What Happens at Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page B

down. I’ll go and get you your coffee.”
    Sean was back a few minutes later, still empty-handed. “I’ve ordered, but you need to listen out for your name of the day.”
    Justin glared at him suspiciously. “Oh God. What did you call me this time?”
    Sean grinned. “You’ll know it when you hear it.”
    This was an old joke. Justin started it years ago by ordering their drinks under the name “Dick” and nearly dying from a paroxysm of laughing when the barista yelled it out across the crowded coffee shop. After that they’d run through all other possible rude-sounding names, before branching out into character names from favourite TV programmes, books, and movies.
    “Well, whatever it is, I hope they hurry up. I’m desperate for that coffee.”
    Sean slid his half-empty cup across the table. “It’s not pumpkin spice… it’s mocha, but you can share while you’re waiting.”
    “Thanks.” Justin took the paper cup and cradled it almost reverently in his slender fingers as he took a sip.
    Just at that moment, one of the servers yelled out completely deadpan, “Pumpkin spice latte for Draco!”
    Justin promptly choked on his mouthful. Face pink, he spluttered and grabbed for a paper napkin that lay on the table.
    Sean laughed. “I told you you’d know. Go and get it, then.”
    He was still chuckling when Justin slid back into his chair with his coffee.
    “One of the women waiting for her drink told me I look like him,” he said.
    “Course you do. That’s why it’s funny.”
    “Wanker.”
    “Come on, Draco’s hot.”
    Justin huffed. But he was too busy scooping whipped cream into his mouth with the stirrer to complain anymore. Sean watched, distracted by Justin’s lips and the tip of his tongue as he licked cream from the corner of his mouth.
    “What?” Justin had stopped and was looking at Sean inquiringly.
    “Nothing.” Sean’s cheeks heated as he looked away, focusing on the child and his father, who were getting ready to leave. The dad was helping the little boy into gloves and a hat, ready to head out into the chill of the winter evening.
    “What are you doing for Christmas this year?” Sean asked Justin.
    “Well… I was supposed to be spending it with Andy. But that’s obviously off the table now.” A shadow of hurt crossed his features, and Sean wished he hadn’t asked the question. “So now I’m flying up to see my parents,” Justin continued. “I’ve got time off between Christmas and New Year, so I’m going to Scotland for a few days. Mum’s been on at me to visit ever since they moved, and I haven’t managed to get up there yet.”
    Justin’s parents had recently relocated to the Scottish Highlands. They’d taken early retirement, bought a place up there, and set up a B & B.
    “Nice.” Sean tried not to sound wistful. He’d always envied Justin his family. Two loving parents, who accepted him for who he was. He couldn’t imagine how that would feel.
    “Should be.” Justin smiled. “Suzie’ll be there too, and I haven’t seen her since the summer.” Suzie was Justin’s older sister.
    “Where’s she living now?”
    “Near Manchester.” Justin took a sip of the coffee he’d finally unearthed from beneath its mound of cream. “How about you? You got plans?”
    Sean shrugged. Carefully avoiding Justin’s gaze, he kept his voice light. “Not sure. I guess I’ll go and see my dad.” He didn’t use the word “home.” It hadn’t felt like home for a long time, not even while he was still living there.
    “Yeah?” Justin’s sympathetic tone told Sean he knew exactly how Sean felt about it.
    Sean didn’t want to have this conversation. He picked up his cup and drained what was left in it. “Come on, drink up. We’ve got shopping to do.”
     
     
    The shops were mayhem. Sean stayed close to Justin, who swept ahead of him like a man on a mission.
    “We’re doing your interview clothes first,” Justin informed him.
    Justin took clothes off