CHRISTMAS PARTY   by Greeboina

Tascha was having a great time. It was the annual Christmas party at Hall or Nothing and this year some of their clients were attending. She had seen Nicky Wire and she knew that the others were here too. Little butterflies were fluttering in her stomach when she thought of her meeting James. It was a possibility and she was both looking forward to it and afraid. She always had had a little thing for the lead singer of Manics and had seen them several times through the years. Right now though she was chattering to Mike, her co-worker. She and Mike had hit off right away but he was as gay as he was gorgeous.

Suddenly he nudged her and looked over her shoulder. She turned around still laughing and met a pair of tawny brown eyes. She blinked a few times and blushed. She turned around to hide her embarrassment and Mike chuckled.
“He’s been looking at you some time”
He winked and smiled to her over his glass of wine.
“Now if looks could kill…”
She blushed even more and slapped his shoulder.
“Stop it!”
He grinned. She huffed but then laughed.

They kept chattering for a bit before Mike said he was just going to talk to their boss for a bit. She smiled and went to get some more to drink. She got her glass refilled and turned around. She looked around to see someone she knew but then she felt a hand on her arm. She turned around smiling but was startled when she saw it was James.
“Oh erm hello!”
She blushed. God, she sounded like a total nitwit. She looked shyly at him and he gave her a little smile.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Oh it’s okay.”
“Care for a dance?”
She nodded and placed her wine on the table. The song that was played was a slow one. She placed her hand on his shoulder and he took her hand. She had to hide the sigh when his hand was placed on her waist. For a while they just danced but then James smiled.
“Erm…I wanted to talk to you kinda like before but…”
“But?”
“I didn’t want to interrupt you and your boyfriend.”
“Mike? Boyfriend? Oh no! He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Oh”
James looked down and she smiled.
“If he would fancy any of us it would be you.”
James looked at her confused but then he understood.
“I feel stupid now”
He chuckled and looked at her.
“Don’t. Some mistake us for being a couple but they don’t know that it’s the wrong tree”
He laughed and she smiled. They continued talking and just followed the rhythm of the songs.

Then James asked her if she wanted something to drink. She nodded and they went to the bar. He got her some wine and they continued talking. She couldn’t stop herself from flirting with him. She was really attracted to him. She caught Mike looking at her and he winked to her. She blushed a bit and then concentrated on James.

He introduced her to Nicky and Sean. They were very polite and sweet and she suddenly knew how her friends could fancy Sean and Nicky. James seemed keen to introduce her and she wondered why. James excused himself as Martin wanted to talk to him. She was left with Nicky as Sean was dancing with his daughter. Nicky smiled as he looked at them and then he said:
“So James finally got the courage to talk you.”
She looked at Nicky. What had he just said? Nicky chuckled when he saw the baffled look on her face.
“You never saw him, did you? He’s often found excuses to see Martin in the hope of seeing you…”
He waved back to Sean’s daughter as she waved to him.
“Isn’t she a darling? My Clara is at home with my ma. She was not feeling too well.”
Then they talked about kids or Nicky talked about his daughter. He adored her. It was so easy to see and hear when he talked about her. They talked about dogs when James joined them again. She couldn’t help herself and gave him a big smile. They talked for a bit but then Nicky said he would be heading off back home. They said their goodbyes and then they were alone again. As alone as you can be at a party.

None of them said anything. They just looked shyly at each other. She bit her lip and then found the courage to ask him:
“Erm…are you doing anything next Friday?”
“No. Not what I know off.”
“Well, if you want I could make something to eat and…”
“I would love to!”
“Great!”
They both smiled to each other. She could feel the wine had made her more tipsy then she had thought. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. She blushed and looked shyly at James. He looked back at her and looked just as shy as her. He took her hand and squeezed it gently.

They talked but this time they were standing close to each other and were obviously flirting. Then she felt a hand on her arm and she turned around. It was Mike who was smiling his usual cheeky smile.
“I’m off home if you want that lift…”
“Just a sec. If you get our coats I’ll be there in a minute.”
He nodded and left them. She turned around and looked at James.
“So erm dinner next Friday? At 7pm?”
“Yes, I’ll bring something to drink.”
They both stood there and didn’t know what to say. Then James pulled her to him and kissed her gently on the lips.
“I’m looking forward to it…”

As she left the room she would swear she was floating . Mike saw her and laughed.  They got into the car and she turned around and waved to James . She looked at him till she couldn’t see him anymore. She sighed happily. Next Friday…




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