Page 7 of One More Gift

“Well, where are you going to stay?” I ask, rounding the sofa with my hands on my hips. “There are only two bedrooms here.”

Henry glances sideways. We hadn’t spoken about it implicitly, but I think it’s pretty obvious he was going to stay in my room. With me.

Despite that, I don’t want the man I’m in the process of divorcing to know I’ve invited another man, my oldest friend no less, to share my bed.

It’s ridiculous. We separated almost a year ago. I’m allowed to sleep with other people, as is he. I just didn’t expect the first time I’d have sex with someone else in fifteen years to be while he was in the house with us.

“We shared a bed for years, angel. I’m sure we can manage one more night.”

The three of us look back and forth at each other in a sort of stand-off until Casper breaks the silence with a laugh.

“I am teasing. I can sleep on the sofa. Henry, you’ll have the guest bedroom and my wife can have our bedroom to herself.”

“Mybedroom,” I correct him.

“If you say so. Is there anything to eat?” he says, smirking up at me. I could punch him in his beautiful mouth.

Our separation has been as civil as they come, and although we still speak regularly, it’s been a few months since we’ve seen each other in person. I’m furious at him for turning up here looking so gorgeous.

One man aging like a fine wine is a treat, two is torture, and I don’t know where to look.

There’s no sane way through this situation except retreating to our separate corners of the cottage and surviving the night. It’s late, and if we can just get through the next few hours, Casper will leave, and Henry and I can get back on track, just a little later than expected.

“You know where the kitchen is. I’m going to go to bed.”

“Sleep well, my beautiful angel,” Casper calls after me.

“You’re leaving in the morning,” I yell back down the stairs.

“As you wish.” I hear him laughing, then making his way to the kitchen.

In my bedroom, I strop about my room as I change into snuggly a top and bottoms, the exact opposite of what I had planned to spend the evening in. I packed them to wear while curled up on the sofa, watching Christmas movies underneath a blanket.

Henry’s suitcase is sitting at the foot of my bed, and the sight of it, closed and unpacked, makes me want to cry. Hewasgoing to stay in here. Obviously he was. We didn’t even need to discuss it.

There’s a soft knock at the door, which can only be Henry. Casper would never bother knocking.

“Come in.”

“Hey, just came to grab my stuff and check on you.” He closes the door quietly behind him. “Are you OK?”

“I’m fine,” I say, losing my battle with hanging my skirt in the tiny wardrobe in the corner. “I’m just… I’m so sorry, Henry. I don’t know what he’s doing here and I’m pretty fucking angry about it, to be honest.”

“Hey, it’s OK. Don’t worry about it.”

“I’m not worried, I’m just frustrated. This was supposed to be… this is…” I wave my hands back and forth between us. I don’t have the words for whatever this is yet. “I was really looking forward to spending time here, just the two of us.”

Henry closes the space between us and pulls me into his arms, his chin resting on the top of my head. My arms loop around his strong back, and my body lights up being so close to him. I want this, this and more, all week long.

“We’re good, Sass. You and me? We can handle setbacks,” he whispers into my hair, and it’s all the reassurance I need. “You should get some sleep. He’ll be gone in the morning, and you and I can pick up where we left off. OK?”

I lift my chin to catch the look of promise in his eyes. Promise and hunger. His big hands stroke up and down my biceps and I never want him to stop touching me.

“OK. I’m so sorry. I had no idea he would be here, I promise. We’re well and truly over, and he knows that. I don’t know why he’s saying‘my wife’and all that shit.”

“That’s just the way he is, but honestly, I’ve waited a long fucking time for you. It’s already late. I can wait a few more hours.” He smiles down at me, gives my bum a hard squeeze, then raises his hands in mock apology. “Sorry, I really needed that. To tide me over.”

I want to kiss him, but if I do, I don’t think I’d be able to stop myself from touching him and taking things further. There are so many things I do with him. Tonight was supposed to end with me screaming his name. Let the man downstairs hear me for all I care.

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