‘Likewise.’
Duncan’s gaze turned to Clara. ‘And is this your lovely wife?’
Clara blinked, a smile still tugging at her lips.
‘Er, no. Clara’s a teacher too.’
Lissa raised her eyebrows at Duncan. ‘I was just about to introduce her if you would listen. This is Clara.’ She patted her on the arm. Then, with a mischievous glint, she glanced from Clara to Sam. ‘But you could pretend to be married tonight.’ She winked.
Sam frowned and rubbed his forehead. ‘Why?’
Duncan gave him a hearty nudge. ‘For the after-party fun, of course,’
Lissa smacked his arm. ‘Duncan!’
Clara looked up at Sam, and they exchanged a wide-eyed glance before both dissolving into laughter, Clara’s hand covering her mouth. ‘You two are mental.’ Clara shook her head.
‘Us?’ Lissa pulled a face of mock shock.
‘If you’d like to go in,’ the server suggested.
‘Yes, let’s do that.’ Sam put out his hand for Clara to go in front.
‘Oh, this is gorgeous.’ Lissa swooped in, throwing her arms wide like she was about to perform an operatic number.
Sam caught Clara’s eye again, and they started silently chuckling.
‘Hello, hello,’ a voice from the door said.
Adele and Brenna had arrived with a handful of other teachers, all chatting and looking around. Both Adele and Brenna looked ready to step onto a red carpet.
‘You two look gorgeous.’ Clara hugged them both. ‘Those dresses are stunning.’
‘You look amazing yourself.’ Adele gave her a double pat on the arm before turning to Lissa. Her black hair was piled high, heels adding to her height. ‘Thanks for organising this, Lissa. It looks beautiful – exactly what we need after this week.’
‘It really is,’ Clara added. ‘This is exactly why we love you.’
Lissa waved off the praise and introduced her husband.
‘You ladies are all stunning,’ Duncan said.
‘You’ll make Lissa jealous,’ Brenna teased.
‘Not when she’s eyeing up this one.’ He jabbed a thumb at Sam and laughed.
‘Honestly, my husband’s a riot.’ Lissa rolled her eyes. ‘But I’m on my best behaviour. Sam and Clara are pretending to be married tonight, so I’d better not upset his fake wife.’
‘Lissa!’ Clara glared at her.
Adele and Brenna exchanged raised-brow looks and glanced at Sam. He shot them one back that clearly said,It’s just Lissa. Don’t ask.
Adele grinned. ‘If that’s how we’re playing it, maybe Brenna and I should pretend to be married too.’ She gave her anexaggerated once-over. ‘Can you imagine what the parents would say?’
Brenna laughed. ‘Never mind the parents – what about Max? He’d lose it if the “two hottest fuckers” in school got together.’
Adele doubled over laughing. Clara snorted into her hand. Sam just shook his head.
‘I don’t think I want to imagine his reaction. Ever. Too disturbing,’ he said.
