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"You have no idea what kind of help I was going to offer. I just happen to be an expert at zippers." I chuckled and leaned down and kissed her cheek.
“I’m sure you are,” she said, rolling her eyes at me and laughing.
"We should probably get in and get a table."
"You are probably right. Besides, I am starving."
"Can't have you starving. You need your strength.” I winked. “Come, let’s go." I placed my hand on her lower back and guided her into the event hall.
It took a bit, but we finally found an unoccupied table for two and took our seat just in time to for the food to be served.
I placed my spoon down on the table and looked over at Tess, who had just put the last spoonful of dessert in her mouth. "Looks like you are really enjoying that."
"So good," she said, leaning back against her seat as the music played.
"Would you like another drink?" I asked.
"I would love one."
"All right, you stay here. I'll be right back."
I looked over my shoulder at her sitting at the table as I made my way through the crowd. I didn’t want to take my eyes off her. Music was playing and people were dancing as the music played. I carried our drinks back to the table we'd been sitting at only to find it empty.
I looked out onto the dance floor, trying to find Tess, but couldn’t see her anywhere. When I turned back around, I spotted her. She was standing outside on the balcony off the hall.
She stood there, holding her phone in her hands as she typed feverishly away, a frown on her face. I watched as the screen lit up on her phone and she stomped her foot, quickly typing again.What the hell was going on?
Again, the screen lit up, only this time she didn’t bother to respond. Instead she shoved her phone into her purse and wrapped my suit jacket over her bare shoulders, staring out to the ski hills.
I watched her for a moment through the window, leaning against the concrete ledge. Whatever that had been about it had seemed to take her a million miles away. I watched as she stood looking out over the ski hills, and I frowned when I saw her bring her hand up and wipe her cheek. I left our drinks on the table and made my way over to the closest door that led outside.
She turned in time to see me step outside. "Hey," she whispered, a soft smile coming to her lips.
"Hey. What are you doing out here?" I questioned, going over to her, wrapping my arms around her to warm her. I hoped she would talk to me without me having to pry. I wanted her to trust me, to talk to me, to confide in me.
"Just thinking."
"Uh oh, that is never good after copious amounts of alcohol. What about?"
“Tell me about it.” Tess laughed, and then shrugged, her face turning serious as she looked across the way at the lit ski hills. "One should never think too hard about anything," she whispered, leaning back against me, going quiet again.
I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight, resting my chin on her head, and instantly I wondered if it was probably Derrick who had messaged her.
"Well, if you aren't going to tell me what's going through your mind, I say we head inside and dance for a bit."
Tess stood there in my arms, leaning against me, and then whispered, "Just a few more minutes. I’d just like to stand here wrapped in your arms for a few more minutes."
I frowned and held her tighter, wondering what the hell had made her say that to me. I held her until she took my hand in hers and pulled me inside.
The party was in full swing. People were dancing, drinks were pouring, and appetizers were being served. We danced and drank for hours, and the longer I held her in my arms, the more comfortable I felt. The party was wild, and before we knew it, the time to countdown to the new year was almost here.
They brought around glasses of champagne for everyone, and we stood surrounded by couples as we began the countdown to the new year.
"Ten... Nine... Eight..."
I turned Tess around so she was facing me and looked down into her eyes.
"Seven... Six... Five..." We counted together. She looked up at me and smiled, resting her hand on my chest.
