It’s true.
In actions if not in thoughts.
‘She’s yourfriend, Lily, is she? You’ve got a new colleague? You didn’t mention it to me. He didn’t mention it to us, did he, Jas?’ Cassie pulls her partner into the conversation.
Jasmine shrugs because clearly she couldn’t give a shit.
‘Stop being an arse and come and say hello. She’s The Love Doctor, you know, the woman that the girls have been banging on about for some time, and she's going to volunteer at City Youth. And, little sister, you have met her before. At the lido. That day in the sauna.’
‘Oh my God,that’ssauna woman. The woman you met when you reeked of aftershave.’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘And now she’s working with you?’
‘A massive coincidence.’
‘Uh-huh. But you know what, looking at her now, like in clothes and make-up – I mean, I love you, bruv, I really do, but yeah, you’ve got no chance.’
‘Hey, hello. You made it, and you must be Cassie.’ Dan bounces into us. I’m not entirely sure where he’s come from, but he has temporarily saved me. ‘Happy birthday!’ Dan pulls Cass into an embrace and kisses both cheeks before releasing her and stroking her shoulders as he bounces from one foot to another.
‘Thanks, and this is Jasmine, my girlfriend,’ Cass says. Jasmine lets out a tight smile and moves closer to Cass.
‘Hi, Jasmine, good to meet you, come, come.’ And he motions us to follow him. Which isn’t exactly my plan for this evening. I hadn’t wanted to latch onto Lily’s group and whilst I expected to see Jinx and Dan tonight I assumed we would sit separately, but Cass is bounding behind Dan – the two of them are like little twins with their high energy and easy smiles – pulling Jas behind her, their fingers entwined in a message of togetherness.
‘Oh, it’s okay, we won’t crash your table, we can sit over—’ I say but my sister interrupts immediately.
‘No, I want to sit with your friends.’ She puts on a faux pout to remind me she’s the birthday girl.
It occurs to me that sitting there will allow Lily to observe Cass and Jas’s relationship. Not the original plan but not an entirely unhappy bonus.
Chapter Twenty-One
Lily
Isense Jay enter Chrysalis rather than see him and use all my self-control to continue chatting to Adore Vajayjay about her plans for next month. But my body is alert, and it is almost as if it wants to twist away from my mind, separate itself entirely and go and curl around Jay in welcome. And then stay there for a bit. Several hours, maybe longer.
I am not used to this feeling.
But thankfully, as a master of self-control, I finish my conversation before heading back to my table. I smile a welcome at Cassie and the woman whom I assume is her girlfriend, Jasmine. Cassie has the same eyes as Jay, deep melty puddles that warm your soul as they land on you, reassure you that there is nothing that can’t be dealt with together.
I slide into the seat next to Jay. Without saying a word, he lifts his arm and I snuggle under. He strokes my hair and I feel myself nestle a bit further into his chest as the conversation continues around us. It all takes about five seconds until I realise what I’ve done, completely unwittingly, and I sit bolt upright and disentangle myself from him, moving away and putting space between us; but not before I see Cass’s eyebrows rise and Jinx and Dan exchange a look.
It all felt so very natural, it was an instinctive action for both of us, and without realising – and certainly without intending – we have shared a moment of intimacy common amongst lifelong friends, long-standing couples.
Colleagues? Um... not so much.
As I unwrap myself from under his shoulder I see the realisation dawn on him too. He lets out a cough and straightens his frame. I don’t dare look sideways at him. To have snuggled, for Jesus’ sake, and in front of his sister! However, he makes no apology, nor refers to it, merely brings his hands down on the table, ‘So, who’s drinking what? Let me go and get us all some drinks.’
‘We’re fine,’ Dan says, indicating the drinks already on the table.
‘Maybe I need some more Dutch courage,’ Jinx insists.
‘Yes, cos your shy retiring nature struggles with getting up on those decks knowing all eyes are on you. Get going, you should be starting your set now,’ Dan immediately responds.
‘Scandalous, but we do need rescuing from that godawful cacophony. Jay, lovely to see you again, and you birthday girl...’ Jinx leans over the table and places a kiss on Cassie’s cheek. I see Jasmine stiffen but it is almost imperceptible and her smile stays fixed on her face; there is nothing there that I can read for sure. ‘I’m going to play tunes that will make your heart beat fast and your pussy weep.’
Jasmine’s face certainly changes at that, but to be fair I don’t blame her. Cassie however roars with laughter. ‘I shall hold you to it,’ she says as Jasmine grabs her hand again and intertwines their fingers.
