Something Better

I Want To Wish You Merry Christmas

"You went back to her house?! And then you took her out for frozen custard?!" Ronnie's voice got higher and higher as he spoke.

"Yeah, that's what I just said," Brandon answered, "Try and say it a little higher, I think some dog in the next street didn't hear you."

"Listen, you little smart ass, please tell me you kissed her," Ronnie said with expectant eyebrows raised.

"No, I didn't kiss her," Brandon said with a little smile, "I thought about it, but I know it's not the right time and I like her and I don't want to fuck it up,"

"You're so sensitive!" Ronnie smiled, "You didn't fuck up your last relationship, Sophie did. Just don't wait too long to make your move, you don't want her to think you're not into her."

"I know you're right," Brandon continued, "Timing is the key!"

"OK handsome, wait for the gods of fate!" Ronnie said dramatically looking up to the ceiling, "Talking of time, Christmas dinner is at 7 sharp, don't be late or I'll be forced to carve you alongside the turkey."

"Can I invite Martha?" Brandon asked quickly as the idea popped into his head.

"So it's not the right time, but you'll happily spend Christmas day with her? You blow my mind Brando!" Ronnie said shaking his head, "But hey, who am I to stand in the way of 'I'm nearly ready to date you, come spend Christmas with me!'" Ronnie looked at Brandon with a smug grin.

"Who is being a smart ass now?" Brandon shot back, "Ask Lisa if I can invite her and text me later, I gotta go," Brandon said standing up and walking towards the door out of the studio.

"It'll be fine, but I'll let you know later," Ronnie called after him, "Where are you going anyway?"

"A little Christmas shopping," Brandon called back through the door as it was closing.

He climbed into his truck and drove out on to the main road. It had been almost a week since he had seen Martha, he had texted her everyday with some sort of funny comment or question. He didn't want to lose the connection they had made last Thursday. It had been like the perfect first date, but it wasn't a date, although it felt like one. He couldn't stop thinking about her and he hoped to make a move soon, like he said to Ronnie, timing was the key.

He pulled into a car park and got himself ready to face the Christmas shoppers and the shops.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us to Martin's brother's for Christmas Day?" Charles whined at Martha over the coffee shop table,"I'll feel so guilty thinking about you all alone in your crazy little mis matched house at Christmas!" He looked at her over his steaming latte.

"I'll be fine!" Martha said with a smile, "I'll be working flat out until Christmas Eve, believe me I'll welcome the rest! I'll have a pyjama day and watch some Christmas TV and you will not feel guilty anyway," Martha continued, "A couple of mugs of mulled wine and you will have forgotten about poor me in my mis matched home!" Martha smirked.

"You're right," Charles sighed, "But not about the mulled wine, who wants hot wine in California?" He pouted. "I will see you before you fly home to Scotland for New Year's," Charles said with a sigh, "Two days with his family is enough for me! It's enough for them too I suppose," He said with a smile as he finished off his drink.

"I think you've hit the nail on the head there," Martha smiled, finishing off her own cup of tea.

"Have you heard from your 'business partner' today?" Charles smirked as he stood up to fix his coat.

"Not today," Martha laughed, collecting her shopping bags, "He usually texts later in the day," Martha stuck her tongue out at Charles' back as left the coffee shop.