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Oddly, despite two of us having lost our partners, the atmosphere improves after Cassie and Cam’s departure. The drink continues to flow, and we order a couple of platters of breads, dips, and hot savory nibbles to soak up the alcohol. The bar also delivers a plate of mince pies to each table. Much laughter ensues when Aroha sneezes as she goes to take a bite of hers, sending a shower of icing sugar all over James.
“I should put you over my knee for that,” he tells her, dusting it off his hair and sending her an amused look, and she turns scarlet.
“I seem to remember you telling me the same thing,” Missie murmurs to me with an impish glint in her eye.
I dip my head so my mouth is close to her ear. “And I’m still planning to.”
She lifts her gaze to me, and our eyes lock. All the hairs rise on the back of my neck. She looks amazing tonight. The kiss we shared at the school fair was explosive, and I’ve barely thought about anything else since. I want to kiss her again. But not here, not in front of everyone. This time I want it quiet and private, so I can concentrate on her and nothing else.
Eventually I tear my gaze away as the MC starts the next round, but from that moment on the atmosphere changes between us. I’m sure we look as if we’re acting normally, but I’m conscious of her with every cell in my body, and I know she feels the same from how her breathing changes, and the way she’s distracted and only half-listening to everyone else.
At one point, I have to visit the Gents. Rather than make everyone move, I climb over the back of the bench. When I come back though, I discover that Gaby has squeezed on the bench next to Juliette, shoving Missie further along, and there’s no room left for me.
I put my hands on my hips and then gesture to Gaby to move back. She gives me the finger.
“Right.” I go behind Missie and instruct her to stand up.
“There’s no room,” she objects, laughing.
I hold her gaze and scold, “Do as you’re told.” Lips curving, she lifts up and leans forward on the table. I climb over the back and slide onto the bench behind her.
“Where am I going to—”
I pull her onto my lap, and she squeals, then laughs and turns, putting an arm around my neck. The others whistle, and James asks me, “Jesus, how many whiskies have you had?”
He knows I don’t normally do this kind of thing in public. But I haven’t had that much to drink. The truth is that I feel almost dizzy with desire. Or maybe it’s just that it’s nearly Christmas, and the very air is filled with excitement, as well as glitter from the balloons above our heads that scatter everything with fairy dust.
Whatever it is, I revel in the feel of Missie so close to me, soft in my arms, her arm around me, and her hair tumbling over my shoulder. I have to fight not to turn and bury my face in it, or pull her head down so I can kiss her. I want to lift the hem of her top, slide my hands beneath, and trace my fingers over her bare skin.
I don’t though. I behave myself, as we take the last round of questions, which is on Christmas movies. Juliette and Henry get into an argument about whether the actor who plays Daniel Cleaver in Bridget Jones is Colin Firth or Hugh Grant. I can tell from the glint in Henry’s eye that he knows it’s Hugh Grant, but he’s teasing her on purpose, forcing her to argue with him until she’s red-cheeked with earnestness. They’ve always been like this, and now Cam’s not here, something’s kicking off between them.
The same thing is going on with Aroha and James—he’s resting one arm along the back of the bench, which just happens to be behind her, so she’s tucked against him the same way Missie was earlier. That’s a little more worrying, as I know he’s going to be upset over what’s just happened with Cassie, and he’s had quite a lot to drink. I know he likes Aroha—he told me that ages ago, when they first met—but I’d hate him to sleep with her on the rebound, because that wouldn’t be fair to her and it wouldn’t be good for him. But hey, he’s a grown man and has to deal with the repercussions of his actions like the rest of us, so I leave him to it and concentrate on the woman in my arms.
Our table comes second overall in the quiz, which we’re thrilled with considering how much we’ve drunk. Gaby goes up to collect our trophy and prize—a giant box of Favourites—and then it’s time for the party. They lower the lights and turn up the music, and the smallish wooden floor is soon filled with people dancing toI Wish it Could Be Christmas EverydayandStep Into Christmas. Behind the DJ they have a projector playing Christmas and party scenes on the wall, and they release balloons and streamers that add to the festive atmosphere.
We all stay where we are for a while, just enjoying being together and relaxing after what’s been an intense year. But eventually I hear Justin Bieber’sMistletoestart up, and the urge to dance with Missie becomes too much.
“Everyone up,” I instruct. They complain, but I say, “I want to dance and I’m not making Missie climb over everyone—up!”
They all grumble, but I have a sneaky feeling that none of them is disappointed to take to the dance floor. Tyson enjoys being able to dance with his wife for the first Christmas in a long time, Aroha and James are soon locked together. And Juliette and Henry, while standing a polite six inches apart and saying nothing, are oozing sexual tension.
But I ignore them all and concentrate on the woman in my arms. Missie is soft and warm, and she smells amazing. I hold her right hand and rest mine in the small of her back, and we move slowly to the music. Glitter sparkles in the air, and some of it has fallen on Missie’s skin, so it shines in the flashing fairy lights.
“Thank you for inviting me out,” she says. She’s wearing a pair of sexy strappy sandals that have exceptionally high heels, making her around five-ten, but she’s still smaller than me, and she has to look up into my eyes.
“Thanks for coming. Finn didn’t mind you going out?”
She shakes her head. “He was pleased for me. I don’t get out much. Carly and I go out sometimes, but we’re getting old now, so we’re usually home by ten.” She smiles.
“Is Carly married?”
“Yes, to Sean. They’ve been trying for a baby for a couple of years, but she hasn’t fallen yet.”
“That’s tough.”
“Yeah. They’re young, though. They’ve got plenty of time.”
“What about you?” I ask her. “Do you want more kids?”
