Hooked on You

by Jenn Matthews

  “You should come with me when I go just for a regular swim. I really enjoy it.”

  Anna arched an eyebrow. I’d like to see her in a swimming costume.

  Ollie blinked once, and Anna was sure she was having the same thought. “If you like.”

  A wave of tiredness flooded through Anna and she nodded. She pulled the duvet more firmly over her shoulder, tucking it in by her own neck. A shiver flew through her body, making her teeth rattle. Her bones stung with the cold, like it had seeped inside them and turned them to ice. “Don’t know what on earth is going on with my heating tonight,” she said, huffing. “Although damn, actually,” she said, and then bit her lip, “it goes off at midnight. I’m usually fast asleep by now.”

  The mattress bounced as Ollie shifted closer, tickling her fingers by Anna’s neck. “Are you a cuddler, Ms Rose?”

  Relief washed through her and pulled a laugh from deep inside her belly. “I was going to ask you that,” Anna said. “I do like a cuddle in bed, yes.” She smiled wryly. “And I’m sure I’d appreciate a bit of shared body heat tonight.”

  “Come here, then, comrade.”

  Anna moved across the bed and shifted to lie against Ollie’s shoulder, mirroring how they had cuddled together on the sofa. It was approximately a hundred times more comfortable, however, with all the space around them on Anna’s big bed and the duvet wrapped around them like a cocoon. She slid a hand slowly across Ollie’s flat stomach and felt the soft brushed cotton and the dip where her belly button was. She leant her chin against Ollie’s shoulder and pressed her lips to her collarbone, now exposed by the slightly low cut of the pyjama top.

  The skin beneath her lips puckered in goose pimples, but Ollie didn’t complain, and Anna figured it probably wasn’t the cold.

  Anna’s hand stilled, and she found herself taking pity on the lithe woman beneath her, supposing the effects she was having on Ollie were similar to those Ollie was having on her.

  Ollie slipped her hand up around Anna’s shoulders, her fingers curling between her shoulder blades. Her other hand reached across her own middle and slid over Anna’s hand, cupped her elbow, and pulled so she rolled closer. She sighed deeply and comfortably.

  Resting her knees against Ollie’s thigh, Anna hummed at the warmth now spreading through her tired bones. The icy feeling was melting away.

  “Goodnight, gorgeous,” Ollie said. As soon as it left her mouth, her whole body tensed.

  A happy-sounding noise vibrated in Anna’s throat, and she pressed a kiss against Ollie’s neck, and then another under her jaw.

  The body beneath her relaxed. Ollie dropped her chin and they kissed gently. Her hand strayed to Anna’s hip, her thumb rubbing the material of her pyjamas in time with the movements of their kiss.

  Anna giggled against Ollie and grasped her fingers, holding them still. Her eyes flickered open, and she found Ollie staring at her, looking guilty. “Ollie,” she growled, putting on a pout.

  “Sorry,” Ollie whispered, balling her fists for a beat before stilling her hands to hold Anna close.

  It felt natural to tuck her fingertips under Ollie’s back, and Anna snuggled against her shoulder.

  “Warmer now?”

  “Yes.” Anna yawned widely and closed her eyes again.

  “Hope you sleep well.”

  “I’m so comfortable,” Anna said. “How could I not?”

  “D’you snore?”

  Anna chuckled deep in her chest. “I don’t think so.” It’s like she can read my mind.

  “Good.”

  “Night.” Anna felt sleep drawing her down, like being pulled into a dark but safe ocean. Her body felt so heavy against Ollie’s, but the shared warmth caressed her all around.

  “Goodnight,” Ollie said.

  Chapter 10

  The Tea Cosy

  They had woken in one another’s arms, slowly and tentatively, and then kissed with horrible morning breath that probably neither of them cared about. Anna certainly didn’t.

  They had shared touches and glances in bed before coffee and breakfast had called them downstairs. Ollie had ducked out of their comfortable pyjama-clad little world to retreat back to her own flat. Their goodbye kiss had not been short.

