Eight

 

 

e spent a lot of time together over the next week and a half; walking around chatting, kicking the ball around with Ben and Matt, him playing the guitar, sitting around chatting. Ben even challenged Matt and Cole to a Mario Kart tournament one particularly wet and miserable day. It was all going fine – Ben was holding up the team for the both of us; hey, I love Mario Kart, I’m just no good at it – until all three boys decided to team up against me.

I was sitting, listening to the loser music alone – go, go Blue Team! – without the energy to switch the screens. The boys had made a food run into the kitchen and I’d started singing along with the loser music when Cole came back in.

“You hear that a lot do you?” He smiled.

I couldn’t help but smile back. “Well, yes… But it’s awfully catchy. You could learn it, I’m sure all the hip night clubs with be clamouring to book you.”

He laughed, shaking his head.

“Where are the brothers?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Talking about some soccer stuff.”

“And, you couldn’t keep up?”

“What’s a Barcle-card?”

I laughed. “Barclaycard is the name of the premier English Soccer league.”

He nodded. “Okay then. File that away under things I won’t use again.”

He picked up one end of the coffee table and shifted it to the other side of the room, then pushed the other couch backwards, opening up a sizable space in the middle of the room.

“Why are you rearranging the furniture?” I asked, picking up a handful of chips from the end table to my left.

He walked over to me and held his hand out to me. “Can you dance?”

I scoffed. “Can I dance? You saw my wicked moves at the dance!”

“That’s not the sort of dancing I mean.” He bounced his hand at me.

I wiped my hands on my pants before taking it and letting him pull me up. He put my right hand on his shoulder, his left went to my waist gently, and our other hands clasped in the air. He nodded at me as though asking if I was ready.

“What?” I asked, looking between us. “You mean like actual ballroom dancing or something.”

“As much as I hate it, yes. Have you done it before?”

I shook my head. “No, what purpose would I have had… Well, actually we did like three weeks in sport, maybe two or three years ago…?”

He nodded. “Okay… Here’s how it goes. Follow my feet.”

I tried hard to follow his lead as he called directions, but all we did was bump into each other. Eventually, he sighed and called a stop. I’d always thought ballroom dancing would be romantic and easy, like it looked in the movies; you’d just find your partner and twirl around the room happily, then there’d be a fun dating montage and you’d get married.

“All right, music might help.” He turned around and seemed to talk to himself. “Where’s Matty?” He walked to the kitchen. “Matty, I need a hand. Ben have you got any music to waltz to?”

“I’ll look.” Ben popped out of the kitchen, with Matt close behind him, and headed for the stereo.

“How’s this?” he asked, holding up a record of Dad’s.

Cole nodded just as Matt replied, “perfect.”

I looked at them all, wondering how on earth three teenage boys were better at this sort of thing than I was. I know it’s sexist to think it, but if you’d been looking at the three of them, you wouldn’t have thought them capable either, believe me; Matt’s hair stuck out at all angles and he still wore a moonboot, Ben was all arms and legs, and Cole was rocking particularly heavy on the bad boy vibes.

Ben put the record on and soft music poured through the room. Cole was listening intently, nodding his head slowly as though counting something.

“Okay, right, I think we’ve got this,” Cole said. “Right, Matty, I need you to partner Aura while I see where she’s going wrong.”

“Yep.” Matt grinned and came to stand in front of me.

“Hang on, why am I learning to dance?”

“Apart from the fact that dancing is the language of romance and seduction? Cole has to dance at Grandma’s party.” Matt gave Cole a teasing smile.

I looked between them.

Cole shrugged and I felt he was downplaying it when he answered, “I owe the woman.”

I looked to Matt. “And, you?”

“She doesn’t expect it with my foot.”

“I won’t have to?” Ben squeaked.

Matt shook his head. “Nope, Grandma won’t make you.”

“Just me?” I asked.

Matt nodded. “Yep. Plus, she thinks you have good ankles, whatever that has to do with it.”

“I see…” I said, although I really didn’t see at all. Well, I could play soccer, how hard was dancing anyway?

“Right, we’ve got three days to get this down,” Cole said, indicating we get started.

Maybe we should have started earlier, then? I thought, but kept my mouth shut.

Matt took hold of me much like Cole had, although he only reached my shoulder. He nodded his head and set off. Again, I tried following his lead. I felt like I did slightly better this time. The music certainly helped me keep my timing once I realised that was a thing. We moved in counts of three.

