Page 91 of Snowed In
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone more beautiful than her tonight. I don’t know if it was the clothes or the hair of whatever shimmery makeup she’s dusted along her chest that makes her body glimmer every time she catches the light, but every time I look at her, I have to keep reminding myself that thisisn’t real.
I could barely breathe when I saw her back at the house. Could barely think.
I still can’t.
I look over my shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of her through the crowd. It’s the last thing she needs right now, for me to betray her trust in this. In us. Our rules were agreed. Signed. Toasted to. And from the beginning, she made it clear that this was an important night. One I’m at risk of ruining because I can’t keep my hands off her.
As if feeling the tension radiating from me, the man in front of me glances back and returns the polite smile I quickly adopt before turning back around.
I can’t help but feel amused at it all. I mean,this? This is what she was worried about? A bunch of old snobs starved for gossip? She handled them like a pro. I could have spent all night watching her do it, but I guess then I would have missed having her all to myself. That was even better. The champagne, the dancing, the food.
Food. I should get her more food.
I glance around for a server, only to catch the eye of Megan’s mother instead, standing near the band. She beams at me as soon as I see her, offering a wave as I smile back. I don’t know what I expected from Emily, but she’s been nothing but warm to me. And is scarily good at getting money from people. I may or may not have bid a chunk of my savings on a boat.
And for the first time, I feel that twinge of guilt Megan’s always talking about. That her happiness for us will be short-lived, but before I can feel too bad about it, my phone vibrates in my pocket, and I sidestep out of the line to check it.
Andrew.
“I’m at Megan’s fundraiser,” I say when I answer the call. “So unless this is an emergency—”
“I feel like I should have a speech.”
“What?”
“When I propose,” Andrew says. “I should have a speech.”
God help me. I tilt my head to the ceiling, watching the chandeliers glint. “You don’t need a speech. You just ask her to marry you.”
“But I should say something first.”
“No, you just ask. Don’t put more pressure on yourself.”
“Right. You’re right. Okay.” A pause. “You know when I said I didn’t want rose petals?”
“I ordered them, anyway.”
I can practically feel his relief down the line. “You’re the best brother ever. Do you know that? Way better than Liam.”
“I’ll be sure to tell him.”
“You having a good time?”
“I was,” I say pointedly, and he laughs.
“Message received. I’ll tell Mam not to wait up.” And with that, he hangs up the phone.
I’m never going to let him live this down once he’s done. I’ve never seen him so nervous before. It’s getting to the point where I feel like telling him to just pop the question. That Molly wouldn’t care how he did it. That she’d probably be happiest with just the two of them. But he wants to make it special. And if that’s what he wants, then I’m going to help him.
I finally reach the bar, where I order a glass of champagne for Megan, and cast about for a waiter to grab us some food. I’ve just pinpointed a man carrying a tray of pastries when someone clears their throat nearby.
Aidan stands behind me, clutching an empty pint glass. He’s dressed in a similar tuxedo to mine, and while he looks the part, there’s a stiffness in his body that no amount of tailoring can mask. He looks uncomfortable, like a kid at the grown-up table, and not for the first time do I wonder how he feels coming back here. Leaving his real life behind to play the younger-brother card. It can’t be easy for him. But it’s not easy for any of us, so I find my patience wearing thin when he keeps acting like I’m the bad guy here and not everyone who’s treated his sister like shit.
Protective brother. I get it. I feel the same way toward Hannah. I feel the same way toward all my siblings. But it’s not as fun being on the other end of it.
“Is this where you tell me to stay away from Megan?” I ask, cutting straight to it.
“Feels dramatic.”
