Page 17 of Topped

“It’s one thing we’ll never disagree on.”

I smiled, the tight feeling in my chest slowly starting to unravel as I beckoned Milo to follow me up the stairs. He had a dark orange cool bag in hand, and a matching beanie on his head, and I couldn’t help but think how much the colour suited him. Both literally and metaphorically. It was warm and vibrant and soothing all at the same time, reminding me of sunsets across the bay and the dried orange garlands I hung over Christmas.

“How was your day?” I asked as we climbed, trying to focus on putting one foot in front of the other instead of turning around to look at him. The last thing I wanted to do was trip and faceplant the stairs. Lizzie would not appreciate it.

“Eh, it was fine. Pretty quiet. Alfie’s off on Tuesdays, so it was just me out front, and Darcy and Owen were deep cleaning the chiller. Didn’t really have much to do. How about yours?”

“Could have been worse,” I said. “We’ve started taking orders for Christmas hampers, which always do well but are a bit of a pain to organise.”

“Because they’re complex or because people are arseholes about them?”

“Er… the second,” I muttered as I opened the front door. “Most people are lovely but⁠—”

“There’s always a couple of dickheads?”

“Yes. I probably shouldn’t say that though.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell,” Milo said, shooting me a wink as he undid his boots.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He shook his head and chuckled. “I dunno what it is about Christmas, but it turns so many people into absolute, raging cunts. And not the serving cunt kind, the wanker kind. Like, it’s one day, and I get that people want it to be perfect, but come on!”

I laughed. “How many Christmases have you worked in retail?”

“Too fucking many. And hospitality. Fuck me, people can be dicks.” He shuddered dramatically, then straightened, putting on a deadpan expression and affected tone, hand out like he was holding an order pad. “Yes, ma’am, it is a set menu and has been available to look at since September. No, I can’t get you something off menu because you don’t like turkey or beef or whatever fucking vegetarian option it is, and didn’t tell us until you sat down. No, sir, I’m just the staff, I’m not personally out to ruin your Christmas. I’m not paid enough for that. Ah, a two-pound tip on a hundred-and-fifty-pound bill, how generous of you sir, I can buy a pot noodle! Not name brand though, can’t let me get ideas above my station.”

More laughter bubbled out of me and I had to put my hand across my mouth to muffle the sound. But Milo looked thrilled that I’d laughed, his whole face lighting up with sheer delight.

“I like it when you laugh,” he said. “And I like knowing I can make you laugh too.”

“Oh God, you’re going to be insufferable now, aren’t you? You’re going to try it all the time.” I groaned, putting my face in my hand to hide my smile. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had so much fun with someone. It was nice. Really nice.

“Not all the time, otherwise it would get boring. The trick with good comedy is timing. Now, can I hold Miss Bennet please? I’m dying over here.”

“I’m sure you’re not,” I said, gently unwinding Lizzie and lifting her off my shoulders as Milo pulled his beanie off. His hair was starting to come through as light brown stubble, and I was surprised by how quickly it had grown.

“I might be. You don’t know.”

“I doubt you’d be the sort to suffer in silence,” I said as I carefully placed Lizzie on Milo’s shoulders, my fingers brushing over the patchwork fleece he was wearing again. I ignored the way it made the tips of them tingle slightly, as if someone had run a gentle current through them.

“Hmm true. But mostly it’s because I want attention.”

I stared at him for a second as he stroked Lizzie’s scales. I hadn’t been expecting him to admit that.

But… I appreciated his honesty. It made another warm feeling curl around my chest, and I felt myself smiling despite the shock.

“What?” he asked, grinning at me as Lizzie climbed up the side of his head to her new favourite perch.

“Nothing, I… I just… I didn’t expect you to be so honest.”

“Does it bother you?”

“No, actually. I like it. It’s helpful. I, er, I like knowing where I stand with people.”

He tilted his head slightly, then stopped when he realised it would upset Lizzie. It looked like he was trying to figure something out about me, but what he’d realised he didn’t say. “That always helps.”

“It does.” I nodded and looked around for a second, wondering if I should ask him what he was thinking. But that might be too much, and I didn’t want this to feel like an interrogation. “Would you like a cup of tea? I’ve got some chocolate biscuits too.”