A few songs later, and we were moving a bit more fluidly, though still slowly. Ben was told to partner me and did as he was told. Even my little brother could do this better than I could! Finally, Cole stopped the music.

“Not bad, but we’re not turning yet.”

“There’s turning?”

Cole grinned. “There’s not just turning, there’s turning while avoiding other people. You have to be able to follow my lead wherever I take you.”

I groaned. “Why did I ever agree to go out with you?”

“Trust me, Hannibal, I won’t lead you astray.”

We exchanged a serious look before I laughed, shrugging it off. “No, you’ll just lead me to parties where I have to dance like some princess in a movie.”

“Only one.”

“Promise?”

“For now.” He smiled and motioned to Ben to put the music back on while he walked over to me. He took me in his arms and searched my eyes. “We’re going to try turning now, okay?”

I wanted to shake my head and run away, but I nodded and gulped.

Ben turned the music back on and Cole led on. I tripped over his feet occasionally and we moved a little slower than the music called for, but we got through it without any major injuries except my pride as our brothers laughed at me.

“You’re doing fine.” Cole smiled.

“Are you sure? I don’t feel-”

“Well, hello.” Dad’s humoured voice cut across the music. I sprang away from Cole and turned. Both he and Mum were standing in the doorway, smiling. “Don’t stop on our account. What are you guys doing anyway?”

“Cole asked Aura to Grandma’s fancy birthday party, so she has to learn to dance now,” Matt replied.

“Ah, yes, Phyllis sent us an invitation as well.” Dad smiled, grabbing Mum’s hand and whooshing her around the room.

Cole and I jumped out of the way, and we watched them waltz their way perfectly around the room. I sighed and felt Cole put his arm around my waist.

“Everyone knows how to do this but me.”

“By Friday, you’ll be the best dancer out there,” he whispered in my ear.

“Liar.”

“Okay, you won’t hit anyone, best I can do.”

I laughed. “All right. Deal.”

 

¢

 

We’d practiced for the last two days, outside in the cold, in my living room, the hallway, down the street – that received some weird looks – with and without music. Come Friday, I could follow wherever Cole led… As long as he warned me before any major direction changes.

Around midday on Friday, Cole got a phone call from Phyllis. Apparently, all the Danielses were invited to their house for lunch and a surprise. Cole had groaned at whatever his grandmother had said, but nodded and said he’d ask.

None of us had been to Phyllis’ house before. I wasn’t sure if that had been a deliberate choice on Cole’s part, or if it just happened that way. Ben always seemed to invite Cole and Matt over before there’d been any chance for any other plans.

Cole unlocked the back door, and directed us in. I heard Mum and Dad whispering ahead of me, but Ben nudged them to be quiet. I wasn’t surprised though, the place was massive and impressive; even the back door had a foyer. Matt led us through to something that, in a house this big, was probably only the informal dining room. Phyllis waited for us, as well as a woman I recognised at Cole and Matt’s aunt.

“Daniels family, this is my daughter, Trudy. Trudy, this is Maxwell, Caitlin, Aurora, and Benjamin,” Phyllis said as she motioned for us to sit down.

“Lovely to finally meet you in person, Aurora. I’ve seen you coaching Matty’s team, you’re amazing.” Trudy smiled.

Both women wore sweater sets in different colours and pearls around their necks. I smiled, but Ben spoke before I could reply.

“That’s nothing, you should see her play!”

“Ben, shush,” I hissed.

“She really does play well, Trudy.” Cole smiled, sounding a lot more formal than usual.

“When have you ever seen me play?” I asked, confused.

He laughed. “The game on that sports afternoon or whatever it was, for one. That was not your day, but you were still amazing.”

“Oh, did you lose?” Phyllis asked.

I laughed, remembering that day well. “No, we drew in pouring rain and thigh high mud.”

“Plus, Aura got hit in the face…twice!” Matt said.

Phyllis looked almost horrified but I laughed. “It happens, not often but sometimes.”

“And, soccer, you want to pursue it after school?” Trudy asked as a…butler? brought the food in.

“Definitely!” Dad smiled proudly.

I nodded. “If I’m lucky, I’ll get to play a few years semi-pro.”

“And after that?”

“Teaching, or coaching, both if I can. It’ll depend on my marks and if I can get into the course.”

“Which, of course, she will,” Mum said. “She’s very smart.”

I shot her a definitive ‘shut up’ look, but saw Phyllis nodding.

