The door to the pub bursts open, startling us both, and Sadie pops her head out. “There you are! Thought you’d fucked off home.”
“Nope. Still here.”
I see the exact moment she realises I’m not alone.
She smirks at me, then instead of going back inside like I want her to, she steps closer and lets the door swing shut. “Hi, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Sadie. Pete’s sister.” She sends him a wide, welcoming smile.
I groan on the inside.
“Charlie.” He smiles back at her while managing to look confused too.
This is not what you think it is, sis.
I can’t say that out loud, though.
“We just met,” I say instead, hoping to derail anything else that might embarrass us all. “Charlie came out for some fresh air too.”
Her gaze darts between the two of us, but thankfully, she seems to get what I’m trying to tell her. “Well, it’s certainly fresh. More like fucking freezing,” she adds under her breath, and Charlie laughs.
“Yeah, I didn’t realise how cold it’d be when I came out here.” He rubs his hands together, drawing attention to his gloves, and Sadie’s eyes narrow and then widen.
Arse.
Not surprising that she recognises the gloves I gave him, considering she bought them for me. They have little Christmas trees on them. She thought it was funny, considering what we do for a living. As if I don’t see enough of those fuckers this time of year.
“I should probably head back inside,” Charlie says after a too-long silence. He stands, straightening his clothes and wincing. “I think that bench is a bit damp.”
Probably.
He brushes the back of his jeans where his coat didn’t quite cover, and I can’t help but follow the movement because he’s practically stood in front of me.
It’s a nice arse.
Firm.
Round.
And not any of my business.
I snap my gaze up as Sadie speaks.
“Don’t leave on my account. I only popped out to check on Pete. I’m going back in now that I know he’s not out here wallowing in self-pity.”
Thanks, sis.
She laughs as I give her the finger.
“Nice meeting you, Charlie. Hope to see you around.”
“Um, nice to meet you too, but I’ll be leaving in the morning.”
Oh.
I’ve only just met him, but disappointment settles in my gut at the reminder that he’s not staying. Sadie glances between the two of us again before reaching for the door.
“Well, maybe we’ll see you back here again sometime.”
“Yeah,” he says, glancing around. “Maybe.”
