“Rules are rules.”
Like I’d argue with that.
With the outside Christmas tree bathing him in beautiful festive light, I kiss Charlie under a sprig of mistletoe and make my first resolution of the New Year.
Well, it’s more of a wish than a resolution, but who cares.
This time next year, I want to be back here, kissing Charlie in what I’m forever going to think of as our spot. Except he won’t have to leave three days later, because he’ll already be home.
With me.
And our dog.
And maybe another, because one dog is never enough.
But we can decide thattogether.
And that’s the most important part.
CHARLIE
One Year later. . .
I hear dogs barking outside,signalling Pete’s return from their walk, and I go out to meet him and maybe hurry him up a little.
“We’re gonna be so late—oh wow.” I bite my lip to hold in laughter. “What happened to you?”
Pete raises an eyebrow, probably the only thing on him that’s not covered in muddy snow. “What does it look like?”
“Erm...” My gaze drops to the two equally filthy dogs sat obediently at his feet. Like they aren’t the reason Pete is covered head to toe in what looks like half the field behind his house. I look at Cooper. “Was it you?” He wags his tail, tongue lolling out, the picture of innocence. I turn my attention to our latest addition, a black lab mix, and grin. He’s looking anywhere but at me, tail not moving an inch. “Was it you, Jax?” He finally turns those big brown eyes on me, and I’m putty in his filthy, mud-covered paws. “Of course not. You’re such a good boy.” His tail starts going, gaining traction as I bend down to fuss them both.
Pete snorts. “Pushover.”
“Like you’re any better.” I poke at his filthy trousers. “Bet you didn’t even tell them off.”
He ignores me and bends down to fuss each dog in turn, spending a little more time on Jax. We’ve only had him for three months and he’d had a rough time before that. He and Cooper are inseparable though, which is the best thing ever.
“We’re gonna be late,” I tell him again. We’re meeting the others for food first. For the first time in I’m not sure how long, Pete’s excited for New Year’s Eve at the pub. That’s what Sadie told me last week when we met them for Christmas Eve drinks. And Pete’s said much the same, just not in those exact words.
He might not blame me, but last year was my fault. If I’d got my arse in gear earlier, he could’ve had this then. But I’m here now, and we’re not missing it for anything.
“I need a shower.”
I laugh. “No shit.”
“Wanna join me?”
Never going to say no to that. But I might give him a head start. “Go get rid of some of that mud while I take care of these two hooligans.”
We both stand, and I’m not quick enough when Pete grabs me and pulls me in for a kiss. I get lost in the warmth of his mouth until I remember the state of him and wrestle free. Too late though; I’ve got muddy handprints on my arms and smears of it wherever we touched. “You arsehole,” I say laughing.
“Don’t be long, or we’ll be late.” He grins, dancing out of the way when I try and swat his arse, and disappears inside, leaving me to get the dogs sorted.
After hosingthem both down and settling them in the kitchen, I make my way to the stairs and pause at the bottom to admire the decorations. We’ve gone a little overboard this year. I guess both of us wanted to make it that bit more special since it was our first Christmas living together.
I moved in four months ago. A little later than I’d hoped—the initial sale of my flat fell through—but I think those extra few months getting to know each other gave us the solid foundation we needed to take that next step.
And I’ve been looking forward to Christmas season ever since.
