Page 126 of Touch of Class

“Touch is kind of my thing.”

“You are very good at it.” Gillian kissed her on the mouth this time. “But I don’t just mean in the sexy ways. Your touch inspires me, soothes me, nudges me forward, and pulls me back. I know I took a long time to come around, but I’m all in.”

“I know.” Daphne wrapped both arms around her and ran one hand up into those thick red strands of hair she hadn’t yet grown tired of trying to muss up. “And you’ve got some magic touches of your own. A touch of dry humor, a touch of grace I didn’t expect, a touch of arrogance mixed with a touch of sweetness, and a touch of class you use to make everyone around you better.”

“Sounds like we’re a pretty touchy couple.” Gillian pressed her forehead against Daphne’s. “No one from high school would believe it.”

“Are you kidding me? Our whole school wanted this before we did.”

“So did all my friends.”

“So did Hugh and Izzy.”

“Better late to the party than missing it completely …” Gillian kissed her quickly. “… because while we may’ve taken the long way to get here, I’m very glad I didn’t miss this.”

“Me too.” Daphne gave her a tight squeeze and released her, turning to watch all their friends though the windows for a second. “I don’t want to miss any of this with you.”

They kissed each other in earnest, sinking into the safety and sensuality, the heat of their bodies more than making up for the frigid air around them, until the door to the house slid open and Sawyer cleared their throat. “Sorry to interrupt, but it’s, like, fifteen minutes to midnight, and I know you didn’t forget the champagne, but I can’t find where you put it.”

“Chilling by the door in the garage.”

“Ah.” Sawyer tapped a finger to their temple. “Nature’s cooler. You really are the brightest of us all.”

“There’s sparkling cider for Izzy,” Gillian called after them but wasn’t sure they heard, so she turned back to Daphne apologetically. “Sorry, I better go supervise.”

“Of course you think that.” She teased, but she happily followed her back into the bustle of activity. TVs were tuned to the countdown, corks were popped with finesse, flutes were found, filled, and passed around.

“Four more minutes,” Robin called. “Does everyone have a drink?”

They all glanced around before Gillian’s eyes widened. “Where’d Brooke and Tegan go?”

“Hey Teekesy,” Robin called down the stairs, but got no answer.

“Three minutes,” Izzy yelled.

“Where could they be?” Sawyer checked the theater before shaking their head.

“You don’t think they snuck off to …” Robin glanced at the kid in the room, then just waggled her eyebrows.

“I mean, who could blame them? They’re a hot couple,” Hugh said, then added, “What? I’m gay, not blind.”

Suddenly, a flicker of movement in the moonlight caught Daphne’s eye. “They’re outside. Look on the dock.”

“Tell them to get in here.” Robin threw open the door, with Gillian right at her side, but then they both froze.

“What is it?” Daphne asked.

Gillian turned and lifted a finger to her lips but eased out of the way for the others to see. There, silhouetted in the black and white light of a wintery night, Brooke sank to one knee and held something small out in the palm of her hand.

Sawyer gasped. “Is this really happening?”

Everyone watched in silence for a few seconds.

“God, I wish I could hear what she was saying,” Robin whispered.

“Something about white dresses and babies and the rest of their lives,” Gillian whispered calmly.

Everyone turned to her.