They ended up at a pub just down the road.
The Christmas tree in the entry way was a beauty and the pub itself was tastefully decorated, but Dom could’ve done without the Christmas soundtrack. After listening to the same songs for the last few weeks, he was about ready to scream.
He ordered their food while Nathan got the drinks.
“So,” Nathan said as soon as they were both seated. “How’s it going with Henry?”
Dom had filled him in on the weekend’s events but he’d kept Monday night to himself. That didn’t stop a rush of heat from creeping into his cheeks. “Good.”
Nathan raised an eyebrow. “I’d say better thangood, judging by that blush you’ve got going on. You two back at it?”
Dom sighed. “Not exactly. I can’t bring him back to Chrissy’s place, and he’s got three housemates.”
“Ahh.” Realisation dawned far too quickly for Dom’s liking. Nathan gave a pointed look at Dom’s phone. “Good old sexting.”
Dom snorted and rolled his eyes.
“I’m just saying it’ll do the job in a pinch.”
Well, Dom could hardly deny that.
“When are you seeing him again?”
He played with one of the beer mats on their table. “I don’t know. I don’t leave here until Christmas Eve.” He sighed, already resigned to the fact he wouldn’t be seeing Henry any time soon. “So after Christmas, I guess, or maybe even New Year’s.”
Nathan took a drink of his beer, then put it down with way too much care. That was his thinking face.
Dom braced himself.
“What are you doing for Christmas?”
“Same as usual. Going to my mum and dad’s for lunch with everyone else. Why?”
“What are you doing Christmas Eve?”
Dom’s eyes narrowed, but he answered. “You and Luke were supposed to be coming round.”
Nathan waved him off. “You only asked us because you didn’t want to be on your own after Sam.”
That was sort of true. A few months ago he’d had plans of spending a romantic night in on Christmas Eve with Sam. Strangely, the thought didn’t sting like he expected.
Huh.
He sat back in his chair. “Are you telling me you’ve got a better offer?”
Nathan smirked. “No, I’m saying that you have. Invite Henry instead.”
Dom scoffed. “I can’t do that.”
“Why not? You want to see him again, and I can tell the thought of waiting until after New Year’s depresses you. So why not ask him?”
“Pretty sure he’ll have plans for Christmas Eve. It’s only two days away.”
“You won’t know unless you ask him.” Nathan set his glass down and fixed Dom with the look that he hated. The one that said he knew Dom was making up excuses and that he should just do it already. “What’s the worst that can happen? He says he’s busy.” Nathan shrugged and sat back in his seat.
Dom shook his head and sent Nathan a mock glare. “I hate it when you do that.”
“What? State the obvious?”