“Yes, both Matt and Cole have told me Aurora seems very gifted. Which, from Cole especially is high praise. At least he pays attention to something at that school.” Her tone suggested she wasn’t pleased with him, but her face said she loved her grandsons immeasurably.

I meanwhile wondered why Cole had been talking about me so much with his grandmother. Maybe it had been a recent thing, just since he’d asked me to the party? Oh well, at least he was perhaps not quite such a degenerate as I first thought. He certainly hadn’t had any new bruises for the last few weeks.

We ate lunch, the adults mainly making conversation between us. I was drawn into a debate with Ben and Matt about a soccer-related issue, but I won’t bore you with the details; let’s suffice to say the two of them seemed to be very into their overseas leagues. I dragged myself out of the debate, laughing and found Cole smiling at me. It wasn’t the sort of smile that was meant for you to see. It was the sort of smile you give someone when they’re not looking and you realise you’re quite keen on them. I smiled back, which seemed to break the spell. He blinked and gave me one of his more usual, yet just as adorable, smirks.

Phyllis clapped, excitedly after the dishes were taken away. “Right, now for the surprise! I felt bad inviting you to the party without offering something for you to wear. Trudy is a designer, you know-”

“Wait?” Mum gasped. “Trudy Jones?”

Trudy smiled and nodded. “Yes. Mum’s wearing one of my dresses and we wanted to offer a dress to you girls and tuxedos to the boys. You don’t have to accept. But, it would mean a lot to us.”

Mum nodded, her mouth gaping like a fish. Dad nudged her. I tried to work out what all the excitement was. I thought maybe the name ‘Trudy Jones’ might have been familiar from something Cassidy said once. I shot her a quick text under the table to ask. I received a reply in record time from Cassidy and, by the response, I wasn’t surprised.

Cassidy: Trudy Jones is only the hottest new designer in town. I only have five dresses and Daddy said she’s too expensive to just buy me another one. Why do you want to know about her?

I replied to say thanks and I’d seen an ad for her and wondered. It seemed to placate Cassidy for now. I, on the other hand, was just realising what her offering us dresses meant and why Mum’s jaw needed to be scooped off the table.

“Are you sure it’s no trouble, Trudy?” Dad asked. I knew he had a dinner suit, but nothing quite as swanky as a tuxedo.

Trudy nodded animatedly. “It would be a pleasure. We have the tailor waiting to make any adjustments. Would you like to see?”

Mum nodded, still stupefied.

“Matty, you take Max and Ben. Cait, Aurora, come with me.” Trudy smiled.

“I’ll just wait, shall I?” Cole asked, crossing his arms.

“Do what you want, dear,” Phyllis responded. “Just stay out of the way of the women.”

“Yes, Grandma.”

“Why don’t you help Maxwell and Benjamin pick a tuxedo?”

“Yes, Grandma,” he replied again and I saw the two share a smile.

“Come, come.” Phyllis clapped her hands again and led us up the stairs to a massive dressing room. In the middle of the room were temporary racks filled with dresses. “Now, have at it, ladies.”

Mum and I shared a look, giggling, and set to work. Trudy and Phyllis helped us search through dresses until we found ones that suited us nicely. I had worried about the hair and makeup, shoes and bags conversation, but Phyllis and Trudy seemed to think simple was better. I tended to agree, and not just because it showed off the magnificent dress better.

Mum’s was a flowing peach number with beading and chiffon – she looked regal and amazing. Then again, Mum tended to look regal and amazing in her pyjamas.

My dress was an emerald green, supposed to bring out my eyes, with a sweetheart neckline, off-the-shoulder straps, and a semi-poufy princess skirt.

We’d both need a few alterations, so Trudy pinned us up and told us someone would bring the dresses around in a few hours.

We thanked Trudy profusely, but she seemed legitimately pleased to be of help.

By the time we were done, the boys were ready and we left.

“See you tonight!” Matt called as we walked back through the park.

“Bye!” Ben called back.

 

¢

 

“Aura, you ready? We need to go!” Ben called from downstairs.

“Two seconds!” I yelled, adjusting my eyeliner and hoping, by the time I evened it out, I didn’t look like I was heading to a rock concert.

I brushed on some pink lip-gloss, shoving it and my phone in the dress pocket – yes, the amazing creation had pockets! I took one last look in the mirror, decided I’d do, and slipped on my silver party shoes.

I’d dried my hair, trying to tame my annoying natural wave, pulled half back with a silver clip, and let the rest cascade down my back. At least, that had been the plan; the execution had been slightly more elusive, but I still thought I looked respectable.

