Chapter 9 #2
“I’ll come with you.” I realise after I’ve said it that he might not want me with him, that what he wants to talk to her about could be private.
Before I can say any of that, he flashes me a warm smile. “Okay.”
I ignore the way that lights me up inside.
“Hailey,” Charlie calls. “Have you got a minute?”
She turns to face him, giving him her full, professional attention. “Of course, what can I do for you?”
He runs a hand through his hair and scratches the back of his neck. I have a sudden urge to put my arm around him.
I don’t, obviously, but I want to.
“I think there might be a leak in the skylight in my room. I felt a few drops when I was getting ready earlier.” As soon as he finishes speaking, there’s a loud crack of thunder and rain lashes the pub windows.
Looks like we’re in for another night of shit weather.
When I glance back at Hailey, she looks mortified for a second before smoothing out her expression. “I’m so sorry about that. I’ll get someone out to look at it as soon as possible. Hopefully while you’re at dinner.”
Normally I’d rate her chances of getting someone out here at this time as zero, but Char’s family own the holiday park up the road and more than one member of her family are responsible for the maintenance of it. Looks like she’ll be calling in a favour.
She glances at me. “Sean booked the big table in the corner. Why don’t you order drinks, on the house,” she adds, looking at Charlie now, “And I’ll get this sorted.”
“Thanks,” Charlie and I say at the same time, then head to the bar.
As soon as we’ve got our drinks, I lead Charlie over to the table Hailey mentioned. It’s got a great view of the Christmas tree I brought over for inside the pub, decorated in silver, red, and green this year, matching the rest of the pub.
Charlie grins as he takes his seat, not seeming bothered about the leak in his room. “I love it in here. It’s so warm and festive. Makes me feel all Christmassy.”
I glance from the tree to the bar covered in fairy lights, tinsel, and dark green and red garlands along the underside of it.
With a Christmas song playing in the background, I have to admit, it does evoke that feeling of Christmas spirit.
I’m surrounded by it all day, every day this time of year, and as the days roll on, I get immune to it.
Being here with Charlie gives me a fresh perspective.
It’s . . . nice.
I wish I could come up with a better word, but I’m not the author here. Which reminds me. “I thought you were going to let me read one of your books?” We’ve met up twice now and he still hasn’t produced it.
“Oh god, I did say that, didn’t I? Sorry, I forgot.” He looks genuinely apologetic, so I don’t think he’s been avoiding handing it over. “I get so wrapped up in my writing, I forget everything else.” His expression clouds. “Dan used to hate it.”
I reach for his hand without thinking. “Well, I’m not Dan. I understand getting caught up in your work. If you still want to lend it to me, then I’m more than happy to wait.”
That smile returns, softer this time, and there’s no mistaking the effect it has on me.
“Thank you.” His fingers tighten around mine, but he doesn’t let go, and neither do I. “I’ll get it for you later. Don’t let me forget this time.”
“I’ll try.” There’s no way I’m leaving here without that book. If he’s willing to show me a part of him that is obviously something incredibly private, then I’m going to grab that with both hands.
I ignore the warning bells going off in the back of my mind.
Unfortunately, we’re still holding hands when Jerry and Reed arrive, making their way towards our table. They’re both a little wet, and I subtly let go of Charlie while they’re occupied taking off their coats and moaning about the rain.
I think I’ve got away with it until I hear Sean’s voice.
“Evening. Nice weather out there.”
I shift in my seat, seeing him coming from the other direction, Vic lingering near the bar. Damn it. His eyes dip to my hand and I know he saw us. “Where did you two come from?”
A smirk plays on Sean’s lips. “Vic was helping Char with Emily while Hailey’s in here.”
I catch Charlie’s confused expression out of the corner of my eye but wait for Sean’s nod before filling him in.
“Emily is Hailey and Char’s daughter. Vic and Hailey were married when they were younger.
They share a son, Joe, who is about nineteen and away at uni, so that really doesn’t explain much. Duh.”
Sean laughs. “They’re all close is what Pete’s trying to say. Vic and Hailey are more like best friends now.”
“That’s nice,” Charlie says, clearly meaning it, and Sean beams at him.
“Yeah, I think so.”
