Page 101 of Butterfly

“How did you know?”

“Know what?”

“He was the one.”

Pichard eased out a breath. “I just did. He’s handsome, he’s funny. He puts up with my strange work schedule and my grumpy moods when I’ve had a long day. I’d do anything for him. Sometimes youknow, and you’ll do everything to keep that person in your life, and luckily for me, he felt the same. How about you?”

“Me?”

“Any…special someone?”

“No.” Ollie lowered his gaze. “I’m still trying to get used to being out. Everyone else seems to handle it better.”

“You’ve got time.” Pichard flashed him a smile. “Time to get a grip on life, time to meet someone. Take each day as it comes; there’s no rush, and no blueprint. You’ll get there.”

“I hope so,” Ollie whispered.

He cupped his hands and breathed into them.

“You cold?”

“A little,” Ollie admitted.

Pichard turned the heating up. “I’ve got gloves if you want to put them on. They’re leather, lined.”

“Thank you, but they’re better now,” Ollie said, holding his hands out to one of the heaters.

Rory stood waiting on the driveway. He tapped his foot on the ground as he checked his watch.

“Now that is a jacket,” Pichard snorted.

Ollie smiled. “Tell me about it.”

Rory’s red checked lumberjacket was thick, warm, with a faux fur lining. As soon as he’d walked in with it on, Ollie wanted it.

“He says he’s going to get me one for Christmas, blue instead of red, though.”

“It’ll suit you.”

Rory made a more dramatic show of checking his watch.

“It’s five minutes until nine,” Ollie told him as he climbed from the car.

Pichard rolled down his window. “How’s the scar?”

“Scar-like,” Rory replied. “Actually, sometimes I get a little twi—”

“Not interested,” Pichard said with a smirk. “I’ve got a husband to get back to and a glass of wine with my name on it.”

“Thank you,” Ollie said. “Not for almost hitting me but for driving me back.”

“You’re welcome,” Pichard said before winding up the window.

Rory ushered Ollie over the threshold just as the time changed to nine o’clock.

“No one actually checks.”

Rory raised his eyebrow. “The one time they do, you don’t want to be caught out.”

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