Page 98 of I’m Dreaming of a New York Christmas

‘Rick?’ I asked.

He nodded, pulling me in for a massive bear hug. I got the impression he was several beers in.

‘Congratulations!’ I said, once he released me.

‘Aww, thanks! We were so stoked when Ethan said he was bringing someone. Hang on, lemme just…’ Rick turned back towards the group he’d just been chatting to. ‘Sinead! Come and meet Flora.’

A stunning redhead in a floor-length silk gown that looked like it was made of molten gold turned to us, her face lighting up when she clapped eyes on me.

‘Congratulations!’ I said for the second time, hoping I wasn’t coming across as awkwardly as I felt.

‘Flora! We’ve heard so much about you!’ Sinead said, as she also pressed her body to mine.

‘Really?’ I asked, suddenly concerned I’d still have to pretend I was Ethan’s British colleague – we definitely should have worked out these details before now.

‘Yeah, really.’ She winked at me. ‘And we’re so excited to hear this speech you’ve written for him.’

‘Oh, gosh, no, I haven’t written it – it all came from Ethan. I just helped him with some structural stuff and a couple of ideas.’

‘Ha, Ethan said you were modest. Wait – I need to find someone for you to meet. She’s British! Wait right here!’

Ethan’s hand found mine and he squeezed it.

‘Ethan says you’re flying home tomorrow?’ Rick asked.

‘Yeah, that’s right.’

‘What a whirlwind, huh? Hey, I’ll be right back, just spotted someone I haven’t spoken to yet.’

‘A whirlwind,’ I repeated, taking a sip of my beer.

‘I mean, he’s not wrong,’ Ethan mused, taking a sip of his.

‘I don’t want tomorrow to come.’

Ethan pulled me towards him by my waist. ‘Same.’

Before we could wallow further, Sinead came back, arm-in-arm with yet another gorgeous human being, albeit a slightly older one.

‘Flora, this is Elle – Rick’s boss. She’s from England too!’ Sinead’s words faded out as she was dragged into another conversation.

‘Umm… hello fellow English person?’ Elle said, understandably embarrassed to be thrust in my face simply because we shared a nationality.

‘Hey, I’m Flora. You must work at The Helix?’

‘Yeah, moved over here with my family earlier this year.’

Rick suddenly emerged from the mass of people. ‘Sorry, need to borrow my bro for a second!’ He tugged Ethan by the nape of his suit jacket towards a door at the very back of the room.

‘I’ll be right back!’ Ethan called.

I turned back to Elle, who looked like she wanted to be anywhere else but talking to me.

‘So, you’re quite new to the city, then?’ I asked.

‘Yeah, feels like home, though.’

‘You’d… recommend living here?’