  Their wonderful sleep together the previous night had convinced Anna—she would make Ollie something for Christmas. A teapot cosy seemed the thing after remembering a teapot in Ollie’s flat, stored on a high shelf with a layer of dust covering it. Ollie obviously didn’t have many people round, and certainly not many who would share a pot of tea with her.

  Tea was delicious. Sometimes Anna drank more than one cup after another. She fully intended on suggesting they have a pot next time she went to visit. It’s silly for her to own something she never uses. And with a cosy, it wouldn’t get cold if they were otherwise occupied and left it for, say, half an hour. An hour, maybe, she thought wistfully.

  She had seen Ollie’s flat and knew the shades of her décor but was unsure whether the paint and paper were of Ollie’s choosing. Anna wanted to know her favourite colour, or at least the one she would like for a pot-adorning crocheted item.

  Asking Ollie directly would ruin the surprise. So, after discussion with her daughter, who had a more devious mind than Anna had realised, she texted Ollie, a plan ready.

  Could I ask for Matthew’s number? Beth has a friend who’s gay; he’d really appreciate some support? Xxx

  She added an extra X as Bethany clomped up the stairs to her university work. Hopefully Ollie would notice and take it as a direct result of their night together.

  I spent the night with Ollie. Her stomach quivered at the thought, and she trailed the tips of her fingers over her neck, causing goose bumps. A few minutes later, she got a reply.

  I’m sure he’d be happy to help, here it is. Xxx

  The contact pinged to her phone a few seconds after Ollie’s text. She sent a brief text of thanks back before pressing the number and calling Matthew.

  He answered after a few rings. “Hello?”

  “Matthew? Hi, it’s Anna.” There was a pause. That’s thrown him. “Bit out of the blue, I know. Ollie gave me your number.”

  “Oh, okay,” he said, and she heard a rustle, then silence; perhaps he had sat down. “What can I do for you?”

  “I’ll get straight to the point. I’ve obtained your number under false pretences, I’m afraid. Ollie is under the impression I’m going to give your number to Bethany.”

  “Not my type,” he said without missing a beat.

  “I know. I’ve told Ollie she has a friend who’s gay and that her friend wants some support. She said you’d probably be happy to help, so here we are.”

  “Right. But that’s not why you’ve got my number?”

  “No,” Anna said. “I…Matthew, I want to make Ollie a tea cosy. For Christmas. A little twee, I’m aware, but she seems to have everything else, and I do so want to make her something lovely.”

  I hope my voice doesn’t display how eager I am, like some lovesick adolescent. She put her fingers to her forehead.

  “She’s a modest kind of person,” he said. “Don’t stress yourself out over making something too complicated. She’d be happy with anything you made her. Perhaps another bracelet?”

  Ollie had shown him the bracelet. How sweet. “Ah, yes,” Anna agreed. “But I would like to make her something special.”

  “She got that pot from Maggie. You know, the old lady who taught her to crochet.” He sounded slightly wary.

  “Oh.” Anna’s heart dropped. “Would she not want a cosy for it? I could make something else.”

  He paused and made a long noise, as if he were thinking. “Actually, I think a cosy would be a great idea.”

  “Do—do you?”

  “Yep. Why not? She never uses that thing.”

  “I no
ticed. Okay.” Anna set her jaw. “What colours do you think she’d like? I know her flat is mostly blue and grey. And green, isn’t it?” I wish I’d paid more attention to her décor.

  “Have you got a pattern?”

  “I have,” Anna said. “It’s got flowers and leaves and a little butterfly on it.”

  “I’d say two different tones of blue flower, dark green leaves, and…” He made the thinking noise again. “Maybe pale yellow as the main cosy.”

  “And the butterfly?”

  “Burgundy. That way there’s a bit of you in there too.”

  He really was a sensitive lad. “Thank you. I knew you’d be the perfect person to ask.”

  “Because I’m an avid follower of Dorothy?” he asked, adding a mock-offended tone.

  “No,” she said, amused. “Because you know her much better than I do.”

