It almost hurts to move when his arms slowly drop away.
“Thank you for letting me stay here.”
“It’s my pleasure. Thank you for trusting me.” His smile makes his eyes crinkle. “Night, Charlie. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Night.” Would it be so wrong of me to ask him to stay? I’m so, so tempted, but the situation is uncertain enough that I bite my tongue. He’s got the door open, one foot outside, when I suddenly remember. “Wait.”
He turns, one eyebrow raised expectantly.
“I have something for you.”
Something like disappointment flashes in his eyes, but he schools his expression quickly. I ignore the flare of want in my chest and hurry back into the bedroom where I left my bags.Finding what I need, I walk back out, hoping this isn’t going to cause more disappointment. “Here. I believe I promised this to you.” I hold the paperback out to him. It’s a little worn around the edges, but he takes it like it’s the most precious thing he’s ever been given.
A look of wonder replaces the disappointment, his smile huge as he drinks in the cover of my very first published book. “Thank you.”
“Bear in mind, it’s the first one, and I hope I’ve improved since then.” I feel fidgety and out of sorts, like I’ve just handed him my firstborn instead of a book. Part of me wants to snatch it back and pretend this never happened. The rest of me desperately wants him to love it, and I’m now realising how badly this could go. I don’t think Pete would be cruel if he didn’t like it, but I’ll be gutted. Even though I know you can’t please everyone.
I don’t want to, though. I only want to please Pete.
He looks up at me, eyes dancing, alight with something new that I can’t quite read. “I’m going to start it tonight.”
Oh god.
“Great.”
He laughs at how strangled that comes out. “Night, Charlie.”
“Night.”
The door shuts with a soft snick, and I lean against the counter feeling both nervous excitement and mild terror.
Pete is going to read my book.
I am never going to sleep tonight.
My phone ringsa little over an hour after Pete left, and I roll my eyes at Seb’s name. I settle on the sofa as I answer, sinking into the cushions. “Hey.”
Seb’s gaze darts behind me.
“I’m alone.”
“Disappointing. But can’t say I’m surprised.” He smirks. “Still can’t believe you actually took him up on his offer to stay with him.”
I sigh and Seb laughs, the wanker. “I’m not staying with him.”
“How close are you to his house?”
“That’s not the point.”
He laughs again, and try as I might, I can’t fight the smile that sound always evokes.
“Fuck off,” I grumble, but it lacks heat. I let my head fall back with a groan. “Should I have just gone to the lodge for a night and come home in the morning?”
“No.” Seb’s voice is sterner than I’m used to hearing from him, and I hold my phone up so I can see his face. “I like him, from what I’ve seen.” He points a finger at me. “You like him.”
“I do.Arse.”
“Does he know about your writing?”
