Page 80 of Wife After Wife
Nate was with Ana, and Harry went to greet them. Ana was wearing gold eye makeup, and more gold glittered on her cheeks.
He kissed her below the sparkle.
“Hello, art people. That’s quite a dress, Ana. Does it turn to rags at midnight?”
“I might have gone home by then. Depends if I find my prince.”
“Princes are vastly overrated. Company bosses are far better value.”
“‘Someday my boss shall come.’ Doesn’t have quite the same ring.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Harry grinned.
Ana blushed as she realized the double entendre.
“Also less liable to turn into frogs when kissed,” added Nate.
“I don’t know about that either,” said Harry. “But I’m willing to put it to the test. Ana?”
He kissed her again, this time on the lips. He’d intended a quick peck but found he couldn’t pull away.
“Harry, have you not heard of sexual harassment?” said Terri, after many seconds had passed.
Ana ended it.
“Sorry,” said Harry. “Got carried away. But then... Christmas.”
“Can I have one?” said Terri.
“Fuck no, you might turn me to stone,” said Harry.
“What makes you think I was talking to you?” said Terri, winking at Ana.
“Come on, Terri,” said Nate. “Let’s go and play.”
Harry slipped an arm around Ana’s waist. The gold material was thin and slithery, and he could feel the warmth of her skin beneath. “Let’s go find the bar. I’ve had enough of the meet and greet.”
He kept his arm there as they went through to where the dance floor was already pumping. Harry ordered champagne for himself, Ana, Terri, and Nate, then raised his glass toward them. “Merry Christmas, all. You’re top girls and boys, and I love you dearly. A toast to 1994. I have a feeling it’s going to be spectacular.”
His arm was still around Ana’s waist. Terri stared pointedly at it, then at his face, then cocked her head to one side. “Blatant favoritism, if you ask me. Just because she looks like Aphro-fookin’-dite.”
“Doesn’t she just,” said Harry, and lifted Ana’s hand to his lips. Her nails were gold too. “Ding dong. It’s the belle of the ball.”
“Harry...” said Ana, the question in her eyes.
“Nate, Terri, I’m happy for you two to be the first to know. Ana and I are a thing. An item. Whatever you want to call it. Feel free to light the gossip wildfire.”
“You what?” said Nate. “Ana?”
“As you know, Percy and I split up,” she said, as if she were delivering a company report. “Harry and his wife have separated too. So—”
“So no more eyes meeting across a crowded room but being too cautious to do anything about it,” interrupted Harry. “But as far as work goes, it’s business as usual. Nothing will change.”
Terri snorted, and Harry sensed a hostility in her reaction far beyond what he’d anticipated. What was that all about?
“Terri. You didn’t like it when I more or less ordered you to employ Ana, but I was right, wasn’t I?”
“Can’t deny it.”
