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I really hoped I hadn't said that out loud.
When his eyes met mine for the first time without a phone or laptop screen in the way, my heart actually flipped over inside my chest. His eyes were so, so blue. So much better in real life, and his smile... butterflies went crazy inside my stomach.
Get a hold of yourself, you idiot! I'd never had a problem talking to him on FaceTime, so I really didn't want to come across as an airhead now.
"Hi," I said confidently, and for the first time, I noticed he too looked a little dazed. I thanked God I wasn't the only one.
"Hi." He started to hold his hand out as if to shake mine, and then he laughed and put it down to his side again. "Sorry. It's weird to actually be able to touch you, and I'm not sure what to do."
His cheeks tinged with a blush as he realised what he'd said, and I laughed too, stepping forward. "I say we just tackle the awkwardness head on and go for a hug."
My words broke the ice, and we both took another step closer to each other, my arms winding around him, and his slipped around my waist. His coat was cold, but I wasn't sure that was what made me shudder. As he felt my shiver, he said, "Sorry. I should have warmed up a bit first."
"That's okay," I said as we broke apart, and I shivered again. "It won't take long for the heat to kick in."
I felt my own cheeks warm, like I'd just blurted out some random innuendo, and this time, he was the one to laugh. "Can I get you a drink?"
"No, don't worry about that," Becky said, and I turned to her. I'd kind of forgotten she was there. "What are you having, Bray? Can you even drink tonight if you have to drive?"
"I’ll be okay to have one beer. Thanks."
She gave me a wink before heading to the table we'd been sitting at and picking up her purse to go to the bar.
"Shall we sit?" I asked, and he nodded.
He led the way to our table, and I slid into the seat I'd been in earlier, and he sat down opposite me, in the seat not occupied by Becky's bag and coat. As he shrugged off his own coat, I tried hard not to stare as he revealed a blue shirt and some dark jeans. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, and I noticed a small sprinkling of chest hair.
I very much approved.
"I can't believe we're really doing this,” Brayden said as he sat back in his chair, his eyes still on me. "You look incredible, by the way."
I ducked my head briefly, trying not to scream like a teenage girl looking at her schoolgirl crush. "I guess since you have mostly seen me either in my work clothes or in my PJs, this would be an improvement!"
I gestured down to the black dress I was wearing. I'd agonised over what to wear for so long I was sure some of my wardrobe had gone out of fashion, but you can't really go wrong with an LBD. It was short enough to be sexy, but not so much that I looked like I was trying to throw myself at him, and the top showed just a hint of cleavage, but not so much that I was at any risk of falling out. My heels may have been a bit over the top, but it was Christmas Eve, and I really didn't get to wear the strappy beauties that often.
Brayden laughed out loud. "You always look great. Just… even better in reality."
I raised an eyebrow. "You scrub up pretty well yourself."
Just as he had seen me in my comfy clothes, I had also seen him pretty chilled out, in sweats and old t-shirts. Sure, the first few times we video called, I made some effort, ensuring I didn't look too scruffy. However, once, he’d called me when I wasn't expecting it, and since he didn't run away screaming, "MONSTER!", I relaxed a little more after that.
Just then, Becky came back and placed a drink for me and a drink for Brayden down, but kept hers in her hand. She picked up her jacket and bag. "Here you go. Enjoy! I'm going to sit with Hannah and James for a bit."
Under any other circumstances, with anyone else, I would have been miffed she'd abandoned me, but she knew just how long I had been waiting for this moment, and I gave her a grateful smile as she smirked at me then walked away with a sway in her step. She was clearly pretty proud of her matchmaking skills.
**
A couple of hours later, Brayden and I were getting along better than I could have hoped. At some point earlier in the evening, Becky had moved on to a different pub with some of our other friends, but Brayden and I had been content to stay where we were, talking as easily as we always had. Eventually though, we both caved in to the need to join in with the dancing, and he took my hand and walked me to the dancefloor. Slade's Merry Christmas Everybody played, and most people were beyond hammered, singing along and waving their arms in the air.
A feeling of festive happiness fill
ed me up as I stood with Brayden, amongst a lot of strangers, enjoying the seasonal spirit coursing through us all.
"So, you're really into this Christmas thing," Brayden said with a smile, leaning in close to my ear so I could hear him over the noise.
"What gave me away?" I laughed as I swayed my arms in time with everyone else.
"Hmm, maybe that huge smile on your face."
