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“Single bells, single bells,” Joel sang, off key, as he put one foot in front of the other and tried very, very hard not to fall over. “Single all the way.”
The snow storm had swept in furiously since he’d left the house earlier that morning; now the fat flakes were being dumped on the ground with increasing ferocity. And all he was wearing was jeans and a dumb Christmas jumper. No coat.
Stupid office Christmas parties.
Stupid snow.
Stupid Milly who suggested tequila shots to warm them up while they were huddled outside, fingertips going numb while sharing a cigarette outside on Grassmarket. Joel liked Milly, a lot, but she had terrible ideas when it came to alcohol.
Especially when they both had to go to work in the morning.
“Oh what fun, it is to ride on a….” He giggled to himself, thinking about all the things he’dactuallylike to take a ride on. “On a—ohfuck.”
Joel wasn’t entirely sure what happened. One minute he was edging very slowly down the very steep hill; the next he was on his arse, skidding to an inelegant stop.
Stupid shiny dress shoes that had no grip on the soles.
“Are you okay?”
Oh great.Even better. Someone had actuallywitnessedthat.
Joel got to his feet—slowly, keeping both hands and both feet planted until he was sure of his balance—and brushed his palms on his knees. He’d scraped his hands badly enough to make them bleed. Fortunately, all the alcohol in his system was stopping it from hurting too much.
He looked around for the person who’d called out. And almost goggled at the sight.
The man was standing in the doorway of one of the cottages, wearing joggers, slippers, and a dressing gown that was open enough to show off a toned chest with a smattering of dark hair. Joel forced his eyes upwards. He was wearing glasses, too.
“Single bells,” he croaked again, mostly to himself.
“Hey.” Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome stepped off the front step and into his garden. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Joel put both thumbs up and thrust them at his handsome stranger. “I’m great. Thanks.”
“Where are you going?”
He pointed down the hill. Way, way down the hill. “Church Street.”
“No. Absolutely not. You’ll never make it in one piece. Come in.”
“Oh, I couldn’t impose.”
“It’s freezing. Come in, please.”
“If you insist,” Joel murmured under his breath. He took very careful steps over to the charming front gate, not wanting to fall over again.
It really was cold outside, but the cottage was cosy and warm, with the embers of a wood fire dying in the grate. A sleek grey cat was curled on a rug in front of it, her face tucked under one paw.
“Here, sit down.”
“I don’t want to get your sofa all wet.”
“It’s fine.”
Joel blinked the snow out of his eyes and tried to focus again.Focus, Joel.
“Why are you awake, anyway? Isn’t it the middle of the night?”
“I’m on call tonight. I usually try and stay semi-awake, just in case someone needs me.” He flashed Joel a brilliant smile. “Looks like someone needed me, even if you aren’t my usual patient.”
