I glance up and see the skylights in the roof. Nudging Pete, I ask, “They’re not gonna leak, are they?” The rain has stopped for now, but more is forecast overnight.
Pete huffs. “No. The whole thing is only a couple of years old, remember.” He unlocks the door and goes inside, wiping his feet on the mat.
“Wow.” When he said he’d advertised it for let on Airbnb, I should’ve realised what that meant. I stand in the doorway, mouth open as I look around the tastefully decorated space that is—no offence to Hailey, because the pub is wonderful—so much more welcoming than any hotel room. “It’s lovely.”
Pete beams, and it’s such a good look on him, I momentarily forget all about the annexe. “Thanks.” He kicks off his shoes, so I do the same. “Mum decorated it.”
“She’s got great taste.”
The front door leads straight into the main living space. Off to the right, there’s a two-seater sofa, an armchair, and a coffee table, all facing a wall-mounted TV. There’s also a small tablewith two chairs and a kitchen area. It’s cosy, warm, and inviting, and I smile, so glad I took him up on his offer.
“Through there is the bathroom,” Pete says, pointing over to the left, “And the bedroom’s next to it.” He walks into the kitchen area and opens the fridge and smiles. “I’m going to need to buy Sadie an extra big present this year.” He opens the fridge door wider so I can see inside.
It’s stocked with milk, bacon, eggs, orange juice, and cheese. “She didn’t have to go to all that trouble, but I’m very grateful.” I hadn’t even considered that I’d need to get the basics before coming here.
Pete closes the door and pulls a sticky note off it. “There’s also tea, coffee, and sugar in the jars on the counter, butter in the dish, and a loaf of bread here.” He turns and points to a bread bin on the worktop.
“You’ll have to let me know how much I owe her. And how much I’ll owe you for the week.”
He waves a hand, like it doesn’t matter. “We can discuss that tomorrow.” He sighs and rubs the back of his neck.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just...” He looks up at me, smile wry. “I didn’t think you’d have any food, so I was going to offer to cook you breakfast in the morning.”
Oh.
Now I’m disappointed too. But...“Why don’t you come here, and I’ll cook it for you?”
He looks shocked for all of two seconds before his expression softens, and his smile this time is wide and happy. “That would be lovely. I need to leave early though. We open at nine am and I have to be there just after eight.”
“No problem. I have a lot I need to get done tomorrow, so that works for me.”
“Okay, then. I’ll be round about seven?”
“Perfect.”
We stand watching each other.
I want to touch him, kiss him, at the very least hug him goodnight, but will that be weird now I’m effectively his tenant?
Pete sighs. “I don’t want things to be awkward between us.”
“Me neither.”
They are though. There’s no avoiding that.
His gaze drops to my mouth and my heart skips a beat.
Thank fuck it’s not just me thinking things they shouldn’t.
“Can I give you a hug?”
The intensity in his gaze steals my words for a second.
I’m not convinced that’s what he was going to ask me, but I’m not brave enough to call him on it. Not now. “Yeah,” I say softly, stepping forward. “I’d like that.”
He doesn’t hesitate to open his arms, tightening them around me when I sink into his hug. Fuck me, it’s just as all-consuming as the last time he hugged me. I feel so fucking safe surrounded by his warmth and his strength, and he smells so good. I close my eyes, milking this moment for all it’s worth.