I make formal introductions when Vic brings a tray of drinks over and everyone sits down. I don’t say anything about Charlie other than his name and the fact he’s staying at the pub. Which they already knew, of course, but whatever.
To their credit, they all treat him like they would any of their friends, and I start to relax once I realise no one’s going to comment on the fact that we’re sitting closer than friends normally do or that we were holding hands when they first arrived.
Our food comes, more drinks are ordered—soft ones for those of us driving—and I settle back in my seat, letting the conversation wash over me.
As much as I’m enjoying myself, I can’t escape from the ache deep inside my chest. The one that’s desperate for this to be real, to be my life full-time rather than a fleeting moment. For once, I’m not on the outside looking in as others laugh and enjoy the company of the person meant for them.
I know Charlie isn’t mine.
That he can’t be.
But as his knee brushes mine under the table and his gaze drifts my way, he certainly fucking feels like it.
We’re just paying for everything when I spot Hailey coming over, her expression promising nothing good.
“Charlie, could I talk to you in private for a moment, please?”
“Sure.”
“Actually, we were just about to head off,” Vic says, standing. Sean joins him, and Reed and Jerry do the same. “Nice to meet you, officially, Charlie. I hope we see you again before you leave.”
The others add similar sentiments, Sean and Jerry giving me pointed looks, which I ignore.
That leaves me, Charlie, and Hailey. I wanted a little longer alone with him, but I guess that’s not happening now. “Right.” I go to stand, but Charlie’s hand lands on my arm.
“It’s okay, you can stay.”
I raise my eyebrows. “You sure?”
“Yeah.” He flashes me that quick smile again before facing Hailey.
It makes me happier than it should.
“Is this about the leak?” Charlie asks, and Hailey winces.
That can’t be good.
“Yes. I’ve had someone out to look at it, and I’m afraid it’s got a lot worse in the last half hour. The rain isn’t helping.”
We all glance out the window where it’s still pissing it down with no signs of stopping.
“We’ve been advised to evacuate the room you’re staying in until the damage can be properly inspected. And we can’t do that until the weather improves.”
Shit.
I glance at Charlie, seeing the implications of that slowly dawn on him. “Is my stuff okay? My laptop and—”
“Yes. The desk isn’t close enough to be affected for now, but I’m afraid it’s not safe for you to stay in there until we can properly inspect the roof surrounding the skylight.”
Charlie opens his mouth, then closes it again. He glances at all the empty glasses on the table. “I can’t drive home tonight, I’ve had too much to drink.”
That’s when the full implication of this hits me.
He’s talking about going home.
Not in a week’s time, but now.
I turn to Hailey. “Haven’t you got other rooms here?”
She grimaces. “Yes, but they’re occupied.”
“What about Char’s family? Any room at their place?”
She sighs, and I already know the answer. “Not this week. They’ve got a group booking coming in tomorrow that’s taken up most of their lodges.”
Well, fuck.
Charlie draws his lip between his teeth. “What am I going to do tonight?”
“I know it’s not ideal, but you can stay in one of the lodges tonight, but I’m afraid you’ll have to leave by lunchtime tomorrow.
I can drive you over there or pay for a taxi if you’d prefer.
” Hailey sighs. “Again, I’m so sorry we’re having to ask you to do this, but your safety is our priority.
Of course, we’ll refund the cost of your whole stay, and we’d like to offer you a free weekend’s stay in the new year. ”
No.
The thought of Charlie leaving before I’ve had a chance to really get to know him, to tell him that I want to be more than friends and fuck the consequences is more than enough for me to blurt out, “You can stay with me.”
They both turn to stare at me like I’ve gone mad, but it’s the perfect solution.
“Not in my house,” I add quickly before Charlie can say no.
“I had my double garage converted into an annexe for my mum a couple of years ago. She moved out in March to live with her sister, so it’s just sitting there empty.
It’s got everything you need, including a small kitchen area.
” I’m aware that Charlie hasn’t said anything.
He’s still looking shellshocked by all of it, which is understandable.
“The offer’s there if you want it,” I add quietly.
“And not just for tonight. You can finish out your week there if you want. Carry on working on your book.” Okay, I really need to stop talking now.
I glance at Hailey, but I can’t read her expression. She’s probably hoping, whatever Charlie decides, that he doesn’t end up giving them a bad review.
