Pete smiles fondly at her, then ruffles her hair, while I’m stuck there wishing that I’d kissed him instead.
“How are you liking the annexe, Charlie?”
It takes me a second to realise she’s asked me a question, and really, where the fuck are my manners? My mum would be horrified. “It’s lovely. And thank you so much for coming out in that rain and setting it all up for me. And for stocking the kitchen.”
Her smile widens. “It was my pleasure.” Her gaze darts between the two of us, and it’s only then I realise I’ve gravitated closer to Pete.
So close we’re almost touching. And still right under that mistletoe.
“I’m actually off to Tesco now. It’s a bit of a trek but so much cheaper. Want me to pick anything up for you?”
I do. I’ve been so busy working on my book, I’ve only nipped out to the local shops. But I can’t ask her to do my shopping too.
She reaches over and squeezes my shoulder, reading me easily. “I wouldn’t have offered if I minded. I’m going there anyway, so you might as well give me a list, save you having to make the trip. When you’ve obviously got better things to be doing.” She says that last bit with a smirk, then turns to Pete. “You come to get your tree?”
“Yeah.”
When her eyes meet mine again, there’s a light to them as she obviously realises we’re picking it together. “Lovely.” Her smile is warm as she adds, “I already put your wreath and some bits in a bag over there.” She turns and points to a white plastic bag propped on the table. “And Charlie, send me your list. I’ll drop your food off on my way back. Or Pete’s if you’re not in.”
Oh.
If the next few hours play out like I’m hoping they do, then hopefully I’ll be naked somewhere in Pete’s house. And I don’t want his sister walking in on that. Pete stiffens next to me, and I wonder if he’s thinking the same.
Sadie must also have a key to the annexe since she turned everything on for me before. “You can let yourself into my place if I’m not there. If that’s okay?”
“You sure? I don’t mind leaving them with Pete.”
“It’s fine,” Pete and I say at exactly the same time.
My cheeks flame but I can’t look at him or I’ll laugh.
“Okaay.” Sadie doesn’t even try to hide the fact that she’s laughing at the pair of us. “I’ll leave your food in your fridge and will not, underanycircumstances, go into Pete’s house.”
Kill me now.
“Have a lovely day, boys.”
I can hear her laughing all the way to her car.
“Fuck’s sake,” Pete grunts, and that sets me off. He knocks his shoulder against mine, grinning. “You know she thinks we’ll be having sex when she drops off your groceries.”
I sober and face him, hoping the heated look I send his way tells him that I’m very much on board with that idea. “And she’ll be right, yes?”
He swallows thickly, gaze never leaving mine. “Yeah.” It’s low and gravel-rough, and that one word skitters down my spine like a heated touch. Fingers brush the back of my hand, then curl around it as Pete shifts to stand in front of me. “Ready to help me pick a tree?”
“Quickly?”
Pete grins. “First one we see.”
“Let’s go.”
Before he can get out the door, I pull him back. “Wait.” I point above our heads. “Pretty sure the mistletoe gods aren’t gonna be happy with that kiss.”
“No?”
I shake my head and step closer, sliding my hands around his neck. I spare a quick glance outside. People are milling around choosing trees, but I think back here we’re covered enough in this spot. “We can do better.”
I kiss the smile off his face.
