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“Do you need me to help you?” I ask.
“Nope.” She steps out and slams the door shut.
“Great,” I grumble, getting out. Inside the house, I toe off my heels and pad upstairs. Should I change into something more casual?
I smooth my hands over my dress. I like it. And I don’t feel like finding something else to wear. I’m chilly, though, so I duck into my room and grab a red cardigan.
“Really dialing up the nerd factor there, Em,” Libby says from my doorway.
“Thanks.” I slam my closet door shut and glare at her. Maybe a night apart will be good for both of us. “Do you have everything you need?”
She holds up her overstuffed backpack. “Yup.”
“Let’s go.”
Everyone’s already there when we arrive. They’ve pushed several tables together in the back of the restaurant to form one long table. Half of the cast of the play is standing on wobbly chairs, belting out an old show tune. The server who greets us rolls her eyes and glances at the silverware like she’s contemplating sticking a fork in her ear.
“God, they’re so cringe,” Libby mutters.
“Don’t act like you’re not dying to jump in there and sing along,” I tease, giving her a nudge toward her friends.
She heaves out a dramatic sigh but hurries to the table.
Dex has taken up a seat at the end, away from the kids’ shenanigans. Melissa and Frank are seated across from him with some of the other parents. Dex tips his head up and a warm smile spreads across his face. He stands and touches the back of the chair next to him, then stares at me as if he wants me to understand he has a specific seating arrangement in mind.
“Sorry!” Libby says to him. “I went as fast as I could.”
Sure, she’ll apologize to Dex.
He drops his gaze to her and smiles. “No worries, Libby. I just got here myself.”
“Libby!” a bunch of her friends shout in unison. She hurries to join them.
Dex pulls out the chair next to him and gestures for me to take it.
“Thanks,” I murmur, slipping by him and dropping into the seat.
Melissa leans across the table. “We ordered most of the menu. Pepperoni, cheese, bread sticks, chicken wings.” She circles her hand in the air. “The works.”
“Sounds good,” I say, somewhat distracted. My body’s hyperaware of Dex’s presence as he pulls his chair right next to mine, then sits close enough that we’re touching from hip to knee.
He drapes his arm over the back of my chair, lightly resting his hand on my shoulder. So casually handsome and slightly possessive, it steals my breath. My body tingles in all the places where we’re connected.
When everyone’s attention is drawn to the opposite end of the table, Dex leans closer. “I should’ve told you earlier how pretty you look tonight,” he whispers in my ear. “I like those colors on you.”
Heat fans over my chest. I drop my gaze, studying the forest green, gold, and red plaid material. “I was worried it was too close to Christmas colors.” Why is it always so hard for me to accept a compliment without over-explaining myself?
He skims his fingers against my shoulder until his thumb lightly grazes the side of my neck, making me shiver. “It’s perfect on you.”
Thank God I’m wearing a padded bra tonight. “Thanks.”
“How long have you guys been together?” Melissa shouts.
It takes a second to realize her question’s directed at us. Dex stares at me and raises an eyebrow, silently letting me know I can field this inquiry.
“A few months,” I answer vaguely.
“Really?” Melissa squeals. “You’re so…cozy with each other. I would’ve guessed much longer.” She elbows Frank in the ribs. “Right? I said, how has Emily been hiding this handsome man away from us?”
Frank grunts in response.
“We met through friends,” Dex says. “So we’ve known each other for a while. We’re godparents to their son.”
Was that his subtle reminder that we’re going to be around each other a lot in the future?
“Oh, how sweet!” Melissa sighs.
Thankfully, the conversation shifts toward tonight’s performance. The kids throw out ideas for the next show. Libby doesn’t offer any opinions but she’s smiling, giggling, and seems happy.
Maybe I have been smothering her.
“Hey.” Dex rubs my shoulder. “You okay?”
“Yeah.”
When the food finally arrives, I’m too anxious to do more than pick at a slice of cheese pizza. Underneath the table, Dex rests his hand on my leg. An offer of comfort, I think, not seduction. Somehow, that makes the gesture even sweeter.
It seems like we’re there for hours. But finally, the kids wind down. Their collective high from the performance gives way to exhaustion.
“All right. Who’s riding with me?” Frank asks, raising his hand.
Caroline squeals and hugs Libby.
“How many are you hosting, Frank?” I ask. “I can take a few girls in my car.”
“Yeah, that’d be great.”