“Um . . .” Charlie glances from me to Hailey, then back again.
“Why don’t I give you time to think about what you want to do.” Hailey pats Charlie on the arm. “And once again, I’m so sorry for all the inconvenience this is going to cause you.” She leaves us to it, taking a seat at the bar.
I bite my tongue, knowing that I need Charlie to talk next. I’ve said my piece. I don’t want him to think I’m badgering him to take me up on my offer. Don’t want him to feel pressured. “Would you like another drink?” He looks like he could do with a shot. Or two.
Finally, he blinks and focuses on me, then scrubs both hands over his face. “Shit. And I was having such a lovely evening.”
Yeah, me too.
“Um . . . I’d love an Irish coffee, if that’s okay?”
“Of course it is.” I get up and go order me a coffee and Charlie one with a shot of Jamiesons.
“They’re on the house,” Hailey interjects before I can pay. Char’s sister, Liz, is behind the bar, and she waves me away. “I’ll bring them over.”
“Thanks.” I head back to rejoin Charlie.
“Fuck.” He slumps in his seat, looking utterly defeated. “I don’t know what to do.” He’s still not looking my way, and I try not to take it personally.
I’m dying to ask him what he’s thinking, and it takes all my willpower to keep the words inside.
Liz brings over our drinks and we both thank her.
“I should take Hailey up on her offer of a night in a lodge and go back to Bristol tomorrow.” Fucking finally, he looks up and meets my gaze. “But I’m not ready for this to be over yet.”
I don’t know whether he means this thing between us or his holiday.
Doesn’t matter. “Neither am I.” His expression remains wary, and I don’t want to scare him off by asking for something he’s not willing to give.
So I swallow down the words I wanted to say earlier.
“Just as friends, Charlie. I’m offering you a place to stay with no fucking strings.
You can see me as much or as little as you want.
Like I said, the annexe has everything you need.
” I hold my hands up. “But don’t feel like you need to accept.
I won’t be offended.” I’ll be gutted that our time got cut short, but maybe that’ll be for the best. Another week will only make it worse when we eventually have to say goodbye.
“Okay.” He says it so softly, I think I’ve misheard.
“What?”
His smile is tentative. “If you’re serious about it being a self-contained annexe and you don’t mind, I’d like to stay there and finish working on my book.”
“Fuck yes, I’m serious.” My answering smile is the opposite of tentative. It’s all I can do not to let out a loud whoop and punch the air. “Finish your coffee, then go get your stuff together. I’m gonna give Sadie a quick call and ask her to go put the heating on and make sure the fridge is cold.”
He glances at the windows and grimaces. “You don’t have to do that.”
I wave him off because I absolutely do. “It’ll be freezing in there and Sadie only lives a few minutes away. It’ll be payback for laughing at me this afternoon.”
“If you’re sure she won’t mind?”
“It’s fine, I promise.” I might have some explaining to do, but I’m willing to suffer through that if it means Charlie stays here for another week.
“Thank you.”
He drinks his coffee in record time; I’m honestly surprised it doesn’t burn his throat.
“Right,” he says, standing and pushing his chair back. “I’ll go pack my things.” He hesitates, fingers tapping the edge of the table. “This won’t make things weird, will it?”
I fucking hope not.
I smile helplessly and shrug. “I have no idea.”
He laughs, but there’s a wariness to him that I want gone.
“I think we can navigate this and not let it get weird. If we’re honest.” I want to reach out and catch hold of his hand. Instead, I set one of mine on the table, near his but not touching.
He glances down at it.
“I meant it when I said you can see as much or as little of me as you want. You just need to tell me what you want, okay?”
His eyes search mine for what seems like forever, then finally he gives the barest of nods. “Okay.”
I’m still watching his face, so I startle when warm fingers brush against mine.
“I won’t be long.”
I let out a shaky breath and scrub both hands over my face.
Fuck me.
This is not how I saw the evening going. Can’t say I’m disappointed though, far fucking from it. It was as easy as breathing to offer Charlie a place to stay. A little selfish, yes, but he looked about as ready to leave as I was to see him go.
The hard part will be giving him the space I’ve promised him when he’s right there at the side of my house.