Page 30 of A Chef's Kiss for Christmas

“True. Maybe we can take the same approach, and I’ll introduce you as my friend. It will save complicated conversations down the line.”

“One minor problem,” Warren said, casting her an amused glance. “You already told Frannie I’m your boyfriend, and you proved that by kissing me in the middle of a crowded room.”

Anna dropped her chin to her chest. “I’m an idiot.”

He laughed, and the sound brought an instant smile to her face.

“It’s a free bar, right?” He nudged her leg again. “We can get drunk and have a laugh.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drunk,” she said, eyes lingering on his profile while he concentrated on the road. She’d been around him at lots of parties, but she’d never seen him anything other than slightly tipsy.

“I don’t really drink much,” he said.

Her smile stretched wider. “Me neither. So I don’t suppose your plan is going to work out. Especially since you have to drive home tonight.”

“True. But we can enjoy the free food and one or two free drinks and pretend we’re party animals.”

Part of her wished she were the sort of person to get drunk and party the night away. It might be nice not to be hyperaware of every single moment.

“It’ll be fine,” he mused.

“Trying to convince me or yourself?”

He pouted dramatically. “What if your friends don’t like me?”

“I can’t imagine they will,” she said, unable to resist teasing him.

“What?” He slapped a hand against his chest. “With my wit and charm, how could they not?”

She felt all the tension leave her.

“You don’t need to laugh quite so hard,” he said, grinning. “I can actually be quite charming when I want to be.”

“I imagine you probably can,” she said. “Can’t imagine you being witty, though.”

He mock-scowled. “Now you’re being mean!”

Shaking her head, she pointed out the turn, which he almost missed. A few minutes later, they were crawling along the driveway to the Grange Hotel. On either side of them, trees were draped with twinkling lights. Up ahead, the glow from the windows of the imposing red brick building acted like a beacon, drawing them in.

A ripple of anticipation swept through Anna. After weeks of dreading the evening, she felt suddenly very calm about it.

Chapter Twelve

Once she’d checked in, Anna directed Warren to the hotel bar, leaving him there while she went to find her room. She’d considered taking him with her, but suspected getting ready would cause her some stress and she’d rather not have Warren around to witness her panic over her wardrobe choice.

The new dress she’d bought during the week had felt like a good idea in the shop, but as she slipped into the silky satin number, she felt hyperaware of the way it clung to her. In front of the mirror, she adjusted the midnight blue material, as though she could somehow make the slit which ran up her thigh less prominent.

It would be a formal affair in the ballroom, so she wasn’t overdressed, but usually she’d choose an outfit to blend in rather than draw attention.

At least she’d thought to bring a shawl. The shimmery silver material covered her arms but did little to tone down the cleavage on display.

Having Warren with her meant she’d draw attention anyway, at least among her friendship group, so her outfit probably didn’t matter much. She didn’t like to ponderwhy exactly she felt so inclined to wear something so revealing. Not since that would inevitably lead to her thinking about her lingering feelings for Hayden. She’d rather not go there.

Briefly, she considered changing into the other dress, which she’d feel more comfortable in, but forced herself to be brave and stick with her choice. The pep talk she gave herself while applying her makeup was ineffective, and she was a nervous wreck when she finally left the room to find Warren.

With a bottle of beer in his hand, Warren wandered back out of the bar and across the entrance hall. He poked his head into the large ballroom where staff in crisp black and white uniforms were putting the final touches to a space that featured a large dance floor circled by tables dressed in white tablecloths and sparkling silver cutlery. A canopy of fairy lights glowed between the ceiling beams, and festive foliage twined around sconces on the walls. Matching foliage made striking centrepieces on the tables. Backing away, he scanned the entranceway, which was vaguely intimidating in its elegance.

Slowly, he wandered back to the bar area, which was filling up with people. Gentle Christmas music blended with the chatter in the room. The women mostly wore elegant cocktail dresses, and the men ranged from bow ties and dinner jackets to more casual shirts with top buttons open.