Ease settled over me at the sight of them. There were people in my life who were proud of me, without me having to give something up just to be with them. Today was the culmination of years of hard work, and not once had Molly messaged me.
Seeing Dom grinning made me realise I would be happy if it was just us. I didn't need any kind of party, I just wanted him. We stood by each other, taking on whatever life threw at us, and it showed that he was the one here and Molly had left.
I tried not to stare. I really did. But there was something about the way he looked at me. I could feel him, like he was inside me; his gaze boring into me and capturing mine. My heart picked up a beat and I drew in a quick breath, so absorbed in him that I almost missed Mum snatching the microphone away.
It was only when it left my hands that I looked up, her eyes sparkling. “And I have another wonderful announcement! My son—”
I cut her off as fast as I could, nerves exploding as I grabbed the microphone back, though she fought me. I wasn’t about to let her steal the spotlight with whatever fake announcement she had planned. She’d already given a speech when the party opened. Today was mine to celebrate.
“Would like to ask his mother if she would give me the honour of the first dance?” I moved back from her, pulling the microphone from her bony grasp before she could do any more damage.
I offered her a hand, giving the microphone back to Dad, knowing already by the slightest downturn of his lips that he was angry Mum attempted to take over the event with one of her ‘spectacles’, as he liked to call them.
She continued to clutch my arm as we made our way to the stairs on the left, straight towards Dom and Cat. My lungs tightened with every step, and I couldn’t resist falling into his gaze as we descended.
Mum waved like the queen she was, until we reached the base of the steps. Dom was there instantly. He released Cat, moving towards us, throwing his arms around me, suddenly wrapping me in his warmth.
“Congratulations.” His breath traced the shell of my ear, and I shuddered. He gave me a squeeze and kissed my hair before he said, “It’s what you’ve always wanted, right?”
He moved away, and I expected another one of his wide grins, but what I saw there nearly floored me. It wasn’t just that burning heat that had been plaguing me since he’d looked up at me during brunch. It was deeper, hiding pain behind a forced smile that had his eyebrows drawn as he stepped back from me. A sudden coldness swept across my body as I tried to understand what it was. Because I swear, I was beating with the same pain.
The crowd pulled me away, but I managed to throw one more glance at Dom, though he was already gone. He murmured something in Cat’s ear that had paranoia spiking through me as she smiled.
Mum led me into the centre of the dance floor. Her dress swayed around her ankles as she took up her position. More couples spread out around us, just as the violins began. I could already tell from the look on her face that I was in for another hissed argument about me ruining her life, but with that look in Dom’s eyes filling my mind, I honestly didn’t care what she had to say.
I just wanted to find him. I wanted to know what he was feeling and what it meant, even though I’m sure it would be the worst decision of my life.
Harry
Two hours and fifty thousand conversations later, I was ready to leave. I could usually hide for at least half an hour when the schmoozing became too much, but here, stuck on the boat, nowhere was safe. Unless there was a distraction, someone would always try to find me.
It was only 7PM. The staff were bringing out round tables for dinner, complete with tablecloths and flower arrangements that matched the attendees’ colour choice. Mum was nothing if not meticulous. Along with that, standing torches were lit around the boat, even though the sun wouldn’t set until after 9PM, and a stage had been erected at the bow.
I had to stay up until at least 1AM until the main guests had retired for the night.
It was dinner, then a private performance from the London Opera House, then more drinks, an art auction, and finally the fireworks to signal the end of the night. But when you had already done five sixteen-hour days in a row, the prospect of another six hours of work didn’t have me jumping to my feet, even though today was so monumental.
By the time dinner was over, I was tired and frustrated. I had achieved something I’d worked towards for years. Almost everyone at the party had congratulated me, and the night was going perfectly. My family was even acting restrained, which was a miracle in itself.
But I’d texted Molly three times, and she still hadn’t replied. That, combined with the fact that every one of my senses had been on fire the entire night, had me on edge.
Dom had been with me since my dance with Mum ended, like he always was at these parties. The only difference was I had never balanced on a fine line of wanting to kiss him and push him away.
But the conversation was light, no tension-inducing stares from him, though he kept stroking me, nudging me here and there to help me stay soft. He knew how irritated I could get at these events, and he was usually the one who calmed me.
Dom and I were still mingling, but Bunny Collins had caught us in a chokehold. We’d been talking for at least fifteen minutes, but I could tell she was hanging around just to get to her pitch, easing us in with small talk before she pounced.
At five foot two, she was the complete opposite of her outward appearance, especially when she was drenched in hot pink and chiffon. She was all cute smiles, adorable blonde curled hair, and a personality that rivalled the devil herself. People simply thought she was a spoiled princess. No one knew the true Bunny that lay underneath her shiny veneer.
On top of that, she was angling for a spot in Mum’s social circle. We’d grown up together, attending these parties for years, so I forgave her for it. It also meant no one else would interrupt us unless they wanted to deal with Bunny’s particular brand of revenge.
She rolled her eyes as she pursed her lips. “And then my step-mum said if I don’t buy those shoes, she’d get them for me!” she said as she placed her hand on her chest for dramatic effect.
Dom blessed her with one of his classic smiles as she went on. He shot me another look, the same look he’d been giving me all night. But these were ones I could handle. Open and friendly, but still dangerous.
I returned Dom’s smile with an easy grin.
“I totally feel like we need to have a better hold on our spending,” Bunny continued. “These parties are, like,soimportant, but we have to save money, too. Do you see what I mean?”