Page 114 of Take Her On

Maddie’s parents were first, looking slightly uncomfortable in simple black T-shirts. Bless them, they tried. Maddie and her mum were spitting images of each other—the same aquiline nose and striking green eyes—but couldn’t be more different in personality. Her mum gave them big enthusiastic hugs that were on par with the ones they’d received at graduation. Then in poured acquaintances from uni, and a lot of people Maya and Jamie had never met before, who looked very confused over their choice of outfit.

When the time came to hide in the living room and switch off the lights, Maya’s heart quickened in her chest. The keys rattled in the door, two distinct voices continued their conversation about who was the best Batman, and then Maddie’s brother led her into the room.

“Surprise!” everyone shouted, leaping up and firing party poppers in her direction.

Technically, it wasn’t a surprise. Alex had forewarned Maddie about certain things that would be happening today, leaving out the part about fancy dress.

Maddie’s eyes widened as she took in the room full of friends and family, each dressed in her signature style. Her laughter broke through, a sound of pure joy and disbelief. “Oh my god. Look at all of you.”

Maya had never seen Maddie smile so much. She’d half-expected her to roll her eyes and make a beeline straight for the salted pretzels. She greeted those close to her, then made her way around the room. When she set eyes on the two of them, she burst out laughing.

“This is going to ruin my reputation forever.” She tugged at the fuzzy belt of Maya’s pink dressing gown before lightly whipping her with it. “Nobody knows I secretly like pink.” She turned to Jamie. “And you. I expected better of you, Jaim. I thought we were friends?”

“Now we can be fuzzy pink friends.”

“I hate you.”

The party kicked into high gear. Drinks flowed, people laughed, and the piñata got beaten to a paper pulp, courtesy of Maddie and her dad. She seemed to be having a good time, which Maya was relieved about. Even Alex relaxed as the night wore on.

When an old-school karaoke was fetched from Maddie’s auntie’s car, it made a night at Rosie’s look like afternoon tea at a nursing home. These people didn’t do things by halves. The mix of Maddie’s clothing influence and the energetic performances made an incredibly entertaining combination. A tipsy neighbour performed renditions of “Dancing Queen” and “Living on a Prayer” with a trace of a Spanish accent. Then Maddie’s mum tentatively sang a popular Beatles song that was well received and pretty adorable, even with her face heavy with Maddie-make-up.

Jamie put her arm around Maya’s waist. “You know what’s weird?” she murmured in her ear.

“How Maddie’s auntie is managing to do a handstand and sing at the same time?”

She chuckled. “I mean, yeah, that is impressive, but that’s not what I was going to say.” Her voice took on a throaty edge. “Is it weird how hot I think you are in this pink dressing gown?”

An electric current jolted through Maya’s stomach. “Really?”

“Mmm. I missed you.” Jamie’s fingers dug into her side, and she exhaled.

Maya’s mind caught on the memory of her fingers awakening a pulsing inside. “We can’t here.”

“No one is going to notice while this is happening.”

Maya glanced around the room. She had a point. A little dance area had broken out in front of the “stage”—a small space in the corner marked by cushions—while the rest of the guests were cheering on with Eurovision-like enthusiasm.

They snuck out of the room, Jamie’s hands already wandering over Maya’s legs and arse as they headed up the stairs.

Someone is really feeling this pink ensemble. Who knew?

Jamie kissed her, pushing her back against a bedroom door and pressing her hand between her legs. Maya grunted, welcoming the pressure, and pulled her body closer. There was a collective cheer from downstairs. Maybe they were embodying Maya’s internal reaction, or maybe Maddie’s auntie had started performing other professional karaoke tricks. Right now, Maya couldn’t care less.

Jamie brushed their hot tongues together, and Maya’s stomach rolled, needing more of her, right now. She fumbled behind her for the door handle and pushed it open.

They stumbled back towards the bed, a mess of hands and legs and mouths, and landed on something hard. It yelped, and Maya tore herself from Jamie. Hannah and Leah were tangled on the bed in various states of undress.

“Jesus, guys.” Maya laughed, and Jamie rolled sideways, almost tumbling to the floor. Maya caught her at the last second, and they bumped heads.

“You could’ve knocked first,” Hannah said, pulling up her bra strap.

Maya rubbed her forehead. “Sorry, I didn’t realise anyone was in here.”

“I think the other room is free,” Leah said, her cheeks flushed and her blonde hair defying gravity.

“Thanks.” Jamie grabbed Maya’s hand, and they headed next door, feeling like naughty teenagers.

With the door closed behind them, they burst out laughing as the sound of a badly sung Cher song filtered up from the room below. It had been a whirlwind day so far. Maya could hardly keep up with her surging emotions.