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“Probably that quirky little one… ‘Baby it’s Cold Outside.’ It’s so romantic, don’t you think?”
“The one where she desperately wants to leave, but he’s begging her to stay?” I laugh. “Yeah, that one’s alright, I guess.”
She pushes my shoulder. “No, I think she really wanted to stay too.”
“Yeah, maybe,” I watch Sophie and Nick dance. She’s keeping a fair distance, but she looks up at him with a grin, and her eyes crinkle with happiness a few times. It certainly seems like his tactics are working on her. As many times as she comes into my view, she never makes eye contact with me. Not once. She only has eyes for him.
Finally, the song ends, and another upbeat tune begins. Nick darts away for another drink and Sophie joins us with an exhilarated smile. “Well, this is fun, isn’t it?”
Maureen still has her hand on my arm even after we’ve parted. “Seriously, this is great! I haven’t danced in so long.”
The two of them begin to sway and step to the beat of the new song, and I have to actively pull my eyes away from Sophie. She moves her hips to the rhythm in such a carefree, relaxed way, and I’m too enticed by her to trust my own gaze. I didn’t expect to see her so comfortable with herself, but she’s clearly in her element. And the way she moves does things to me I don’t want to admit.
“Come on, Kai,” Sophie laughs. “Don’t stand there like a statue.”
I grab another glass of champagne from a passing tray and laugh. “You don’t want to see me dance.”
“Oh yes we do,” Maureen says with a nod.
I sigh and look around at everyone. It’s not that I can’t dance. I just don’t particularly want to embarrass myself in front of Sophie.
But, thankfully, I don’t have to, because Nick rejoins us with another drink and a gigantic chocolate cupcake in his hand.
“Don’t loooookkk at it Soph…” he says with a slur as he holds it away from her.
She laughs lightly, but her smile doesn’t touch her eyes.
“Nick,” Maureen giggles. “Haven’t you had quite enough to drink tonight?”
He shakes his head and takes another gulp. “Not even close. That’s another Russian advantage. We can handle a drink better than most...”
“Clearly you cannot,” I mumble as he stumbles over his own feet.
Sophie wipes her forehead and looks at his chocolate cake. “What is that, like your third dessert?”
He waves her off. “Don’t worry about it. You can’t have any anyway.”
She stares at him for a silent moment before she speaks again. “I’m exhausted. I think I’m going to go sit down.”
He looks at Maureen with widened eyes. “Have you seen the size of the ornaments on these trees?” He gestures toward the Christmas trees.
Maureen peers in that direction. “They look…big?”
“They’re like the size of your face!” he slurs, grabbing her arm and pulling her away from us.
Sophie purses her lips as they leave, then she glances at me. “Anyway…like I said, I’m going to sit.”
I nod. “Yeah, I think I’ll join you in a few.”
She gives me a tight smile before returning to our table. Brent has moved on to another group of dancers, so I make my way to the desserts. Everything looks decadent and delicious, but I simply take a napkin, wrap up two macarons, and put them in my pocket.
When I find my way back to our table, Sophie is gathering her purse.
“Are you leaving?” I ask.
She frowns. “Yeah, I’m tired, and I need to be at the airport early tomorrow.”
I glance across the room. Maureen and Nick are nowhere in sight, so I clear my throat. “Can I walk you back?”
