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“Just a bit warm in this tux,” he replies hoarsely, still suffering from the effects of the fizz while running a finger inside the collar of his shirt.
“Jase, don’t worry about the silent auction. It will be fine,” I reassure him, suspecting that’s the cause of his discomfort. I remember Logan looking like he was about to lose his dinner when he walked up on stage last year.
“It’s fine … Really. I’m not bothered by the auction,” Jason reassures me with such confidence that I have to believe him. Besides, we’ve been friends long enough that I’ve seen nervous, sad, happy, frustrated, and even the occasional angry versions of him. And tonight, he doesn’t look like he’s any of those things.
He captures my hand again in his larger one. “Come on, let’s go find the others,” he continues, looking away from my scrutiny.
Okay, so if he’s not bothered by the auction, what is wrong with him? Jason is always cool and calm, never sweaty and flustered like he looks now. I let him lead me through the groups of people, and when I realize he’s taking me toward his family, I pull back, bringing him to a stop. “Jase, I don’t want to interrupt your family while they are still welcoming guests.”
“What? Don’t be ridiculous, Dana. You’re like part of the family.”
“I’m part of the family business, not the family.”
“You feel like family.” And with a squeeze of my hand, he turns and continues walking as I stumble after him. I thought I was friend-zoned, not family-zoned. I guess I’m going to have to work harder to make him see me differently.
I tug again on his hand. “Hey, can you slow down a little? These heels were not made for running.”
He stops abruptly, and I crash into him. “Oomph!”
He spins around, his hands instantly darting to my hips, his touch sizzling through the fabric like it isn’t there.
“Sorry. Are you okay?” He frowns down at me, stepping closer.
“Ouch. You just stepped on my toe. I’m more used to you doing that on the dance floor, not just walking.”
He drops to his knee before me. “Show me.”
Quickly, I bend over and, close to his ear, frantically whisper, “Please get up. People are staring. You look like you’re proposing.”
“Fuck!” He jumps to his feet so quickly it’s comical, and I can’t hold back the laughter that bursts from my lips. I pull out a chair from a nearby table and plop into it, still laughing. Then, reaching under my skirt, I adjust the strap of my shoe.
“All good,” I announce and look up at Jason, who is staring down at my legs, his hands dug deep into his pockets. The splits in my skirt are gaping and showing every inch of bare skin up to the top of my thigh under the sheer overskirt. He looks away quickly, knowing too well that I’ve caught him peeking. Maybe he doesn’t see me as another family member after all.
“Doesn’t the room look great?” he asks, and I almost laugh aloud before playing along and pretending to take an avid interest in my surroundings.
The ballroom is a festive riot of purple and gold. Giant white Christmas trees with huge purple and gold baubles and hundreds of string lights flank the doorway. Another dozen or more beautifully decorated trees are placed around the perimeter of the vast room. Among them are tall wooden nutcrackers with gold crowns and glittery purple uniforms like they’ve stepped off the stage of a ballet performance of the Nutcracker Suite.
Having fixed my shoe, I stand up. “The committee really has outdone themselves.”
He tucks the chair back into the table, mumbling something under his breath. This time, I lead the way—though a bit slower—and he follows silently behind.
I reach Allie first, and her green eyes pop wide when she sees me. We share an affectionate hug before she takes my hand in hers, then leans back for a better look at my dress. “Wow, girl. You look like a gorgeous mermaid.”
A blush races to my cheeks with the compliment. “You taught me well, oh wise one,” I acknowledge, grinning. All the while trying not to look at Jason, who is standing beside her. I can feel his gaze trailing over my body almost as if it were the tips of his fingers. Goose bumps pebble my skin and my cheeks turn rosy again. A disadvantage to having a fair complexion is that it’s impossible to hide a blush.
“Let’s go find Katie,” Allie says before hooking her arm through mine and pulling me in the direction of the bathroom. When we’ve moved far enough away from Jase and Logan, she diverts me toward one of the temporary bars set up in one corner of the room. It’s partially hidden by a small grove of Christmas trees, and we grab a couple glasses of champagne.
The bubbles are still popping on my tongue when Allie turns to me. “If you were hoping to get Jason’s attention tonight in that dress, then I’d say you nailed it. He’s looking at you like you’re his favorite meal.” She takes another sip of her drink before continuing, “What exactly are you up to, girl? I see that glint in your eye.”
Avoiding her too-perceptive gaze, I look down into the already empty glass in my hand and replace it with another full one. That’s my third, and if I don’t want to end up messy tonight, maybe this should be my last one for a while. I’m feeling a little lightheaded, and that could be dangerous in this dress.
“This is my therapy dress,” I tell her.
She laughs. “If this is a therapy dress then I’ve got to get me some therapy. And I suspect Jason will be signing up for some too.”
Allie is my greatest cheerleader when it comes to Jason, and I appreciate every word of encouragement that comes from knowing he wants me. It’s impossible to hide my grin.
“Maybe,” I admit, my voice hitching up with a hopeful note but not wanting to offer up any more when I’ve no idea how tonight will end.