“Aura!” Ben yelled again.

“Coming! Coming!” I grabbed the coat I still hadn’t returned to Cole, pulling it on as I rushed down the stairs. I’d offered to give it back to him on multiple occasions, but he said he liked it better on me so I’d kept it for now.

I barrelled into Ben at the bottom of the stairs, but caught us before we fell.

“For God’s sake, you two. Can we not have a proper night out for once?” Dad laughed.

“You boys are looking very dapper in your tuxedos.” I smiled.

“It will all be for naught if we don’t get a move on,” Mum replied, putting on an earring as she came out of the front room. She smiled when she saw me. “You look amazing, Aura.”

I smiled back. “Thanks, so do you.”

“Yes, but this isn’t my first big party. Remind me to get a picture of all of us when we get there.”

I’d always wondered why Mum and Dad stopped going to the fancy parties. I remembered a few instances where Mum and Dad had dressed up for a fancy party when I was smaller, but they hadn’t done it in years despite how much they’d seemed to enjoy it. Ah well, maybe it got tiresome? Just Ben’s excitement was tiresome.

We headed across the park; I seriously doubted whoever was on the door would open the back for guests to arrive, but Mum and Dad seemed to think it was okay.

There was an extra chill in the air now the sun had gone down and I wondered if it might hail before we came back this way. I huddled into Cole’s coat, protesting slightly as Dad hugged me and threatened to crush my not-so-wavy hair.

We arrived at the Fielding-Jones’ laughing, the door open waiting for us while a young lady dressed in black and white beckoned us inside.

“Let me take your coats. You’ll be the Daniels, I assume?”

“We are, thank you.”

She nodded pertly. “Lady Jones said to hold the door open for you.”

The Danielses exchanged a surprised glance; it appeared I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know Phyllis was a Lady… Well, you know what I mean. It was no wonder Cole was had been surprised when I called her Phyllis.

“This way, please, I’ll take you through to the party.”

She led us up the stairs and into a different part of the house than we’d been to earlier. I couldn’t help but marvel at the walls. If I’d thought downstairs was impressive, up here was just lavish, unnecessary flaunting of the money Phyllis must have. What the hell kind of Lady was she? It was all very tasteful though, I supposed, and I knew she was lovely so it didn’t seem quite so ridiculous.

Our guide directed us to a pair of double doors and opened them into a giant ballroom with a massive chandelier hanging from it. I certainly wouldn’t have wanted to be standing under that thing if it fell. The room was packed with bodies, all dressed as impeccably as we were.

As we walked up the stairs, a photographer took our photo. Then, a familiar face peeled away from the crowd and Phyllis hurried over to us.

“Oh, you’re here! Wonderful!” She greeted us with kisses to the cheek. Hers were already quite rosy and she looked stunning in a silver dress. “Come in, come in, get a drink. Oh!” she said as though she’d forgotten something and turned to our guide. “Sally, can you take Aurora and Ben up to Cole and Matt please?” She turned to me and took my hands, smiling at me a little hazily. “If you can’t get him to come down, no one can.”

She made shooing motions before taking my parents’ elbows and leading them inside.

“This way, then.” Sally smiled politely, if somewhat strained. She led us back towards more familiar parts of the house. “Master Cole is on the left and Master Matt on the right,” she said before curtseying and hurrying off.

Both doors were closed. My palms suddenly felt quite sweaty and I felt, if I moved, my legs would give out.

“Right, I’ll get Matt then,” I laughed shakily.

“Oh, no,” Ben laughed. “You came here for one reason only, and I’m not going to get in the way of that!”

“You know, most brothers don’t try to hook their older sisters up with dates.” I glared at him.

“Most older sisters don’t need the help.”

I went to swat him, but he ducked out of reach. “Fine,” I grumbled, picking up my skirt so I didn’t trip on it and walked to Cole’s door, which was further down the passage than Matt’s was.

There was nothing on the door to suggest who lived behind it, which surprised me. I expected to see band stickers or one of those cheesy ‘Cole’s Room’ plaques. I settled my skirt, noticing Ben was already gone; I could hear sounds of sport commentary coming from the open door down the hall. The faint sound of music floated through Cole’s door. I took a deep breath and knocked. The music stopped.

“Oh, God, what?” I heard Cole say, exasperation evident. “I’ll be down later, okay?”

“I’m not waiting.” I replied haughtily.

