Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
O nce she’d checked in, Anna directed Warren to the hotel bar, leaving him there while she went to find her room. She’d considered taking him with her, but suspected getting ready would cause her some stress and she’d rather not have Warren around to witness her panic over her wardrobe choice.
The new dress she’d bought during the week had felt like a good idea in the shop, but as she slipped into the silky satin number, she felt hyperaware of the way it clung to her.
In front of the mirror, she adjusted the midnight blue material, as though she could somehow make the slit which ran up her thigh less prominent.
It would be a formal affair in the ballroom, so she wasn’t overdressed, but usually she’d choose an outfit to blend in rather than draw attention.
At least she’d thought to bring a shawl. The shimmery silver material covered her arms but did little to tone down the cleavage on display.
Having Warren with her meant she’d draw attention anyway, at least among her friendship group, so her outfit probably didn’t matter much.
She didn’t like to ponder why exactly she felt so inclined to wear something so revealing.
Not since that would inevitably lead to her thinking about her lingering feelings for Hayden. She’d rather not go there.
Briefly, she considered changing into the other dress, which she’d feel more comfortable in, but forced herself to be brave and stick with her choice. The pep talk she gave herself while applying her makeup was ineffective, and she was a nervous wreck when she finally left the room to find Warren.
With a bottle of beer in his hand, Warren wandered back out of the bar and across the entrance hall.
He poked his head into the large ballroom where staff in crisp black and white uniforms were putting the final touches to a space that featured a large dance floor circled by tables dressed in white tablecloths and sparkling silver cutlery.
A canopy of fairy lights glowed between the ceiling beams, and festive foliage twined around sconces on the walls.
Matching foliage made striking centrepieces on the tables.
Backing away, he scanned the entranceway, which was vaguely intimidating in its elegance.
Slowly, he wandered back to the bar area, which was filling up with people. Gentle Christmas music blended with the chatter in the room. The women mostly wore elegant cocktail dresses, and the men ranged from bow ties and dinner jackets to more casual shirts with top buttons open.
He glanced at the door, looking for Anna, then headed for the end of the bar, thinking it looked a good place to loiter while he waited.
He didn’t get far before hearing his name. A woman was waving at him, and he automatically moved in her direction.
“Hi,” she said as he got close to her and her group. “We met last weekend. I’m Frannie – Anna’s friend.”
He smiled. “Sorry, I didn’t recognise you for a second. You look different.” She’d been all wrapped up in her winter clothes the first time they met, which was a striking contrast to the strapless dress she wore now.
“True.” She looked down at herself and grinned. “I’m not usually so dressed up.”
“You look great,” he said. “It’s good to see you again.”
“You, too.” She grabbed the guy next to her, pulling him to her side. “This is Jake, my boyfriend. He’s also an old schoolfriend of Anna’s.”
Warren shook his hand. “Anna told me about you.”
“Did she mention me? ” an excited redhead asked from across their little circle.
“Kylie?” he asked, hoping he’d remembered the names correctly.
“Yes!” She beamed at him. “I’ve been hearing about you as well, though Anna’s been coy. She hasn’t said much.”
“Probably because she can’t get a word in,” the guy beside Kylie said, then extended his hand to Warren. “I’m Dev. Nice to meet you.”
“You, too.”
“Where’s Anna?” Frannie asked.
“She’s upstairs getting changed. I got shooed out of the way.”
“She sent me a photo of her dress,” Kylie said, pressing a hand to her chest. “I can’t wait to see her in it.” Her eyes shot to Frannie. “Where’s Hayden?”
“Late as usual,” Frannie replied.
Jake lowered his voice. “Probably waiting for what’s-her-name to finish trowelling her make-up on.”
“Don’t be mean,” Frannie said, giving him a disapproving look.
“He’s not bringing her anyway,” Kylie said. “They split up.”
“Who’s he bringing then?” Jake asked .
“No one,” Frannie said. “I told you earlier he’s coming on his own.”
“Did you?”
“He told me he was coming alone,” Dev added. “I’m not sure I believe it though. Also, what are we going to talk about if he doesn’t bring an inappropriate date?”
“Shush,” Kylie said. “He’s here now.”
Warren followed her gaze to the tall guy who sauntered in wearing a perfectly fitted three-piece suit. He had an air of confidence about him as he walked through the crowd, greeting a couple of people as he went.
Warren hung back while his friends greeted him with hugs and handshakes.
