a seat at the end of the table.
Stellan shoots me a look, like I’ve already done something wrong. Then I look up and realize that Pippa hasn’t sat down yet. I don’t like my brother reminding me of social customs, but he’s right. I stand, pulling Pippa’s chair out and deftly moving it right beside my own.
Pippa smirks at my gesture. “Thanks,” she says, taking her seat. Turning to Annika, she smiles. “I love this dress. Actually, I love Margot’s dress too. A part of me is definitely envious.”
Ja, I could definitely use a drink. One of the reasons that we chose this party, of all the parties going on tonight, was that it promised the liquor would be flowing. The other was that I felt that there would be plenty of ladies around, looking for their next one night stand.
I guess that isn’t in the cards tonight, though.
Looking around, I spy a waiter and signal him to come over. I don’t even have to ask Pippa what she wants to drink.
“A French 75 and a whiskey neat. If I don’t ever see the bottom of either glass, there will be something extra for you, okay?” I tell the waiter.
He rushes off like his life is at stake. I smirk and watch as Pippa catches up with Margot and Nika.
I cast a gaze over to Erik, who is giving me a funny look. “What?” I ask.
He slides a look to Stellan. “You just cost me a hundred pounds. I bet Stellan that you would never settle down. Especially after telling me just a few days ago that Pippa is basically your sister—“
I glare at him. “Shut up.”
He shrugs, looking elegant in his tuxedo. “I’m just wondering why you completely flipped your story, that’s all.”
I casually put my arm around Pippa’s shoulders, arching a brow. She blushes, pulled away from the conversation. “What now?”
I lean over to kiss her full on the mouth, adding a little tongue in for good measure. She freezes up, resisting at first. Then she seems to remember that she agreed to this, relaxing in my grip.
Her mouth is hot and her lips plump. Her eyes close a little. Then she opens her mouth for me the barest inch…
My eyes close involuntarily as I gently slip my tongue into her mouth. Damn, she tastes good. I’ve imagined this moment a thousand times over, my very first time French kissing Pippa.
But it’s so much better and deeper and more complex than I’d imagined. She makes a soft sound, curling her fist against my lapel, pulling me closer.
God, I can smell her delicate floral perfume, taste her minty mouthwash overlaid with a splash of sweet champagne fizz.
“All right, all right!” Erik shouts. “We get it, you guys are in love…”
Pippa pulls back, her eyes a little wide. It looks like I’m not the only one who got a tiny bit carried away. Pulling from my grasp, Pippa flushes and turns to the rest of the table.
“Sorry,” she apologizes. “You know how it is, I would guess.”
Annika leans in and covers Pippa’s hand, giving her a secretive smile. “I promise, we all do. Congrats on finally deciding to sleep together.”
I grin. “Actually, I don’t know if you saw Pippa’s hand, but we are engaged.”
“I know!” Margot says. “Let me see the ring!”
Pippa lifts her hand to Margot, her cheeks burning bright red.
I smirk as my gaze slides to Stellan. His eyes narrow on my face, suspicious as ever. Of course, he has every right to be suspicious; there is no relationship between myself and Pippa except friendship.
Really good friendship.
The kind of friendship that is a once in a lifetime find. Not worth risking, not for any price.
I drop my gaze, reminding myself of that very important fact. The waiter delivers me a fresh whiskey and I pound it, not even pretending like I’m too classy. Getting drunk is more important.
Several drinks later, Pippa is red-cheeked and grinning around the table. That’s Pippa’s drunk face, which is sort of the opposite of mine. I generally get more scowl-y the more I drink.
Annika stands up, drunker than I have ever seen her, and pulls Erik out to the dance floor. Margot and Stellan are right on their heels, Margot grinning and laughing even though she’s dead sober.
Pippa glances at me, biting her lip. “I know you don’t dance, but I think you should make an exception. Come on.”
She stands up, pulling me along with her as she heads out to the dance