  There was a pause. She wanted to ask Matthew if Ollie had mentioned her. Maybe they’re not the kind of friends to talk about their love lives.

  “Did you have a nice time last night?” He broke the silence.

  “Um…yes. Yes, it was lovely, thank you.”

  “She slept over?” he asked, brazen as could be.

  “Did she say she was going to?” Maybe I can wheedle something out of him after all.

  “No, I just figured, dinner, movie—maybe she’d end up staying.”

  “Well, she did, if you must know.” She paused for effect. “And that’s all I’m saying.”

  He groaned, and she found herself laughing at the young man. “So unfair. The one time she has a date and I can’t get any sordid details.”

  “I’ll let Ollie tell you herself next time you see her.”

  He huffed and groaned again.

  “And, speaking of Ollie, not a word about the cosy, okay?”

  “Mum’s the word.”

  “Good. Thank you ever so much for your help, Matthew.”

  “You’re very welcome. Have a nice afternoon.”

  “You too.”

  Twenty days until Christmas. Ollie was speaking with a customer about buttons. She was trying desperately to listen, but her mind kept flicking back to how Anna had felt in her arms, the apple scent of her hair, and the warmth of her body.

  The customer left the shop with a tinkle of the bell. Ollie nearly fell from her chair when Anna stepped out from around the corner, a hand up in greeting and her arms full of balls of yarn.

  She smiled at Ollie from under her eyelashes, and Ollie nearly tripped over the corner of the desk to get to her. Anna stuck out her free arm and laughed as Ollie took the support with good grace.

  “You prat,” Anna said.

  “Do excuse the clumsiness. Someone seems to make me fall over my own feet when they’re around.” She lifted a hand to cup Anna’s cheek and then pressed a kiss of greeting to her lips.

  They were careful, didn’t want to get carried away in case someone came in. But the smouldering look on Anna’s face was plain to see as the kiss broke.

  “I should have said I was coming.” Anna held out her chosen balls and then dropped them onto the desk.

  Ollie rang up her purchases, knocking off twenty percent. She hoped Anna didn’t notice. “I would have closed the shop for a few minutes,” she said. “Made you a cup of tea.”

  Her cheekbones tinged with red, Anna stood fiddling with the strap of her handbag. Why does she look nervous?

  “No need.” Anna shoved the balls of wool into her cloth bag as if she wanted to get them out of sight as quickly as possible.

  Ollie watched her curiously.

  “I’m sorry to say I can’t stay. Things to do.”

  Ollie’s stomach fell as Anna looked over her shoulder at the door to the shop and then stepped around the desk to Ollie’s side. Gathering her off the chair, she kissed her hungrily.

  Responding in kind, Ollie moved her hands around Anna’s waist to the small of her back and curled into her red coat. I wish I could lift her up onto the desk. Her body hummed. She settled for dipping her tongue into Anna’s mouth and pressing her against the desk, relishing the little noises Anna made.

  The simultaneous noises of Anna’s handbag clunking to the floor and the little bell at the door ringing broke them apart. To Ollie’s amusement, they were both panting.

  Anna wiped her mouth and ducked away as Ollie smiled at the customer, who, thankfully, was Sarah. With her eyebrows raised, Sarah looked from one to the other and strode out of their line of sight with the pretence of looking at yarn.

  Unable to stop the grin that made her cheeks ache, Ollie caught Anna’s hand and kissed her knuckles. “I’ll see you on Thursday?” she asked.

  It seemed to snap Anna out of her embarrassment. She scampered away.

  Ollie had nowhere to run, however, when Sarah sidled up to her. Anna’s red coat disappeared out the door, and Ollie blinked at the snow starting to fall.

  “So you finally got around to asking her out?” Sarah brought a couple of balls of yarn to the desk. She held them back, however, implying she wouldn’t hand them over until Ollie answered.

  “Sort of.” Ollie held out her hand, her other arm folded across her front.

  Sarah rolled her eyes. Ollie rung up her purchases.

  I’ve known Sarah for years; I should be able to tell her things. “We had our first official date at the weekend.”

