When the door closes behind her, I stand too. “You want to join me for a drink?” I gesture to the pub. “It should’ve calmed down a bit in there by now.”
He draws his bottom lip between his teeth, considering, and I’m starting to think it’s ayesuntil his shoulders sag and he sighs. “Thanks, but I think I’m just going to go to bed. Seb’s picking me up just after eight tomorrow, and I don’t want to feel like shit for the drive home.”
I want to ask where home is, but I don’t. As nice as this little distraction has been, we’re still strangers, and that seems too personal, especially when Charlie looks like he’s done with whatever this is.
“Oh,” he says, lifting his hands. “I should give you?—”
“Keep them.” I wrap my hands around his, stilling him. “I’ve got plenty more.”
I’ve got about two inches on him height-wise, and he looks up at me, that same warm smile directed my way.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
He tugs his hands back and laughs when I startle, forgetting I still had ahold of them.
“Sorry.” I shove my hands in my pockets.
“Well.” He toes the ground, kicking a stray stone. “I’m gonna head up to my room.” He aims his thumb over his shoulder. “It was good to meet you, Pete.”
“You too.” I debate saying more.Fuck it. It’s not like I’ll ever see him again. “You made a shitty night not so shitty.”
He laughs again, his smile lighting up his whole face. “Same.” Moving too quickly for me to react, he leans up and kisses my cheek. “Bye, Pete.”
“Bye.”
My skin burns where he kissed me, or that’s how it feels, anyway. I reach up and touch my cheek. I wish it’d been my mouth instead.
For fuck’s sake, he only broke up with his boyfriend this morning.
I can’t leave it there though.
“Charlie?” I call, waiting until he glances back over his shoulder. “Your boyfriend’s a fucking idiot. Anyone would be lucky to spend New Year’s Eve with you.”
Looking at him now, once again lit by the muted glow of the tree lights, I can’t imagine anything better.
“Thank you.” He gives me one last breathtaking smile and then heads inside, instantly swallowed up by the crowd.
I feel oddly sad to see him go, considering I didn’t know he existed half an hour ago, but something tells me Charlie’s the type of guy who leaves an impression.
If only he didn’t live miles away.
Well, I’m assuming he does, since I never asked.
I sigh, wishing we’d had more time.
The wind picks up, cold and sharp, reminding me I’ve been out here too long.
I should go inside too. I’m starting to feel the cold even through the thick layers of my coat. I don’t want to though. Chatting with Charlie, however brief, has been the highlight of my New Year’s Eve, and I don’t want to ruin that by going back inside and being jealous of my friends all over again.
That’s not who I am or who I want to be.
It has also reaffirmed what I’d already been thinking. I need to meet new people, preferably ones who aren’t just passing through. And that’s not going to happen if I don’t make it happen.
I shoot Sadie a text, letting her know I’m leaving. Alone, I tell her when she inevitably asks.
Tomorrow will be better.
