us.” I hate how gossip travels around here sometimes. I had lunch with Charlie, that’s all. Nothing to get all excited about. The fact that it ended up being the best part of my day is neither here nor there. “Anyway, it wasn’t a date. We’re just friends.”
“Mhmm.” She follows me into the makeshift office at the Christmas tree farm.
We’re both working here this morning before Sadie goes over to the garden centre in the afternoon. It’s still early, we’re not opening for another forty minutes, so we’ve got the place to ourselves for now.
“Lucy said the two of you looked all cosy.”
“Bollocks.” I flick the kettle on and pop a couple of tea bags in the travel mugs we keep here. “Now you’re just fishing.”
Sadie comes to stand next to me and nudges her shoulder against mine. “Does it have to be just friends though?”
“Yes.”
