‘No one I’m interested in, though.’ There was something in the way he looked at her as he said it, that same intense stare as earlier when he’d complimented her. Another shiver rippled through her, and it wasn’t caused by the wind this time. ‘Bloody hell, you’re freezing!’ Harry exclaimed. He jumped up and held out his hand. ‘Come on.’
Kat took his hand, expecting him to lead her inside. When he turned towards the patio, she dragged her feet. ‘Where are we going?’
‘To warm you up.’ He tugged her into a small free space in amongst the swaying couples and put his arms around her. It was like being enveloped by a huge hot water bottle and Kat immediately snuggled into the warmth of his chest with a sigh. ‘Better?’ he asked, his breath hot against her ear.
‘Much.’ A low chuckle rumbled beneath her cheek and Harry began to move in slow, easy circles. The wool of his jumper was soft against her skin and she pressed her face closer with a happy sigh as the heat of his body soaked into hers, chasing the chill of the evening air away. He smelled delicious, fresh and fruity with a spicy edge, like a mug of mulled cider. She wanted to drink him in. Her eyes flew open and she jolted away from his body.
‘What’s the matter?’
Grateful for the darkness to hide her blushes, Kat risked a quick glance up at Harry. ‘Sorry, I stepped on my own toe.’ It was a pathetic excuse but better than admitting the truth about how much she was enjoying being held by him. She should really put a stop to this, but if she made a scene it would only rouse suspicion. Kat took a deep breath to calm her racing heart and rested her cheek back against his chest. They shuffled a few more steps and Kat focused on the couples around them – anything to avoid thinking about how tempted she was to snuggle back against him.
Chloe and Adam were a few feet away, but there was more distance between them than before and they seemed to be more interested in whatever they were talking about than actually dancing.
On the other side of the patio, Issy and Liam were locked together, oblivious to anyone else as they swayed from side to side. Kat sighed as she watched them. She was happy they’dfound their way back together but their closeness only served to remind her of what was at the top of her priority list. ‘I really need to find somewhere else to live,’ she muttered half under her breath.
She didn’t realise Harry must’ve heard her until he paused mid-step. ‘Tired of playing gooseberry?’
She leaned back to meet his amused gaze. ‘Just a bit. I spent the last couple of days at home to give them some space now they’re back from New York but I can’t face going back there permanently.’ She sighed again. ‘Issy says she doesn’t mind, but as much as I like your brother, if I walk into the bathroom and see his bare bum again the embarrassment will kill me.’
Harry laughed out loud at that and Kat found herself reluctantly joining in. His amusement faded and his expression turned thoughtful. ‘You could always move in with me.’
Kat couldn’t believe her ears. Had Harry really just suggested they move in together? ‘Excuse me?’
He shrugged. ‘It’s just an idea. You’re clearly in a bind and there’s a spare room since Carmel moved out. She’s already trained me not to leave the toilet seat up so you wouldn’t even have to worry about that.’
Good to know, but it was the least of her worries. ‘And what happens when you want to entertain someone? I don’t want to walk out of one awkward situation and into another.’ At least she knew Liam; the idea of bumping into some random date of Harry’s on the landing didn’t fill her with delight.
Harry shook his head. ‘You’re confusing me with Ed. I work, I sleep, I get up and I go back to work again. I’m not interested in anything casual and I don’t have the time or the energy to invest in anything more serious.’
His candour was refreshing. ‘I didn’t mean to imply anything…’
‘No, it’s good to talk about stuff like this, lay out some ground rules. We each agree not to bring anyone else back.’
‘The odds on me having someone to bring back are even less than yours,’ Kat scoffed. ‘I can’t imagine anything nicer than living on my own. Are you sure you want to share again after having the place to yourself?’
‘It’s been a bit weird since Carmel moved out, actually. I got used to having someone around the place. You’d have plenty of time on your own, though, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’ll be at work most of the time when you’re home and vice versa, so you’d have the evenings to yourself.’ He lifted one shoulder. ‘Hey, it’s no big deal but I thought I’d make the offer. If you’re not comfortable sharing with… a man, I get it.’
She didn’t miss the hesitation and she wondered if he’d originally been going to say not comfortable sharing with him specifically. She might have been a bit intimidated by him when they were kids but she knew in her heart he was a good man and trustworthy to his very bones. She placed a reassuring hand on his chest. ‘It’s absolutely not that, Harry, I promise. You’ve just taken me by surprise, that’s all.’And there’s the small matter of this weird crush I’ve suddenly developed on you…
He stared down at her hand for a moment before covering it with his own. ‘You’re still cold. Let’s go inside and find a drink and you can have a think about it.’
As he led her away from the makeshift dancefloor, the music changed to something lively and most of the couples separated to match their moves to the upbeat tempo. As she followed Harry towards the kitchen, Kat cast a glance back over her shoulder, mulling over his offer. If there was a downside, she couldn’t think what it could be. Uncaring of the music change, Issy and Liam were still wrapped up in each other’s arms. Having the flat to themselves would give them the privacy they needed and it would mean Kat could stay away from her parents’house without feeling guilty. And as Harry had pointed out, their work schedules were pretty much opposite, so that would give them both plenty of space.
Evenings to herself.
It was an intoxicating thought. Those few days of peace and quiet over Christmas had been blissful. What would weeks of that, months of that be like? Time and space to figure everything out… Anya and Rick were taking the next step in building their family, Issy and Liam were reunited, Anya and Chloe had their new design business, Liam had the hotel… so many bright futures. They were all moving on with their lives, growing up, taking chances while Kat had been stuck in second gear.
As Harry paused to hold open the back door for her, she smiled up at him. ‘When can I move in?’
9
Harry blinked in surprise at the question. He honestly hadn’t expected Kat to accept his offer, hadn’t really thought through the implications of making it. She’d just sounded so sad and desperate he’d wanted to make her feel better. He shoved a hand through his hair as he tried to get his brain working. ‘Umm, whenever you like.’
Kat’s eyes widened. ‘Oh, you didn’t mean it, did you? You were just trying to be nice.’ A flush reddened her cheeks and she turned away abruptly. ‘Forget it, Harry. I’ll sort something out.’
He reached for her without thinking, his hand locking around her arm, feeling the thinness of it. She’d been so slight against him when they’d been dancing, like even a hint of a breeze would carry her away. That protective instinct roared back into life. Someone needed to look after Kat, because she clearly hadn’t been looking after herself. ‘Tomorrow. You can move in tomorrow, first thing.’ Hadn’t he promised the juniors he’d sort out the kitchen though? ‘Damn, not first thing because I need to clean up.’
‘If it’s that bad, maybe I don’t want to move in after all,’ Kat countered, but she was smiling as she said it.