I heard him laugh. “Hannibal! Oh, wow…” he said as he opened the door and saw me.

I wasn’t quite sure I was worth the look on his face, but it did make me feel pretty good. Him, on the other hand… He deserved every inch of the jaw droppage that occurred. I thought he’d looked good at the dance. That tuxedo, I realised, was nothing compared to this. Or, maybe it was because his jacket was off and I could see the outline of him through his shirt, the muscles in his forearms with the sleeves rolled up. The collar was open and his bowtie undone as though he hadn’t quite finished getting dressed.

And, his pants… Phew. I’d thought Hugh Jackman looked good in jeans… He had nothing on the way Cole wore dress pants – as weird as that sounds… They rode low on his hips, the belt just accentuating his shape. No…not that shape! Oh, God…

I cleared my throat and looked behind him, finding a room that seemed to fit him much better than the rest of this house. There was a double bed with dark grey covers entirely dishevelled. His guitar lay on the bed as though he’d thrown it down. There was a simple desk with computer. And multiple posters adorning what wall didn’t seem to be taken up by dark red curtains.

I didn’t dare look at him again, not sure I’d ever be able to look away.

Dear God, get a grip, I willed myself.

“Want to come in for a bit?” he asked, stepping aside.

“I… Uh… Sure, but no sitting… I don’t want to rumple the dress.”

Score one for quick thinking. I smiled to myself.

“Sure, of course.” He chuckled.

I stepped into the room. “It’s nice,” I said, looking around again. There were doors at either end of the room, though I had no idea where they led.

He pulled open the curtains. “Not as nice as this.”

I walked over to find a huge balcony, longer than the width of the room. He opened the door and we stepped out. I ignored the chill as I peered over into the street. There was a police car across the road, which I thought was weird; maybe Phyllis’ parties had a tendency to get wild? I laughed at the thought. Though, by the way she was going earlier, it didn’t seem entirely unlikely.

My breath condensed in front of my face and I could hear music from the party waft up from below us.

I shivered and felt Cole’s arms go around my waist. He kissed my neck and the next shiver had nothing to do with the cold. I put my hands over his, but he grabbed one hand, pulling me around into a waltz position and whirled me around.

Taken off-guard and with the memory of his kiss on my neck, I followed him aimlessly, smiling.

“You’re good when you stop thinking,” he laughed, drawing me close.

“What?” I stumbled, but he caught me.

He laughed again. “When you stop thinking about the moves, you dance well. Perhaps I need to find a way to distract you.”

His hand left my waist, curling around me, drawing me hard up against him. I could feel the heat of his hand splayed at my lower back even through the layers of the dress. Vaguely I registered that my feet were moving of their own accord, and moving well. The hand holding mine trailed down that arm, then up to brush my hair from my shoulder and cup my cheek. I leant into his hand, feeling myself smiling foolishly and I looked into his warm brown eyes.

He leant forward to kiss me, but froze when we heard Ben yelling.

“Guys, come on. Matt says there’s party pies.”

“Sure thing, Ben,” Cole called, then said quieter, “he’s going to be disappointed when he finds out they’re not the normal kind of party pies…”

“I can see you, you know,” Ben called impatiently.

Cole smiled at him over my shoulder, pressed a kiss to my lips quickly. He tied his bowtie swiftly and unexpectedly adeptly, smoothed his sleeves, and pulled on his jacket before taking my hand and following our little brothers back downstairs.

There seemed to be a bustle of people when we got downstairs and they all seemed to say hello to Cole. I looked at him, surprised so many of them knew him when he said he didn’t go to these things often. The answer came, though, from a rather drunk older lady speaking too loudly as we walked away.

“Looks so much their mother, doesn’t he? God rest her soul.”

“Awful thing that happened to her,” the old lady’s companion said.

“Such a pity.”

I didn’t hear anymore as Cole pulled me through the crowd faster. I looked to him, but his face was set and I could tell he didn’t want to talk about it. I was intrigued though. Was whatever happened to his mum the reason he had a wild side? Was she the reason he didn’t think much of himself?

Couples were twirling around the ballroom when we finally got back into the room. A server passed with glasses on it. Cole took two and passed me one. I found what looked like a glass of champagne in my hands, Cole had something that looked like whiskey. He pulled me around the couples to a quieter corner and we found ourselves on a balcony much like the one outside his room.

