Magic & Mistletoe (14 page)

Was that the kind of man Andrew was interested in? Someone smooth and charming who said all the right things, all the time? If he was, then sooner or later he would realise Harry definitely wasn’t
that guy
.

Andrew must have felt Harry’s eyes on him then, because he glanced over, breaking into a huge smile when he spotted them. Some of Harry’s self-doubt melted away under the force of it, but enough remained to unsettle him. To his credit, the guy with Andrew gave a rueful smile when he saw where Andrew was looking, said something that Harry guessed was a goodbye, and left.

Harry watched him leave and hoped he wasn’t a regular shopper.

Andrew walked over to them, smile still in place. “Hey, what are you doing here?”

Harry faltered.
Damn it, I knew this would happen.
His worries were now twofold.
Not only am I going to have to come up with a plausible excuse for being here, but what if Andrew doesn’t want me visiting him at work?
The thought was ridiculous given the way Andrew was looking at him, but Harry couldn’t stop it from slipping into his mind. The seeds of doubt had already been planted. He hated feeling like this, especially when he had no reason to, but he was powerless to stop it.

Jason, no longer holding a book and oblivious to Harry’s inner turmoil, smoothly stepped up next to them. “I had to pick some last-minute gifts for Karen, and it’s Harry’s duty as my best friend to suffer with me.”

Andrew laughed. “Fair enough.”

“In fact”—Jason dug in his back pocket and pulled out a slip of paper—“she’s been dropping unsubtle hints about this book for the past week. Do you have it?”

Harry got a waft of Andrew’s aftershave as he leaned over to read the note, and had the strongest urge to pull him close and wrap his arms around him. And maybe keep him there forever.

“Yeah, I’m sure I saw that one somewhere. Hang on.” Andrew hurried over to one of his colleagues, and Jason took the opportunity to get Harry’s attention.

“See. I told you he’d be pleased to see you.”

“Yeah.” Harry answered distractedly, too busy watching Andrew. He knew Andrew was attractive, and objectively he accepted that he wouldn’t be the only one to think so. But seeing the way other people reacted to him was a sharp reminder of it.

“I don’t know why I was worried,” Jason added.

That got Harry turning back to face him. “You were worried about us?”

“Let’s face it—you’ve picked some real arseholes in the past.”

“True,” Harry conceded.
Andrew isn’t like that, though, is he?
He glanced back to see Andrew pat his co-worker on the shoulder and then hand him Jason’s piece of paper. That guy might look at Andrew as if he were the best thing ever, but Andrew was either oblivious to it or politely ignored it. No, this was all about Harry and his hang-ups. He smiled and tried to laugh it off. “That might have been the beer clouding my judgement.”

Jason nodded. “Maybe. I just didn’t want Andrew turning out to be the same, especially not with Christmas just around the corner and everything.” Harry was about to say thanks, because Jason always had his back, but Jason went and ruined it with “Turns out you two are just as bad as each other—like a couple of love-struck schoolgirls.”

“Piss off, we are not. And also that’s extremely sexist. My sisters will not be impressed when I tell them.” It distracted Harry from his train of thought, which could only be a good thing, considering where it was heading. So maybe Jason did always have his back, even when it was by accident.

“Yeah, right,” Jason scoffed. “They love me. They won’t believe a word you say.”

That statement was unfortunately true. Harry’s whole family loved Jason. Thankfully, Andrew came back then, book in hand, and stopped them from devolving into a bickering match.

“Here you go.” He handed the book to Jason and then glanced at Harry.

“Okay, then.” Jason waved the book in the air. “I’m just gonna go pay for this.”

“I need to get back to work.” Andrew looked apologetic. “I’m normally in the back office, but everyone helps out on the tills at Christmas.”

Harry nodded. “Yeah, okay.” He liked the thought of Andrew safely tucked away in the back office.
Out of sight
. Thank fuck that didn’t come spilling out, he doubted Andrew would appreciate Harry wanting to lock him away from prying eyes. It didn’t exactly show trust on Harry’s behalf. He needed to get a grip.

