Chapter 17 Pete #2
When the cheers subside and the music returns to normal, it takes all my willpower to ease back enough to see Charlie’s face. “Happy New Year.”
He grins at me like the Cheshire cat. “Happy New Year.”
Two seconds later, we’re joined by my very drunk sister. I fully expect her to sling her arms around me, but instead, she hugs Charlie to within an inch of his life.
“I’m soooo happy you came back for him.” She lets him go long enough to reach over and slap me on the chest. “He was so fucking sad when you left. Misrabble.” She frowns. “Miserrebbel.”
“I think they get it, babe.” Tim laughs as he peels her off Charlie and into his arms.
“Yes, thank you for that.” I can’t pretend I’m mad, because every word is true. “I was,” I admit and shrug.
“I’m sorry,” Charlie says quietly, but I shake my head.
“No. Don’t ever apologise for taking the time to sort your feelings.” I pull him in for another quick kiss—can’t help it now that he’s mine. “I’m just happy you’re here now.”
That smile I love is quick to return. “Me too.”
“And how long are you here for?” I know he’ll have to go back soon, but I’m crossing everything that it’s not tomorrow.
“I can stay until the fourth if that’s ok?”
“It’s more than okay.” I’m just about to kiss him again when Sean and Jerry appear beside us. “All right?”
Charlie smirks. “Just going to get us another drink.” He squeezes my shoulder, then heads off to the bar.
We all watch him go.
“We’re really happy for you.” Sean slings an arm around my shoulders.
Jerry ruffles my hair. “You deserve this, Pete.”
“Thanks.” I know I’m blushing, but for once I’m not bothered. They mean every word, and I’m going to do my damnedest to deserve Charlie.
And keep him.
I know we don’t have everything worked out yet, and a long-distance relationship won’t be easy, but it’ll be worth every struggle we have to go through if I get to be with Charlie.
Later, when we finish the drinks he got us, Charlie grabs my hand and nods towards the door.
“You want to go?”
He shakes his head. “Not yet, but I need a bit of fresh air.”
I let him lead me outside and to the picnic bench where I first met him.
We both take the same seats we did last time.
I laugh when he pulls out the gloves I gave him and tugs them on.
“Can’t believe it’s been a year since I met you.” He blows out a breath that fogs in the chill night air. “I’m so glad Dan fucked off and left me.”
“Me too.” I wince. “I mean, it was a dick move on his part, but it meant I got to meet you.”
He leans in and kisses me. “Worth being stranded.”
I slip my arm around him and tug him into my side. It’s a cold night, not sure how much longer we can stay out here without freezing, but it’s nice to have a bit of peace and quiet after the chaos inside. “Did you hear back from the estate agent?”
“Fuck’s sake!” He shifts to face me, excitement written all over his face. “Can’t believe I forgot to tell you! They want it.”
“That’s amazing.” I pull him tight again, wrapping my arms around him. “I’m so happy for you.”
“I mean, it’s still early stages, and it might fall through, but fingers crossed, in a few months it’ll all be sorted.”
And then he’ll need somewhere to live.
I swallow down the words desperate to spill out. He still has a job in Bristol. That hasn’t changed. “What will you do then?” I’m not sure how well I hide where my mind just went, because Charlie studies me closely, bottom lip between his teeth.
“Well . . .” He swallows, and it hits me that he’s nervous. I try not to get too excited. “There’s talk at work of downsizing and moving more towards part office-based/part home-based working. If it happens, it probably won’t be for a few months.”
“Maybe it’ll coincide with your flat sale going through?”
“Maybe.”
I laugh and run a cold hand through my hair. Wish I’d remembered my bloody gloves. “Put me out of my misery, Charlie. What are you saying, exactly?”
“Potentially, I could move to either three weeks at home and a week in the office, or a split week. Something that lets me stay with Seb or a hotel for the time I’m needed in Bristol and allow me to live elsewhere for the rest of it.”
“Somewhere like here?” I hold my breath, not daring to hope that everything I’ve ever wanted is about to fall into my lap.
“Yeah. If that’s something we both want in a few months.”
I get what he’s saying. It’s way too soon yet to make a decision like that.
Even though I’d happily move in with him right now, it’s probably not the best idea.
But the fact that it’s even an option has me so filled with hope that it’s an effort to sound calm when I speak. “Okay. So between now and then?”
He sighs. “We split our time? Would you be willing to come to me some weekends?”
“Of course I would. I’ll work something out with Sadie, don’t worry.” I rub my hands together, trying to get some feeling back in them. Charlie notices and grabs them with his gloved ones. “Come on, let’s go back in before you freeze.”
I shudder thinking about all that lovely heat. “Okay.”
He tugs me to a stop just outside the door, then hits me with that smile again. The small, soft, but oh-so-warm one that makes my belly swoop every single time. “Are we doing this then?”
I wrap my arms around him. “Yeah. We are.”
He looks up and grins. “Perfect.”
I follow his gaze and chuckle. “Of course.”
“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 that together.
And that’s the most important part.