Page 28 of Only for Christmas

‘It’s a tough one.’ He ruffled the dog’s ears; he was an affectionate animal. ‘You lived here long?’

‘Five years.’

He looked around. ‘I’m guessing the place came furnished?’

‘No, this is my stuff.’ She frowned. ‘Why?’

‘Nothing. It’s just a bit… outdated.’

‘It’s not outdated. It’s antique,’ she said, looking outraged. ‘These are collectors’ pieces. Sought after, I’ll have you know.’

‘By who? Miss Marple?’

She threw the cushion at him. ‘I like it.’

The cushion landed on Fred. ‘Good for you.’

She folded her arms. ‘Anyway, what’s wrong with it?’

‘It doesn’t look very… you.’ Fred began tugging on the cushion.

Sarah came over and tried to remove the cushion from Fred’s teeth, but he wasn’t letting go. ‘What do you mean, it doesn’t look like me? Why not?’

He shrugged. ‘It’s too serious.’

‘Well, I am serious. I’m an extremely serious person,’ she said, failing to see the irony as she rolled around the floor engaged in a tugging game with Fred.

‘I bet you weren’t always. What happened?’

‘I told you. A man happened.’ Fred landed on her chest, winding her and pinning her to the floor.

Lucas leant over and smiled down at her. She had really pretty eyes. The was a moment of stillness when their eyes met and he felt a little… what was the word Mrs Kelsey had used…? Smitten. He cleared his throat. ‘What did he do?’

‘He turned up at my flat with flowers and criticised my furniture.’

Lucas laughed. She was fun to spar with. ‘Want to join me for a walk in the park with Fred? We could stop off somewhere for coffee?’

A beat passed, almost as if she was tempted, but thought better of it. ‘No can do.’ She rolled onto her front and got up.

‘Tomorrow?’

She straightened her T-shirt. ‘Nope.’

‘Maybe some other time.’ He got up from the floor. ‘And before you say no again, remember I am your boyfriend.’ He opened his arms. ‘Is this any way to treat the man you love?’

Her hands went to her hips. ‘We broke up, remember?’

He handed her the cushion from the floor. ‘Enjoy your flowers. And don’t forget to post about them on Instagram.’

‘Yeah, not going to happen,’ she called after him, as he walked off.

He waved a goodbye. ‘See ya, Fred… don’t let her take you to the pound.’

Fred began barking and sending Sarah into a panic as she tried to quieten him. ‘Thanks for that!’

Lucas headed down to his apartment, grinning. Why he was grinning, he had no idea. A sane man would know when to quit.

But he’d never been one for quitting.

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