I sink back into the sofa as I read his message.
Charlie: Hey. How was your day selling Christmas to everyone?
I’m already smiling as I type back.
Pete: I don’t sell Christmas
Charlie: Sure you do. Christmas trees are the focal point of a home’s Christmas decorations. I bet yours looks amazing. Send me a pic
I grimace, feeling oddly guilty.
Pete: Haven’t got mine up yet
Charlie: What?? Surely it’s a prerequisite that you have yours up before everyone else?
That makes me laugh.
Pete: It’s Dec 2nd. We only opened to the public just over a week ago
Charlie: I keep forgetting it’s still early. Every time I go downstairs, it feels like it’s almost Christmas
Charlie: Send me a pic whenever you put yours up then
I bite my lip as I read his message. At this rate that might be when he’s already gone back. Will we still be doing this then?
I type my message three times before hitting Send.
Pete: And if it’s not until after the 13th?
His reply isn’t immediate like the others have been, and I know he’s picked up on what I haven’t said outright.
When he finally responds, I hold my breath as I open the message.
Charlie: I’ll still want to see it.
Warmth fills me with those six words. He wants to keep in touch after he leaves. Is that a good thing? I have no fucking idea. Probably not, if I’m being honest. But that’s a problem for future me. It also makes my decision about Friday easier.
Pete: I’m meeting some friends at your pub on Friday night. Want to join us and save me from being the fifth wheel again?
I hit Send, then worry it sounds like a date.
Pete: As friends, obviously
Charlie: Obviously
I can’t tell if he’s being sarcastic or serious or... Ugh, I hate texts sometimes.
Charlie: Yeah, I’d love to. But I was hoping we could get together before then. I’m going a little stir crazy
Oh.
I mentally check through the next couple of days.
Pete: Tomorrow works best for me. I can pick you up about 2pm and we’ll go for a walk. How does that sound?
Charlie: Cold. I didn’t bring a thick coat. Didn’t think I’d need one
Pete: I have plenty. I’ll bring you one
