“Yeah, I told you that a lot has changed.” Pear Mill bustled with life.
We wandered hand in hand down the cobbled sidewalks and found plenty of cool shops and restaurants.
Noah bought a scented candle for his cottage, found a hand printed tablecloth that matched the blue dishes, and got all cute and excited when I steered him down a side street to an edgy little shop that sold the most amazing T-shirts.
“The Wanking Pony?” Noah giggled and nudged me with his shoulder. “Funniest name ever.”
“Pear Mill is full of these punny shop names. It’s the best.” I grinned and held the door open for him.
“Oh my God, Lew!” He gaped at all the hilarious shirts the dummies wore. “These are fucking amazing!”
The clerk, a tuxedo cat hybrid with about a thousand piercings, looked up. “Cheers, mate!” he called over with a wide grin.
Noah strolled over to the counter.
“It’s amazing. Also what you’ve done with the place. I love it.”
Are you flirting with him, Puppy? So what? It’ll be my cock inside him later.
“Thanks. I’m Jack, by the way, one of the owners. I appreciate it.”
He took the offered hand and shook it as I pretended to browse and not watch them in the full-length mirror next to me.
Noah introduced himself, and they talked about the shirts and being self-employed. I guessed they were both neurodivergent. Mads sniffed other NDs a mile against the wind.
“I am self-employed, too. I have an online business. On ArgoS, you know.”
“So you’re a social media influencer?” Jack’s impressed tone made Noah blush.
Mine!I only just managed to keep a snarl in.Oh, stop it! You’re such a possessive asshole.
“Yeah. I usually live in Bali. I’m here to get my visa renewed,” he explained.
“Oh, cool. Although, winter in Scotland? I bet that’s way shittier than winter in Bali right?”
“Well, during the rainy season we get about as much rain as in Scotland, but you start to miss the cold after a while. That’s how I grew up, you know? And….” Noah’s voice trailed off and his gaze bored into my back as I flicked through the T-shirts.
“Scotland’s got its perks,” Jack supplied.
“Yeah.” My sweet puppy chuckled. “Scotland definitely has its perks.”
“Why don’t you pick a shirt you like for yourself and your boyfriend?”
“Are you sure?” Noah asked without contradicting the term.
His boyfriend.
I tried not to let it show that I’d heard him, but I preened.
Yes, yes, I am.
“Yeah, I’m sure. Maybe you could tag us when you post about it?”
“Of course I will. Thank you so much.”
I glanced around and saw Jack giving Noah a wide grin.
My canines are bigger. And you never stopped being jealous of everyone who dared to look at Noah, Lewis Sinclair.
