“What? No.” I blush just thinking about it. I thought we were avoiding that topic by mutual silent agreement, but I guess not. “Because we’ve already met up this week.”
His frown melts away, replaced by a softer expression. “I’d still like you to join us on Friday. If you want to?”
“Yeah,” I say before I can talk myself out of it. “I’d love to.” His answering smile is huge and lovely, and I get lost in it for a second.
“Great.” His gaze drops to my mouth, like it did on our walk. I’m moments from leaning in for a kiss when he takes a step back, putting distance between us. “I want to,” he says softly, rocking back on his heels. “You have no idea how much.”
I huff out a laugh. “Pretty sure I do.” I don’t reach for him, though, and he stays where he is.
“If I kiss you again, I’m going to want more. I’m going to ask if we can go up to your room. And neither of us want that.” The heat in his eyes suggests otherwise, and I’m on the verge of saying,fuck the consequences, when the pub door opens and Hailey comes out.
“Hey, I thought that was you. I was just—” She catches sight of Pete and stops. “Shit, am I interrupting? I’ll catch you in aminute.” She turns and hurries back inside without waiting for an answer.
Pete scrubs a hand through his hair, already backing away towards his car. “I should get back. I’m heading over to Sadie’s for tea soon.”
I raise an eyebrow. “So you couldn’t have come up even if I’d invited you.”
He leans on the open passenger door, fixing me with such a heated look that I no longer feel the cold. “If you’d asked, there is nothing that would’ve stopped me.”
Come up.
It’s on the tip of my tongue.
He knows it too, because he doesn’t move, waiting me out. It’d be oh so good. There’s no denying we have chemistry. That kiss was proof enough, not that I needed any.
But nothing’s changed.
This is Pete’s life, and I’m just passing through.
I offer him a sad smile. “Have a lovely evening.”
“You too.” He gives me a hot, lingering look before ducking inside his car.
I stay rooted to the spot, watching him drive away. It’s only when I open the pub door and the heat hits me, I realise I forgot to give him his coat back.
Unlike his gloves, I don’t think I can keep it.
I want to though.
I want to do a lot of things I know I shouldn’t.
My phone ringswith a FaceTime call as I’m unlocking my door. I know who it is without having to look. My mum’s the onlyother person who calls me regularly and she still refuses to use FaceTime.
Sure enough Seb’s name’s flashing on the screen. I shrug my coat off as I answer, draping it over the back of the chair. “Hey.” I smile at him when it connects.
“You’re alive!” He throws a hand in the air.
I roll my eyes. “Fuck off. I spoke to you Monday.”
“Yes, but you’ve ignored all my texts this afternoon.”
“Have I?” I check my notifications and huff. “You sent me two.”
“And you ignored them.”
I settle on the bed, shoving a pillow behind my back to get comfy. As soon as I tell him where I’ve been, he’s going to get chatty. “I was out walking. With Pete.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Ooh. And?”
