“I’ll keep that in mind.”
She leans into me with a laugh, and we make our way into the grand hall. It’s decorated with strings of lights, greenery everywhere, almost a jungle theme, which feels so out of place when compared with the cold London night we just came in from.
There’s a loud squeal, and Char comes sashaying towards us, dragging Jordan along with her.
“Ahhhh you’re here!” She wraps Mia in a hug, and then leans up to plant a quick kiss on my cheek. “You both look incredible.”
“Thank you, babes. You look gorgeous!” Mia steps back to take in the tight red dress Charlotte is wrapped in. “Wow.”
An attendant appears beside us, and gives Mia a nod. “May I take your coat, Mrs Graves?”
“Yes, thank you.”
I’m glad there are no photographers around when Mia slides the fur coat from her arms, because that would have been truly embarrassing. The low-cut back of the dress reveals so much of her beautiful skin that I have to consciously remind myself that my jaw cannot drop right now.
Shit.
I quickly avert my eyes, darting past Jordan’s face and quickly looking away from him too, because he’s smugly suppressing a smile which means I’m being obvious as all get out.
Great.
“You look amazing, Mia,” Jordan says, and Mia smiles at him indulgently.
“You all have to stop talking about how amazing I look otherwise I’m going to get a big head.” She lifts an eyebrow. “Something wrong, Dominic?”
“Nope, no, absolutely fine,” I say quickly, and gesture to the tables. “Shall we? I’m dying for a drink.”
I swear to god Charlotte muttersI bet you areas I pass her.
Jordan and I get the girls situated at our table before heading to the bar. The ballroom is humming with conversation and laughter, music playing softly in the background.
Jordan and I order our drinks - champagne cocktails for Mia and Charlotte, whiskey on ice for us - and Jordan turns to me as we take the drinks.
“Mia seems happy,” he says. “It’s good to see.”
“She’s rather incredible isn’t she?”
Jordan nods, his steps slowing as we head back to the table. “I sure think so.”
I give him an uncertain side glance, wondering if maybe, just maybe I’m misreading something. “You like her, don’t you?” My heart sinks a little at the words.
“I do.” He glances at me with a shy smile. “Not like that, though. Really. She’s like the big sister I never had.” He gazes over at the table with a sigh. “She needs someone who can keep up with her, that one. Maybe even someone who can overtake her every now and then. God knows she’s been running ahead clearing the way all her life.”
Mia catches sight of us coming back to the table, her eyes drifting from my face to Jordan’s, and her brows draw together.
“You look awfully serious,” she says to Jordan, taking the champagne glass from my hand.
Jordan shakes his head. “Just talking about you.”
Mia rolls her eyes with a laugh. “You lot need to find something more interesting to talk about. Like, where is everyone going this summer?”
“Greece!” Charlotte exclaims, and she and Mia clink their glasses together. “I am going to lie in the Greek sun, and get a fabulous tan, and pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist.”
“Sounds amazing!” Mia crosses her arms on the table and looks over at Jordan. “And you?”
“Morocco,” he replies. “I found a little place in a town called Essaouira last year, and I’m really eager to go back.”
“Ooh that sounds amazing, I’ve never been to Morocco.” Mia’s smile lands on me. “And you?”