“Don’t take this personally,” Frannie told him when she released Hayden from a tight embrace. “But my great aunt Sandy is waving at me. I need to mingle before dinner.”
“Have fun!” Jake said, with a definite hint of sarcasm in his words.
Frannie laughed. “You’re coming with me. I can’t deal with my elderly relatives alone.”
“No,” he grumbled. “I don’t even have a drink, Frannie. Let me get a drink!”
Ignoring his protests, Frannie dragged him away.
“Speaking of drinks,” Hayden said.
“I’ll go.” Dev grinned. “My round!”
“Oh, my god!” Kylie glared at him. “You’re going to make that joke all night, aren’t you? It’s not even funny.” She cast Warren a weary glance. “It’s a free bar. Dev thinks he’s hilarious.” Her eyes widened, and she looked at Hayden. “This is Warren, by the way.”
“Hey.” Warren shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“We’ll go to the bar,” Kylie said, taking Dev’s arm. “Do you need another?” she asked Warren .
He held up his bottle, which was almost full. “I’m fine, thanks.”
“I think I’m going to have champagne,” Kylie said happily. “I’ll grab Anna one too. She should be here soon.”
As they wandered away, Warren took a swig of his beer.
“How do you know Kylie?” Hayden asked while his eyes scanned the room.
“I don’t. I only just met her.”
“Are you a friend of Frannie?”
“No. I’m here with Anna.”
The way he suddenly had Hayden’s attention was almost comical.
“How do you two know each other?”
The feeling of rivalry that overwhelmed Warren wasn’t exactly rational. This guy had hurt Anna, though, and that didn’t sit well with him. If he could annoy Hayden, he’d do it at every opportunity.
He opened his mouth to tell him they were dating, but stopped when he spotted Anna across the room and lost his ability to focus on anything other than her.
In the dark, sultry dress, she looked absolutely breathtaking. From the corner of his eye, he was vaguely aware of Hayden waiting for an answer, but he couldn’t drag his attention from Anna. His chest fluttered when her gaze collided with his. A smile touched her lips and brightened her eyes.
“Here she is,” Warren muttered as she made a beeline for them. He caught the way Hayden’s eyes widened when he laid eyes on Anna. The hunger in them was wolfish and not subtle in the slightest.
“Hi.” She greeted Hayden first, giving him a perfunctory hug while keeping her eyes on Warren and looking for all the world like she was entirely uninterested in Hayden.
Stepping close to Warren, she smiled shyly. “Do I look okay? ”
He stifled a laugh at the world’s most absurd question.
“Stunning,” he said quietly, deciding this was a great opportunity to answer Hayden’s question about how he knew Anna without uttering a word to him. “I’m definitely the luckiest man in the room tonight,” he said, gazing into Anna’s eyes and watching the blush that brightened her cheeks.
He lifted her chin and swept his lips against hers in a kiss that was far too fleeting.
“I take it you two have already met?” she said, eyes flicking to Hayden.
“Yes,” Warren said. “Frannie spotted me and introduced me to your friends.”
Hayden’s jaw was tight as he stared at Anna. “I didn’t realise you were seeing someone.”
“Yes,” she said, a hand resting on Warren’s arm. “Where’s…” She appeared to be thinking, but Warren was certain it was just for show. “Nicola, isn’t it?”
“She’s not here,” Hayden said. “We broke up.”
“Sorry to hear that,” Anna said, her eyebrows pulling together. “Are you here on your own?”
“Yes. Kylie said Mike wasn’t coming, so I thought it would be just the six of us, like old times.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I didn’t realise you were bringing someone.”
“Anna!” Kylie shrieked behind them. “Bloody hell. You look fantastic.”
“Thank you,” Anna said, accepting a glass of bubbly from her friend. “You look amazing too.”
“This old thing,” Kylie said, dropping her hip dramatically as she looked down at herself. “I thought it looked good until I saw you walk in. You have better accessories than me as well. It’s all very unfair.”
Warren caught the puzzled look on Anna’s face as her hand went to her necklace. He also caught the mischievous wink Kylie directed his way .
“I think she means me,” Warren whispered in Anna’s ear.
“Oh.” She rolled her eyes at Kylie, then took a long sip of her champagne.
Feeling the nerves radiating from her, Warren put a protective hand on her back.
He felt an inexplicable spark of pride when she moved closer to his side.