  A high-pitched squeal made Ollie’s ears hurt, and Sarah grabbed Ollie’s hands before pulling her half over the desk. A squeak of shock to nearly compete with Sarah’s excitement ripped from Ollie’s throat as she nearly fell forward, having to brace her hips against the desk. She stumbled and yanked her hands from Sarah’s.

  “Double date, then? With me and Christian?”

  Ollie looked at Sarah in horror until Sarah’s face broke into a grin. Oh, she’s joking. “I think we’ll pass.”

  After a strenuous day at the shop, Ollie relaxed on her sofa with a big mug of hot chocolate, sufficiently dosed up with painkillers. I need to start planning my gift for Anna, at least get an idea what she’d like.

  She decided the best person to ask about this would be a family member. She had access to a certain daughter, however roundabout her way of contacting her might be.

  She found Matthew’s number in her phone and hit Call.

  “Hello?” he said, stretching out the end of the word.

  “Hey, Matthew. How are you?”

  “About to fall head over heels for Noah Wyle in hospital scrubs.”

  She snorted. “Have you still not watched that ER box set?”

  “I’m just doing it now.”

  “Say hi to Abby Lockhart for me when you get to season six.”

  He groaned. “I’ll be asleep by then. Mashed into a vodka-induced stupor on my sofa.”

  “Living the life, soldier.” Ollie paused as she took a mouthful of hot chocolate, allowing the sweetness to fill her senses.

  “What can I do for you, anyway?”

  “Oh, right.” Ollie’s voice was hoarse, so she cleared her throat. This is so inappropriate, but I’ve got to ask. “Um. Yeah. I was wondering if I could have Bethany Rose’s number?”

  He paused. “Oh. What for?”

  “I want to get Anna something for Christmas, and I’ve no idea what to get her, and you know how I’m no good at subtlety.”

  He let out a seemingly involuntary ‘ha’.

  “Yes, all right. I was going to text her and ask what her mother would like.”

  “I don’t have it anymore,” Matthew said. “Deleted it once her friend texted me.”

  She stared into the dark depths of her drink. “Oh. Well, do you have her friend’s number? Maybe you could ask him?” A pause. “Her?”

  “It was a him,” Matthew said, his voice a little strained. “And…I deleted it as
well.”

  “Already?”

  “It was brief. I put him onto the local LGBT support network. Sorry.”

  “You don’t have it…written down or…?”

  “No.”

  “Right. Tip-top.” She tried to hide her disappointment. “Never mind, then.”

  “Were you going to make something…or…?” He left the question hanging.

  “I don’t know.” Dammit. Unless I actually go round when she’s not there, I’m never going to get to talk to the kid. “Anyway, thanks.” She felt dejected.

  “Sorry I couldn’t help more.”

  “No problem.”

  “Bye, then.” The line went dead.

  What was that about? Matthew had sounded like he was making excuses, but he and Ollie didn’t have the kind of relationship where you questioned things like that. I’ll just have to make a wild guess and hope she likes whatever I’ve made her. Damn!

  Ollie’s phone rang a few minutes later. She stared at it and emotion bubbled within her. Helen’s number flashed on the screen. She’s calling me. Finally, she’s calling me.

  Answering the call, Ollie pressed her mobile to her ear. “Helen.”

  “Hello, Mum.”

  There was a pause. Ollie felt like she should say something, but Helen had called her, not the other way around.

  “Um. Sorry. Should have maybe texted… Are you busy?”

  “Not at all. Just sitting down with a hot chocolate.”

  “Yum.”

  Ollie pulled the drink towards her nose, hoping the sweet smell would comfort her racing heartbeat.

  “So, anyway. Sorry.” Helen seemed to be tripping over her words. Ollie gave her plenty of time. “Kieran said you have a new partner.”

  “That’s right.”

  “I’m assuming she’s a she.”

  Ollie swallowed. “She is a she, yes.”

  Silence. Then a noise of frustration. “Fine. Whatever. Just thought we should probably meet her.”