Page 31 of A Chef's Kiss for Christmas

He glanced at the door, looking for Anna, then headed for the end of the bar, thinking it looked a good place to loiter while he waited.

He didn’t get far before hearing his name. A woman was waving at him, and he automatically moved in her direction.

“Hi,” she said as he got close to her and her group. “We met last weekend. I’m Frannie – Anna’s friend.”

He smiled. “Sorry, I didn’t recogniseyou for a second. You look different.” She’d been all wrapped up in her winter clothes the first time they met, which was a striking contrast to the strapless dress she wore now.

“True.” She looked down at herself and grinned. “I’m not usually so dressed up.”

“You look great,” he said. “It’s good to see you again.”

“You, too.” She grabbed the guy next to her, pulling him to her side. “This is Jake, my boyfriend. He’s also an old schoolfriend of Anna’s.”

Warren shook his hand. “Anna told me about you.”

“Did she mentionme?” an excited redhead asked from across their little circle.

“Kylie?” he asked, hoping he’d remembered the names correctly.

“Yes!” She beamed at him. “I’ve been hearing about you as well, though Anna’s been coy. She hasn’t said much.”

“Probably because she can’t get a word in,” the guy beside Kylie said, then extended his hand to Warren. “I’m Dev. Nice to meet you.”

“You, too.”

“Where’s Anna?” Frannie asked.

“She’s upstairs getting changed. I got shooed out of the way.”

“She sent me a photo of her dress,” Kylie said, pressing a hand to her chest. “I can’t wait to see her in it.” Her eyes shot to Frannie. “Where’s Hayden?”

“Late as usual,” Frannie replied.

Jake lowered his voice. “Probably waiting for what’s-her-name to finish trowelling her make-up on.”

“Don’t be mean,” Frannie said, giving him a disapproving look.

“He’s not bringing her anyway,” Kylie said. “They split up.”

“Who’s he bringing then?” Jake asked.

“No one,” Frannie said. “I told you earlier he’s coming on his own.”

“Did you?”

“He told me he was coming alone,” Dev added. “I’m not sure I believe it though. Also, what are we going to talk about if he doesn’t bring an inappropriate date?”

“Shush,” Kylie said. “He’s here now.”

Warren followed her gaze to the tall guy who sauntered in wearing a perfectly fitted three-piece suit. He had an air of confidence about him as he walked through the crowd, greeting a couple of people as he went.

Warren hung back while his friends greeted him with hugs and handshakes.

“Don’t take this personally,” Frannie told him when she released Hayden from a tight embrace. “But my great aunt Sandy is waving at me. I need to mingle before dinner.”

“Have fun!” Jake said, with a definite hint of sarcasm in his words.

Frannie laughed. “You’re coming with me. I can’t deal with my elderly relatives alone.”