“You need to get that?” Charlie asks at the same time as he rolls his hips against mine.
And nope. I do not. “She can wait.”
He laughs as I divest him of his coat, letting it fall to the floor alongside his bag. I run my hands over his shoulders, his chest, familiarising myself with a body that I’ve thought about every day since he left.
He reaches for the hem of my T-shirt, sliding his hands underneath and over my bare skin. But the hall is draughty as fuck and I’m not sure if the shiver that arches my back is from his touch or the outside air finding a way in.
Reluctantly, I step back and grasp his hand. “Let’s go somewhere warmer than here.”
I’m debating between my bedroom and the living room when my phone starts up again. I sigh and glare at it, willing it to stop, but of course it doesn’t.
“Answer it,” Charlie urges. “It’s okay.”
I do, only because it’s Sadie and I know I hung up on her rather abruptly.
“Oh my god! Are you okay?” She yells as soon as the call connects.
Oh shit. I suddenly realise how it might have sounded from her end. “Sorry, Sadie, yeah I’m fine. Look.” I swing the camera around, figuring it’s easier just to show her rather than explain.”
Charlie smiles and waves. “All right?”
“Hello, Charlie.” I can hear the smile in her voice, and when I turn the camera back to me, she has a shit-eating grin a mile wide. “I definitely expect you at the pub now. No fucking excuses, Pete.”
I snort. Does she mean that literally, or . . . ?
“Ugh, mind out of the gutter.” She sniffs, and I notice that her eyes look suspiciously glassy. “And fine, you don’t have to come.” She smiles as a lone tear finally escapes. “But make sureyou watch the countdown, because you fucking deserve that New Year’s kiss.”
“Love you, sis.”
“Love you too.”
She hangs up and I turn to face Charlie.
“We can go if you want?” He offers, and I know he means it.
I want to.
Want to go to my local pub with my friends and family and finally not feel like I’m on the outside looking in.
“Yeah, I’d like that.” I hook a finger in his belt loops and tug him closer.
“Later, though, right?” His hands slide under my pyjamas this time and I suck in a breath.
“Much,muchlater.”
We arriveat the Charnwell Inn just before eleven, and since the rest of them have been there since around seven, we’re met with teasing laughter and catcalls.
I love every last second of it.
Because I’m not on my own this time. I’m walking in with Charlie, his hand warm in mine. My sister all but jumps on me, smothering me in hugs and kisses while my drunk friends greet Charlie like he’s been lost at sea.
It’s loud, sloppy, and glorious, and I don’t remember ever being this happy.
For once, I can relax, drink in hand, and welcome in the New Year with smiles and laughter instead of waiting for the right moment to duck out before the dreaded countdown begins.
At that first shout of TEN, I join in with everybody else.
NINE and EIGHT ring out as I search out Charlie.