“Thanks for dropping in, though. It’s good to see you.” Andrew edged closer, and Harry wanted to kiss him so badly he was leaning forward before he realised it. He wanted to feel that connection to him again and banish all those other thoughts to the back of his mind where they belonged. Andrew cleared his throat and stepped back, but he was smiling. “You really need to go, or I’m going to get myself fired for committing a lewd act in public.”

Just listening to Andrew say the word “lewd” was enough to get Harry a little hard, and finally shrug off the negativity clouding his brain. He resisted the urge to reach down and adjust himself. “We wouldn’t want that, would we?”

Andrew’s gaze swept over him in a totally unfair and dirty manner. “While I’m all for committing lewd acts, I’d rather not get fired, no.”

And yeah, Harry should definitely be going. He shoved his hands in his pockets to try and hide his growing semi. “So, I’ll see you Christmas Eve about six?”

“I’m off all day if you want to meet earlier?” Andrew looked a little wary all of a sudden, as though unsure of Harry’s answer. “I could make us something to eat before we go out.”

“Sounds good. I’ll text you when I finish work.”

They said their goodbyes, and Harry settled for clapping him on the shoulder instead of pushing him up against the books and kissing him senseless. He joined Jason at the front of the shop.

“Can we go home now?” Jason yawned, making Harry yawn as well.

“Yeah. Come on.”

They walked back to the car park in companionable silence. Harry inhaled the chilly fresh air as they stepped outside. It was even busier out here than it was inside. The winter wonderland filled half the car park with its ice rink, Santa’s castle, and various stalls selling hot food and drinks. Laughter and delighted squeals filled the air as people raced around the rink or clung onto the sides for dear life.

The happy atmosphere was contagious and Harry smiled wide as he zipped up his coat against the cold. “I love this time of year.”

They walked down the path, the Christmas lights strung above them lighting the way.

Jason rolled his eyes, but he was smiling. “Me too.”

CHAPTER NINE

Andrew woke on Christmas Eve at the glorious hour of ten o’clock. He stretched out in bed, enjoying the satisfying crack of his spine and feeling loose all over. The day before had been long and tiring, and he’d fallen asleep almost as soon as he got in. It meant he’d forgotten to text Harry as he’d taken to doing the past couple of days. but he felt so much better for getting eleven solid hours of sleep. Maybe now he wouldn’t be nodding off on their date tonight.

Talking of which… he reached over for his phone, and saw he’d got three texts from Harry waiting for him. Andrew scrolled through them, smiling.

Hey, everything ok? You never texted so just checking in.

I’m guessing you came in and crashed so ttyt

He’d sent the last one five minutes ago; maybe that was what had woken Andrew up.

Morning. Get your lazy arse out of bed. I should b done by 1.30, then going to the pub for a quick drink-only 1 though. See you about 4. Make me lots of food, I’ll b starving :)

Andrew smirked as he typed out a reply.
Cheeky bastard. I may make you a snack if I have time. I’ve got a busy day planned.

He’d barely put the phone down before it buzzed again.

Busy my arse. Ur gonna b lazing around doing fuck all, don’t lie.

Andrew grinned and settled back on his pillows.
Like you’re doing any work today. I bet you’re all sat twiddling your thumbs until it’s time for the pub.

Lies. I’ve done loads this morning—had two cups of coffee, played paper toss, finished yesterday’s crossword and managed to wake up my lazy boyfriend. I think that’s enough for Christmas Eve.

Laughing, Andrew hit the call icon. If Harry wasn’t doing anything then he might as well be chatting to Andrew.

“Morning,” Harry answered after the first ring, the smile evident in his voice.

Andrew sat up and shoved one of the spare pillows behind his back. “Morning.”

“Are you still in bed?” Harry whispered it, and Andrew sniggered as he imagined him with his hand over the phone. Probably not the best conversation to be having in the middle of an office, but he couldn’t resist answering with “Yes. Do you want to know what I’m wearing?”

Harry’s laughter warmed him inside. Andrew was suddenly glad no one could see the definitely goofy smile on his face.

“Yes, but I’m not going to ask. No one here would thank me for it.”

“Fine, I guess you have a point. I called to ask what you fancied food-wise later.”

“Um….” The sound of a drawer opening and closing filled the silence, and Andrew wondered what Harry was doing. It was a simple question. “Sorry, my phone’s on 3 percent and I can’t find the charger. Shit, it’ll cut off any second. Okay, I won’t have had lunch, so anything you want to cook will be great, honestly. I’ll see you late—”

And he was gone.

