Page 41 of Animal Instincts
The three friends fell into easy conversation and Joss was happy to sit back and listen.
Joss’ attention soon drifted, and he idly looked around.
On the far side of the marquee, Declan appeared, closely followed by Charles, who said something prompting Declan to turn and look at him from over his shoulder, his smile big and bright and focused one hundred percent on Charles, who grinned in response.
What the hell was—?But before Joss could chase his thoughts, Ryan jumped to the stage and in a roar of cheers and clapping, announced the official start of the first ever Love’s Harbour open mic night.
TWENTY-THREE
“… let’s give a big round of applause to Yvonne, from Stop ’n’ Shop, Love’s Harbour’s very own little convenience store with a big heart, for her take on Stairway to Heaven.” The crowd burst into cheers as Yvonne bowed, and bowed again, and again, before being hustled away by Ryan. “And now ladies and gents, we have Vince—”
“It’s Vincent, pronounced Van-sont.” A ripple of laughter ran through the audience at the guy’s ill-tempered hiss.
“What a wonderful poncho.” James drawled. “Perry, sweetheart, would you like me to buy you one? As a token of my love and affection?”
Oliver spluttered, as a beatific smile lit up Perry’s face. Perry’s suggestion for what James could do with the green, fur trimmed monstrosity, however, was less saintly.
“Sorry, folks, Van-sontis taking the place of Vince—” Another chuckle of laughter in the marquee, “with his version of ABBA’s Fernando accompanied by Celia, from the mobile library, on the accordion. Ladies and gents, girls and boys, The Fisherman’s Arms gives you Vince and Celia. You heard it here first.”
“Van-sont…”
Oliver groaned, and leaned into Joss. “I’m not sure I can stand much more. Do you want to make a move?”
“Yes, please. I thought you’d never ask.”
They said their goodbyes to James and Perry, their places taken almost before they’d finished standing, and made their way through the crowded marquee and out onto the harbour front.
“Perhaps we could—?”
“Would you like to—?”
The both spoke at once, stumbling to a stop at once, before laughing at once.
“Come back with me? I mean, just for a coffee if you want?”
“Just for a coffee? Seriously? Is that what you want?”
Under the soft, mellow lights of the harbour front, Oliver gazed down at Joss as his head and heart twisted and tumbled, battling each other for dominance.
Everything he and Joss had shared; every moment that had made them laugh and smile; every time Oliver’s heart had beat a little faster, a little wilder, when Joss looked at him, had brought them to this point.
Oliver drew in a deep breath. He could go back or he could go forward, but one thing he couldn’t do was stand still. There was a choice to be made, and made now.
“I know what I want, Joss. It’s just taken me some time to realise. Come home with me.”
“For coffee?”
Oliver shook his head, as a smile lifted his lips. He held out his hand for Joss to take.
“For whatever we want.”
TWENTY-FOUR
The bedroom door closed with a soft click. Oliver’s moment of clarity, of knowing what he wanted, of how sure he was when he took Joss’ hand wavered, as doubts and fears began to gnaw at him.
He swallowed hard.
No.He wouldnotlet the past cast a shadow over the present. This, with Joss, was nothing like before. He might as well compare the day to night, and warm sun to cold shadows.