“Sorry about that.” He smiled, as though he had something to apologise for when people were talking about his mum…

I gave him a confused look and sipped gingerly at my champagne, wrinkling my nose as the bubbles tickled it; I hadn’t drunk a lot in my life, but the way Cole finished off his drink, I remembered starkly that he had.

“I don’t know what you’d have to apologise for,” I said.

He shook his head, putting the empty glass on another server’s tray and taking a new one. This one, he sipped slower.

“My family isn’t what it seems.” He waved around him. “All this? Matt and I weren’t allowed near this until two years ago – although Grandma tried. And, then, we got the advanced society education.” He laughed somewhat bitterly. “The dancing? Six months of constant lessons with Grandma and Aunt Trude.”

I didn’t want to say anything. I wanted to know more, but, if I pushed him, would he pull away? Instead, I took a larger sip of my drink. I liked the way it tickled my nose, but it was weird. I felt like I was going to sneeze.

“Damn, you’re cute when you do that,” he said, drawing me close. He nudged my nose with his own and kissed me.

“Ah, Cole, good,” I heard Phyllis say.

I wondered what she’d think of her grandson drinking and potentially fornicating on the balcony at her party. But, when I turned, she was smiling at him warmly. His family might not be what they seemed, but this woman loved him.

“Finish your drinks dears and have a dance. I need you seen Cole.” She sighed and took his arm. “Please, dear. It would mean a lot. Just two dances.”

“Two dances?” Cole clarified and she nodded. “All right, Grandma. But, only for you.”

She laughed. “And, what about your date?”

“Oh, I know how much he likes to dance, Phyllis.” I smiled. “I’ll see if I can make it three.”

Phyllis chuckled and clapped Cole on the shoulder. “I like her, dear. Keep her!” she walked away, still chuckling.

“I planned to.” He looked at me, smiling. “All right, shall we?” He threw back his drink and held his hand out for mine.

I looked at my still half-full glass of bubbles. I wrinkled my nose against the tickles I knew were coming, ignoring his exhaled breath, and tipped the contents down my throat.

“All right then. That should be enough to stop me thinking too much,” I said.

He laughed and stepped closer. He wrapped his hands behind my back and trailed kisses down my neck, finishing in the hollow of my collarbone. I breathed out slowly.

“Yeah, that oughta do it,” I said, feeling just a little hazy.

He chuckled and took my hand, kissing the back of it. He led me out onto the dance floor, amidst whispers of people we passed. I felt his hand close tighter on mine and returned the grip, not knowing how else to help.

He spun me to face him, looking at me for all the world like he wished I were the only one in the room. What he didn’t know was that I was more than happy to be, I just couldn’t do anything about it. I gave him my best reassuring smile and let him lead.

I spent so much time worrying about the gritted look on his face; I didn’t even notice I was actually dancing nicely for the rest of that song. The next one started and I could tell Cole wanted to run off the dance floor. I rubbed his shoulder gently, trying to tell him with my eyes that I’d be right behind him if that’s what he wanted. His smile became less forced and he even seemed to be enjoying himself somewhat.

A few more turns around the floor, and ballroom dancing became exactly what I had always envisioned it to be; so very Disney. Cole smiled at me like I was legitimately the only person in the room, not just that he wished I were. We spun almost effortlessly, avoiding the other couples with ease. I felt my chest flutter and there was that foolish smile on my face again.

I didn’t keep track of the number of songs, but it was more than two at least.

“Okay, that’s plenty. Drink time,” I said, though I was fairly sure the sudden dryness in my throat had little to do with the dancing and more to do with the look my partner was giving me.

He swung me out of the cyclone of dancers and we came face to face with a photographer. I’m not sure what face we were pulling, but I felt mine might have actually looked nice for once. I giggled as Cole grabbed a couple of bottles of champagne off a table and told me to pick up the glasses as he pulled me through the house. We skirted past a very surprised Sally as he picked up a thick blanket from the coat rack by the back door and pulled me out of the house.

We walked, chatting and laughing about God knew what, and soon found ourselves at the big willow tree. I smiled and pulled him under. It was slightly warmer in here than out, and it was at least dry.

He pulled me close and kissed me hard, his hands at my waist and mine around his neck. It was one of those kisses that set off the butterflies and makes you not want to stop until your lips were numb. Which is pretty much what happened. I finally pulled away from him a little breathless.

“How about a drink?” he asked.

We sat against the trunk and Cole popped one of the bottles. I held out the glasses for him to pour. When we were settled, he put the blanket around us and his arm around me, and we sipped champagne while talking about nothing and everything.