“Are you able to video call them tomorrow?Koby mentioned they were in Europe at the moment?”
“Yeah, I’ll jump on the horn with them, but I want them to enjoy the time over there and not worry about me.”
“Well, please come through, grab a drink and everyone is hanging out the back.”I wave Liam in front of me, introducing him to Jill and Bernie, grab him a soft drink from the fridge and take him outside to everyone else.
Koby takes over introducing everyone to Liam.
We gather and sit at the table, enjoying the beautiful food and even better company.
The joyful day comes to an end.Everyone is well-fed, and well-spent, lazing around the lounge room and outside.The kids have spent the majority of their time in the pool and back patio, like they have always done since they were old enough to not need an adult supervising.Parents sit around in the lounge room, chatting and laughing.Christmas music playing through the speakers.I steal a glance outside as I grab another bottle of wine to see Aria and Liam sitting on the chairs outside, animatedly talking between themselves.Maybe they have discovered their connection, living so close together when they were growing up after all.They get up and say goodbye to the kids in the pool, heading inside.
Aria smiles at me, “I’m going to head off to see mum.”
“Did you need a lift at all?”Koby stands, ready to assist.
“No, relax.Liam is heading home so offered me a ride, seeing how he is a few houses away from Mum’s.”
“Thanks so much for welcoming me today.It was a wonderful day,” Liam exclaims, giving me a kiss on the cheek and making his way around to all the parents in the lounge room.
Bernie stands, “I’ll head out too.I’ve crashed your Christmas long enough and I’m sure my dog is waiting for me.”She makes her way around to hug everyone.
Koby walks with me to see everyone out the door, both of us standing outside my house on the footpath, watching them get into their respective cars and taking off.
I stare into the empty street, taking stock of the day, as Koby’s hand slips into mine and squeezes.
20
Rayna
One Long Fucking Week Later
Myhousebeingsoclose to the city and the city starting to close off streets for the News Year’s Eve celebrations, everyone began taking off leading up to the day.
Jill, Teddy and the kids headed off to visit Teddy’s family in Tasmania to spend the New Year with them before heading back to New Zealand.Aria and Courtney are away in glorious South Australia for a mother-daughter trip.And Louie arranged to spend the New Year with some friends over in Western Australia but waited until the last, least street blocking day to head off, insisting on taking a cab so I wasn’t stuck in traffic.
Once I say goodbye to Louie at the door, I make my way to the lounge and plonk myself down next to Koby.His arm stretches over the back as I cuddle up next to him.Realising Koby and I are very much alone in the house, my heart begins to race.
His other hand takes one of mine, and he brings it to his mouth.“That was a fucking long-ass week.”
Laughing, I nod in agreement.It was an amazing week.Beach hangs with everyone, cocktails by the pool.Lazy summer meals.It was fabulous.But we have been reserved.We have been affectionate this last week, but nothing past a bedtime make-out session.And I’ll be honest, Jill has helped me mentally prepare myself.I don’t know how she did it, but she really put my mind at ease.It could’ve been the gentle sibling-style teasing or the fact she just sat and listened to me when I was talking about my feelings and insecurities for the past week.Either way, I feel like I’m ready to do more than just rub up against Koby tonight.
“What do you feel like doing for dinner?”He asks, still holding my hand, kissing my wrist.
My heart races.I need to find the courage.“We could…perhaps I’m…” I stammer, losing my nerve.
He moves to face me more, lifting his arm up from behind me and tucking some hair behind my ear.“Take your time.Not like you to be so flustered.”He leans over and kisses my cheek.“Deep breath and collect your thoughts.”His lips brush against my jaw.
Inhaling deeply, I put my other hand on his and squeeze tightly.“I’m ready.”
Koby stills, pulling back to look at me.“You are?”
I nod.My teeth trap my bottom lip to avoid smiling too much.Like a weirdo.
He leans in and claims my mouth.Our kissing, urgent and ferocious.Our arms wrap around each other, gripping and pulling each other close to each other.
His hand trails down from my neck to grab my breast, causing me to gasp.
Peeking around to assess the room’s lighting.It’s not dark enough for me to comfortably be naked down here.I did not think this through.Fucking daylight savings time.
