Don’t get me wrong, she looks sensational. But she’s dressed for a nightclub, not a family dinner. I can only assume she has plans for afterwards.
Victoria’s at her heels dressed in a black high-neck dress with a pearl trim on the shoulders. Even though she looks so grown up tonight, there’s an innocence about her that her sisters never had. She oozes a wholesomeness that I’d love to preserve for her forever. Standing behind the seat next to Chloe, she lays claim to it as she openly stares at her middle sister in discernible admiration.
Pierce, Frankie and Archie arrive together dressed in matching dinner jackets and jeans, like they collaborated on what might be an appropriate outfit beforehand. A collective awkwardness radiates from them.
As I said to Sasha earlier, we might all have become closer over the past few weeks, but this is taking things to a different level. Well, with Frankie and Archie anyway, Pierce and I have dined together a hundred times before. He lives in my house in LA after all.
‘Sit down, please. You’re very welcome here.’ Sasha greets them individually with a single peck on the cheek. I snigger as Pierce’s ears turn pink at the attention.
It’s one way to break the ice anyway.
My eyebrows furrow as Archie makes a swift beeline for the seat next to Victoria. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he has a soft spot for her. A sense of protectiveness swells in my chest for Sasha’s youngest sister, but Sasha said it herself, Victoria is almost eighteen. She’ll be off to college in a matter of months.
Megan arrives looking like a sixties movie star, her auburn hair swept onto some sort of elaborate twist at the base of her neck. Pierce rises from his chair, automatically pulling out the one next to him. He’s one man who will never be off duty.
Ever the gracious hostess, Sasha offers everyone beers, wine or cognac. The lads gratefully accept, all opting for something small and potent, which I pour from the crystal decanter on the drinks cabinet.
Angela arrives, minus her girlfriend who is working until the 22nd. She knows the security lads, but I introduce her to the others.
Two flustered looking waitresses arrive, smoothing down pristine white pinafores across the front of their formal black uniforms. The younger of the two halts in her tracks as her gaze meets mine. The wine glass she’s clutching slips through her fingers and hits the floor with an almighty smash that sends clear sharp fragments skidding in every direction.
Sasha races over as fast as the sculpted Evangeline Araceli will permit. Placing a hand on the girl’s arm, she comforts her. ‘Don’t worry, sweetheart. He has that effect on all of us.’
The poor girl looks distraught. ‘I’m so sorry. I’ll get the brush.’
Victoria pipes up from her seat at the table, ‘Not quite all of us, can I just say.’ Her nose scrunches in mock distaste and she pokes her tongue out, raising a tension-melting chuckle round the table.
Amongst the chaos, my brother slips into the room. He’s changed into a sapphire shirt and chinos almost the exact same shade of blue. A five o’clock shadow peppers his chin the same as my own. He saunters across the room just as Sasha’s pouring wine into her sisters’ glasses.
‘Just a small one for you, lady,’ she says to Victoria. ‘Remember we had to put you to bed the last time.’
Chloe thrusts her glass under Sasha’s nose. ‘Fill me up! You know I’d like a large one.’
‘I could probably help you with that.’ Jayden’s deep husky voice slides past my ear as he takes the seat the other side of Chloe, as if he owns the place.
Chloe’s head snaps round to seek the source of that heavily weighted promise. The initial hint of a smile is replaced with pure disgust as recognition rips across her face.
‘Ugh. You!’
‘Hello, Chloe. It’s been a while.’ His eyes roam across her body, unashamedly undressing what little material covers it.
Chloe rolls her eyes like she might die of boredom and huffs, not even bothering to gratify him with a response. Instead, she makes a show of returning to her previous conversation with Victoria and Megan, while Sasha fills the glasses and the waitress brings over another couple of bottles.
‘Welcome home, Jayden.’ Sasha pats his shoulder and he stands to kiss both of her cheeks.
‘Thanks, Sasha. Thank goodness one of you Sextons has impeccable manners.’ He grins and nods towards Chloe, who judging by her scowl, is eavesdropping on the exchange.
For a man whose mood swings are notorious, I’m seeing that grin a lot lately.
‘Oh don’t mind Chloe. She eats men like you for breakfast.’ Sasha’s irises glitter with amusement.
Jayden’s ears positively prick with intrigue. ‘Is that right?’
‘Yep. Breakfast, but don’t expect lunch. No one gets a second date. Ever.’ Sasha presses her fingers to her lips as if it’s a secret, but Chloe’s scowl has been replaced with a defiant expression, which she wears like a coat of armour.
‘There’s a challenge if I ever heard one.’ Jayden whispers in my ear.
‘How about a toast?’ Sasha scans the table, ensuring everyone has a full glass before raising her own. ‘To the most fabulous Christmas ever.’
