Page 34 of Strawberry Kisses

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. Go ahead!” When I glanced across the room, Connor was leaning in close to the mirror, putting on what I assumed was eyeliner. His tongue poked out as he concentrated. It was charming, and I wanted to sit and watch him for some reason, but I also needed to tear my eyes away and get dressed.

I pulled off my faded blue T-shirt and reached for the crisp, white shirt on its hanger. It had survived the journey without getting creased, and I buttoned it up, straightening the collar in the wardrobe mirror but leaving the top couple of buttons undone. I wasn’t wearing a tie so there was no point choking to death. Then I pulled off my old jeans and swapped them for the newer ones, grimacing at the stiffness of the material. I breathed in as I zipped them up. I really needed to remember to wear these more often or they were always going to be so tight they’d crush my balls.

I flung the jacket over the end of the bed and attempted to retrieve the Kindle without feeling like my legs were separate from my whole body. Maybe I should just wear the old ones and hope no one noticed they were a little battered.

“Okay, I just need to get changed and I’ll be ready,” Connor said from behind me. “Oh my fucking God, babe. You look amazing in those jeans.”

“Really? They’re a little… stiff.”

Connor snorted as I turned to look at him. “Nah, they look great. And I love the shirt.”

“Er, thanks,” I muttered, momentarily distracted by his beauty. His make-up was flawless as usual with perfectly highlighted cheekbones that shimmered in the sunlight. He’d clearly decided not to go for the sunset colours, but instead his eyeshadow was a perfectly blended array of pinks from a soft pastel to almost neon, a touch of glitter catching my eye and the perfect dark line making his beautiful eyes pop. His lips were dual shaded with a softer pink towards the middle that faded into something darker at the edges of his mouth. It made his lips look plump and full and oh-so-fucking kissable. I wanted to take his mouth with mine and kiss him until his lipstick was smeared and stained across me.

“Wow. You… you look incredible.”

Connor smiled softly, and if I didn’t know better, I’d have said he looked embarrassed. “Thank you. I try.”

He sauntered over to the wardrobe, retrieved his suit bag, and quickly threw off his clothes. I finally turned to retrieve the Kindle and switch it off so I wouldn’t stare at the perfect expanses of Connor’s skin and his slim, toned body. I was bordering on creepy, and I really needed to stop.

Five minutes later, we were both ready, and by the time we got downstairs, most people had already headed across the yard to the barn. I double-checked the cake in passing. It would need a few bits doing to it just before we served it, but I’d sneak out of the party and do those later. It would at least give me fifteen minutes away from everyone. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my family, but they did get a little overwhelming at times, and I wasn’t really used to being sociable with anyone who wasn’t from work or Connor.

That probably said something very sad about my life, but honestly, it didn’t bother me.

I took Connor’s hand and led him out the back door. The dogs were pottering about in the yard, and I already heard the hum of chatter and music. There was a black van parked outside the barn with a tent in front of it, delicious smells emanating from inside. A couple of catering staff members milled around with drinks on trays. People spilled out of the barn and into the nearby field, which we’d turned into an outdoor seating area. We’d also equipped it with some giant lawn games, and there was plenty of space for the kids to run around without disturbing the horses, who were all in fields away from the party.

I accepted a glass of Pimm’s from one of the nearby waiters as we passed, even though it wasn’t usually my sort of thing. But right now, I somehow felt the need for liquid courage. Mostly because of the barrage of questions I was going to be subjected to. There was a hideous churning in the pit of my stomach, and I was suddenly regretting dragging Connor into this mess. Not because I thought my family would be rude to him, but because they were now going to want to know everything about us and our “relationship”. The last thing I needed was to fend off seventeen questions from Aunt Mary, not to be confused with my sister, about when we were going to get married.

Thank God Connor wasn’t my real boyfriend because he’d probably run screaming after this. Although that would give me a reason for us to break up, even if my family might feel guilty for making him feel so overwhelmed that he dumped me. They might even message him to apologise and beg him to take me back. I wouldn’t put it past them.

On second thought, we’d need another reason.

“Where do you want to start?” I asked, taking a sip of my drink and trying not to clutch at Connor’s hand. They were my family for heaven’s sake.

“Um, I don’t mind. I think Mary’s over there.” He pointed with his glass before taking a very elegant sip through the straw he’d procured from the waiter. “Shall we go say hi?”

“Sounds good,” I said, pretending it wasn’t a giant lie. Mary spotted us and waved so there was no avoiding her now.

“Don’t you clean up nicely?” Mary said as we reached her. “I haven’t seen you this dressed up since Orla got married.”

“I could say the same.” I gestured at the floral dress she was wearing and smiled. I was more used to seeing my sister in jeans and old band T-shirts.

“Ah, that’s ’cos you don’t come out with me in Plymouth. I can dress fancy then.”

“Patrick said your best friend is a drag queen,” Connor added. “Who are they?”

“That would be Pink Champagne. She does burlesque and drag. I met her a couple of years ago. She’s a hoot. You’d love her. If you’re ever down this way again, I’ll take you to see her.”

“Done. I’m gonna follow her on Insta too,” Connor said, pulling his phone out of the pocket of the slim fitting grey trousers he was wearing. “Ooh, you should follow my friend Lola. I think you’d love her.”

I let the two of them chat because there wasn’t much I could really add to the conversation. I started to realise that maybe I didn’t know my sisters, or at least Mary, as well as I thought. Maybe if I’d known more about her personal life, I would have come out to her years ago. She clearly wouldn’t have been bothered. Maybe it would be nice for us to get closer after this.

“Hey, Patrick.” Mary tapped me on the shoulder and beckoned me slightly away from the others.

“Everything okay?” I asked as I followed her for a few steps.

“Yeah, of course.” She smiled at me. “I just wanted to say… I’m so happy you finally felt you could be open with us. I know I’ve teased you in the past because you’re my little brother, and that’s my job, but honestly, I want you to know that I’m so fucking proud of you. We all are. You’re amazing, Patrick, and I love you so much.” She pulled me into a tight hug and pressed a kiss to the side of my head while something inside me exploded like a million fireworks suddenly being set off all at once.

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