Page 17 of The Matchmaker's Melody
“No, he’s not here either,” she clucked. “Did you see him come this way? Randall was in the main hall, perhaps…”
But she got no further. Instead of offering another suggestion, or heading back into the hall, Phil stepped between Emma and the door, grabbed both her arms, and without a word, or a by-your-leave, kissed her.
For a moment, Emma just stood there, too shocked to move, unable even to comprehend what was happening. Just a moment, a split second. And then sense flooded back and she wrestled herself from his grip and slapped him.
“What the hell?” she hissed. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m kissing you. It’s what you wanted all the time.”
“What? No! Never. Go away now.”
The hand snaked back to grab her, and she batted it away again. “You’re playing hard to get, but I’ve seen what you’ve been doing these last couple of months. I know you want me. Screw the gift exchange. I’ve got something even better for you. Let’s go back to my place and—”
She fumbled at the wall and found the light switch. “You’re out of your freaking mind. No. Besides, this is me, Emma. You’re sweet on Halli. That’s what it’s all been about. Did you have too much to drink? No—don’t touch me. Don’t even think about it.” He was still in front of the door. Should she scream? Memories of long-past karate classes rushed into her mind, and she shifted her balance onto her back leg in case she needed to kick.
He must have realised she was serious. The passion in his eyes drained, and his face turned cold.
“Halli? You think I’m interested in Halli?” he sneered. “What the fuck makes you think I’m interested in her?”
A million thoughts swirled through Emma’s brain, not a single one of them settling anywhere long enough for her to make sense of it.
“All those outings, all the time you came over to join us when we were chatting, wanting to join us in the carpool last night…”
The light dawned. Oh. My. God.
“Me?” She heard herself ask as if from a huge distance away. “You were coming on tome? I thought it was Halli…”
“Screw Halli,” he snorted. “As if I’d be interested in a nobody like her. She’s pretty enough, I suppose. I’ll give you that. Maybe worth a quick fuck, but nothing more. But she’s a nobody. The only reason I even care enough to know her name is because she’s your friend. You mean…?”
He lost concentration for just long enough for Emma to reach past him and push open the door.
He didn’t stop her as she shoved past him and back into the hall. Then, as quickly as she could without tripping on her heels, she rushed back to the main reception room where the party was still going on.
“Oh, thank goodness. There you are.” Taylor grabbed her the moment she entered. “Are you okay, sweetie? You look— Oh, no time. Everyone is gathered. Fabulous. There’s Phil. He’s the last one.” He rushed over and dragged Phil towards the circle of choir members, all with anticipation animating their faces. How she appeared, Emma couldn’t say, but Phil’s face was an iron mask of fury.
“Merry Christmas, lovely people,” Taylor began. “Does everyone have their cards and their matches? Let me go through the details once more, and then we can begin.”
And all Emma could do was slump against the wall, mouth open and gaping like a fish, dreading whatever it was that was certain to happen, while across the circle, Gordon peered at her with an unreadable expression on his face.
CHAPTER10
THE GIFT EXCHANGE
What had happened?Gordon had never seen Emma this discombobulated. Where was the poise, the self-assurance, that was her trademark? Instead of the cool command she always exuded, she looked downright frazzled, like she had just been attacked or something equally incomprehensible. Never, not even as a little kid, had he seen her so disconcerted. Her face, usually perfectly made up, her complexion smooth and perfect, was red and blotchy, and she was panting, almost gasping for breath.
Something had happened. Something serious.
Taylor had moved to the middle of the circle of participants and was talking at some length, explaining once more the rules of their little game, and Gordon took the opportunity to manoeuvre around the perimeter of the group to move to Emma’s side.
She clearly knew what he was going to say, because she shook her head violently, No, her eyes still wide.
Fine. She needed time to collect herself. He’d be there when she was ready. He’d always be there, waiting until she was ready. He gulped down an emotion he couldn’t name.
In the centre of the circle of chairs, Taylor had finished his speech and the actual exchange began. He had a list of the participants, in some order Gordon couldn’t determine, and he read off the first name.
Kal, a tenor, stood with a smile and presented his cards. “My match is the candy cane,” he announced. A few seats away, Carlos, another tenor, gave a pump with one arm and stood to receive his present. Kal handed him a small bag, which he opened, showing off a set of three music-themed fridge magnets.
“Those are so cool!” he beamed. “Thank you.” Kal returned his smile, and both sat as Taylor moved on to the next name.
