Just The Way You Are(69)

I kept my arms awkwardly against my sides, but honestly, I could have fallen asleep inside that hug, I felt so safe and comfortable. Well, apart from the electricity crackling beneath my skin.

‘I’m sorry,’ I sniffled, eventually pulling back and wiping my face on the sleeve of my own T-shirt, until Sam handed me a tissue. ‘I always get overemotional when I’m tired.’

He frowned. ‘I think, all things considered, that this was probably the right amount of emotion.’

That made me smile, which brought out his dazzling grin again, instantly pushing back the shadows.

Sam listened while I went over the past week, grimacing in sympathy when I described finding Leanne unconscious, raising his eyebrows when I explained how I was determined to continue caring for Joan until Leanne was well enough to.

‘That’s a huge commitment for someone you’ve only known a couple of months.’

I took a sip of beer. ‘I know. But I’ve seen her six days a week for most of that. Cooked her meals, helped with homework projects.’ I paused, shrugged. ‘I love her like a niece, if I had one. Which I won’t, being an only child. Maybe sometimes families are made, not born. Leanne and Joan need a family. It doesn’t feel like a burden to be that for them. It feels like the most natural thing I could do.’

‘So is the Dream List on hold?’ Sam asked, one corner of his mouth creasing up.

‘It’s not. My dear best friend has helped me realise that if this is going to work, I need to find a way to balance being a standin parent with my own plans.’

‘So what’s next?’ Sam leant forwards, interested.

‘The biggest and scariest thing on the list.’

‘Bigger and scarier than camping alone in the forest?’ Sam looked impressed.

‘Yes.’ I took another swig of beer. ‘A party.’

‘Ah, I see.’ He nodded, eyes dancing. ‘I’m guessing you’ve never organised a party before?’

I shook my head. ‘I’ve hardly been to a party before. I don’t even know where to start.’

‘Start with what you imagined when you wrote the list. That’s the whole point, isn’t it?’

‘I’m not sure vodka jelly, a McFly CD and Harry Potter-themed fancy dress has really stood the test of time.’

‘Throw in some bacon Frazzles and I’m in.’

I eyed Sam over the top of my drink. ‘Who said you were invited?’

He gave me a pointed look in return, but his eyes were still sparkling. ‘At the risk of hurting your feelings, I’m not sure you’re in a position to be choosy.’

I screwed up my face. ‘You’re right. It’ll be ages before I know enough people to have a decent gathering. Which means the Dream List will just keep dragging on.’

Meaning that the No-Man Mandate would keep dragging on, too, of course.

‘That’s not true – I was making a stupid joke so you felt compelled to let me come.’ He adjusted position in the chair, face serious now. ‘Let’s make a list. You’ve got Leanne, and Joan. Me. What’s your best friend’s name?’

‘Steph, and she’ll bring her husband, Drew, and at least one of her brothers.’

Before we knew it, we’d scraped together enough names to definitely constitute a party. It wouldn’t be an epic bash, but there would be enough to fill the cottage nicely.

‘So, what else will you need? Any food or entertainment?’

I pointed my empty bottle at him. ‘Any other plans will be decided and arranged by me, alone, in accordance with the Dream List remit.’

‘Fair enough. If you did need any help, though, given everything else that’s going on…’

‘If I did need any help organising a small gathering, then I’m a failure at being in the big wide world on my own.’

Sam went completely still. He locked eyes with me across the table. ‘Look at you, Ollie. Look at all that you’re doing. Building an amazing charity. Taking in stray dogs and training them up into very good boys. Looking after a child while she goes through the toughest time. Going for fancy meals and to the theatre on your own. You are kicking the big wide world’s butt.’ The corner of his mouth tweaked up, and it was so gorgeous it was all I could do not to topple forwards into his lap. ‘The last time I organised a gathering, a random dog stole the chicken.’

We both started laughing, at precisely the moment the sun came out and Nesbit wandered over for a pet and in that moment, I could almost believe that what Sam said was true.





Joan and Pia arrived back a short while later.

‘Sam!’ Pia smirked. ‘How lovely to find you here.’

‘How was Mum?’ I asked Joan, but she had other things on her mind.

‘Who’s this man?’ she asked, face creased with suspicion. ‘Is he your boyfriend?’

‘Ooh, I hope so!’ Pia chirped.

‘No!’ I said immediately afterwards, loud enough to make Joan jump. ‘Sam made us these chairs.’

‘That doesn’t mean he’s not your boyfriend.’

‘Well, no, I suppose not. But me saying “no” does mean that.’

‘Then why have you gone all red and why is he smiling like a creepy clown?’ Joan fixed her steely gaze on Sam. ‘Do you want to be Ollie’s boyfriend? Is that why you made her the chairs?’