Andrew debated staying in bed awhile longer, but he was awake now. He didn’t have much to do today, but he probably shouldn’t waste it lying around doing nothing.

After showering and eating breakfast, he fetched Harry’s Christmas present and a roll of wrapping paper. The DVDs were easy to wrap, and he had a piece of red ribbon wound around the paper and was poised to tie the bow when he stopped. He always used ribbons on his presents, but only to family or Abi.

Is it too much for Harry’s gift?

Fuck it. Harry wasn’t quiet about how much he loved Christmas—he probably expected bows on his presents. Andrew tied it and curled the edges with a pair of scissors, just like his mum had taught him when he was little. Might as well go the whole hog.

Then he had the debate of whether to put it under the tree or not. Abi’s were already under there, along with his brother’s and Carmel’s.

God, what’s wrong with me today?

He stood, marched over to the tree, and carefully placed Harry’s present front and centre.

With that out of the way, he turned his attention to food.

The flat smelled delicious and Andrew eyed the saucepans on the hob to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything.
Shit. I hope Harry’s hungry.

An hour later, someone knocked on the door and Andrew rushed to open it.

“Hi.” He stepped aside to let Harry in, but Harry shook his head and glanced up.

“Aren’t you forgetting something? Jason swears it’s bad luck if you ignore it, and I don’t want to ruin Christmas because you jinxed us.”

Andrew looked up at the fresh sprig of mistletoe above them. He narrowed his eyes. It must be a trick of the light—he could swear it was sparkling and swaying slightly. The hallway was a little draughty but not that bad. “I’m sure I took that down on Monday night.”

Harry looked shifty, as though he knew something Andrew didn’t. Andrew was about to ask him about it when Harry stepped into his space, wrapped his arms around Andrew’s shoulders, and kissed him. Then Andrew forgot about everything except the soft press of Harry’s lips and the rough stubble on his skin.

“That’s better.” Harry stepped back enough for Andrew to see his flushed cheeks.

“Did you miss me?” Andrew was only half joking when he said it, so Harry’s soft “Yeah, I did,” made his stomach flutter.

“Fuck, something smells good.” Harry turned his head towards the kitchen and breathed deeply. “Can we eat now? This is like a late lunch for me and I’m starving.” He looked so eager when he glanced back, and it reminded Andrew of a puppy.

“It should be ready in five minutes. Go grab us a beer each while I check on everything.”

Harry’s jaw dropped when Andrew began to set dishes out on the table. He might have gone a little overboard.

“I thought you said you were making me a snack, not a royal banquet.” Harry licked his lips.

Andrew would have been embarrassed about the amount of food he’d made, but Harry ate like a horse. “Help yourself. There’s roast beef, gravy, roast potatoes, Tenderstem broccoli, and green beans.”

“No Yorkshire puddings?”

“Shit!” Andrew bolted out of his chair and grabbed the oven mitts. He knew he’d forgotten something. Thankfully the tray of Yorkshires wasn’t burnt, just a little crispier than usual.

“I was only joking, you know,” Harry said when Andrew put them on the table and sat down.

“So you don’t want any?” Andrew went to slide them out of Harry’s reach, so Harry speared one with his fork and dumped it on his plate, then went for a second.

“That’s not what I said.” He helped himself to vegetables and meat, then set his knife and fork down and leaned over to give Andrew a kiss. “This is awesome. Thank you.”

Andrew smiled. “You’re welcome.”

They proceeded to eat a staggering amount of food, and Andrew waved away Harry’s half-hearted offer to clean up. He checked the clock on the oven—five thirty. They had plenty of time before they needed to go out.

“We’ll do it later. I need to collapse on the sofa for at least an hour before I do anything else.”

“Good point.” Harry followed and sank down next to him. “Christmas lunch is going to be a let-down after that feast. You’ve ruined me for all other roast dinners ever.”

Andrew closed his eyes, basking in the praise. “Don’t let your mother hear you say that.”

Harry snorted. “I haven’t got a death wish.”

Andrew felt the sofa move as Harry got comfortable. He was just dozing off when Harry spoke again.