20. Iris
Chapter twenty
Iris
“I ’d be delighted.” I take Sebastian’s hand. His grip is warm and sure, and his lips have curved up in a smile.
If Melody had stayed, would he have danced the first dance with me? He didn’t look that upset, though, when Melody left.
We walk into the living room, where other couples are already swirling around the room. He pulls me into his arms, and I rest my hand on his shoulder, my arm on his.
And we’re off, sweeping across the floor. As he guides me around the door, around the other couples, I feel like I’m flying.
I grin at him, and he smiles back at me.
My dress swirls out as we twirl around the room, the hope and yearning of the violin chords filling my veins. Sebastian holds my hand firmly, and the warmth of his hand on my bare back is making my heart take flight. He smells of Ivory soap, and my mind skitters back to that desire to melt into his arms when we met. My dress flows between his legs as we dip to the music and turn again.
I step between his legs as we do the outside spin and our hips brush each other, our stomachs pressing against each other as we finish the turn. Shivery embers of fire light up inside me as my body brushes against his and then retreats in time to the music.
His hand splayed against my back presses firmly as he leads us around the room. Now it’s the deeper tones of the cellos calling out to the violins, seeking a response.
To avoid colliding into another couple, he pulls me tighter against him. My body arches against the hard wall of his chest, and I glance up at him. I can’t look away. His eyes darken. The air feels heavier. My heartbeat zips. I miss a step. Sebastian catches me, and we’re back on track. He holds my gaze as we swoop and spin again together.
Our bodies are communicating what we don’t yet want to say in words: I like you.
“What are you thinking?” he whispers, his head close to mine.
Not something I can share with you…yet.
“I love the waltz,” I say.
“I like dancing with you,” Sebastian says. “You’ve clearly danced it a lot. I’m looking forward to waltzing with you in your parents’ bar. How come it wasn’t part of your sister’s party?”
“My sister was worried she’d get nauseated with all the spinning,” I say. “She doesn’t like it as much as me.”
Lily and Rupert pass us, completely engrossed in each other. I smile fondly at them.
The music stops. We pull apart, but Sebastian still holds my hand. He releases it, reluctantly—I think—to clap.
His parents come over, and Sebastian introduces me to his dad, who looks like an older version of Sebastian.
“Iris works at the same company as Sebastian,” his mom says.
“That’s how your mom and I met,” Sebastian’s dad says.
“I think it’s a different time now, though,” his mom says.
“That’s for sure. Now that’s all frowned upon, but back in the day, it seemed a good way to meet someone because you really got to know them before you dated them.” His dad smiles at his mom. “Not that I wasn’t attracted to you the minute I saw you. But it was when I realized you were whip-smart too—that’s when I was really hooked. And she said no at first.”
“Why’d you say no?” I ask.
“He seemed like a workaholic and not much fun,” she says dryly.
“That was fair enough,” he says. “I am a workaholic, but Jen reminds me what’s really important in life. Sebastian here is too much of a workaholic like me, unfortunately.”
“You think I’m a workaholic?” Sebastian asks.
“I think you have to work way too hard as a lawyer to earn money as opposed to what you could earn in finance for the same effort and intellect,” his father says.
“Not here.” His mom frowns at his dad.
“I think you have to work hard at any job to learn everything you need to learn, and if so, it’s best that you love it,” I say.
Sebastian tips his head at me while his mom pokes his dad.
“Well said,” she says.
“What do you do?” Sebastian’s dad asks.
“I work in cybersecurity,” I say.
“That’s impressive,” his dad says. “A very up-and-coming field. Essential, really, nowadays.”
“Where’d you grow up, Iris?” his mom asks.
“In New York City.”
“Really? Are your parents still living here?”
“Yes, they love New York. They own a bar/music club on the Lower East Side.” I’m not sure Sebastian’s parents will approve of my family, given this Upper East Side apartment and the fact that his father is some hot shot in finance. I might as well state it upfront, because dancing with Sebastian is definitely making my heart flutter. I need to nip these feelings in the bud if this is some weird nineteenth-century situation where they will oppose our dating.
And indeed, his mom glances at his dad, only I can’t tell what the look means.
“Sebastian mentioned that you have a sister? And she’s pregnant?”
I guess I’m still worth being interviewed.
“I’m one of four,” I say.
“That’s wonderful.” His mom grins.
Sebastian shakes his head slightly at his mom. She frowns, opens her mouth, and then closes it. She clearly wants to ask something.
“Your parents must be thrilled to be expecting a grandchild,” she finally says.
“It will be their fourth, but they are excited,” I say. “My mom is busy knitting a blanket.”
“Four already. They’re so lucky,” his mom says.
“Okay, Mom,” Sebastian says. “Aren’t you busy enough with Pepper?” He turns to me. “That’s our dog. Annabelle, my sister, always wanted to name a dog Pepper when she was a kid, so that’s what we named our puppy.”
“Yes, it sounds like Iris is concentrating on her career right now,” his father says, “as she should be.”
“I don’t need grandchildren immediately,” his mom says, “but if Sebastian keeps telling everyone he wants to remain single forever, then I’m worried I’ll never get any grandchildren.”
“You heard?” Sebastian asks.
“As if I wouldn’t hear that you extolled the benefits of being single to Mary’s daughter. It was embarrassing,” his mom says. “Something about ‘it’s great to be single because nobody eats your last banana’? What is that?”
“She said she was about to move to Hong Kong and didn’t want to start a relationship,” Sebastian says, clearly caught flat-footed.
“She might have said that, but that’s not what she meant. Obviously, she wouldn’t have gone out on the date if she wasn’t looking for a relationship. And she’s only going to Hong Kong for a year. You can fly over every once in a while or Zoom or WhatsApp. But really? Nobody eats your last banana ? I’m going to come over to your house every morning and eat your last banana. Be forewarned.”
I try to keep a straight face. His mom catches my glance and starts laughing too. His dad joins in.
She shakes her head. “I seriously thought I brought him up better. I hope he hasn’t given you the banana excuse too.”
“You should steal his last banana,” I say.
“I should, shouldn’t I?” she asks.
The quartet begins to play another waltz. Sebastian laces his fingers through mine and pulls me closer to him.
“Will you excuse us so I can dance this waltz with Iris and try to go back to impressing her?” Sebastian asks and then turns to me. “Do you even want to still dance with me now that you’ve met my parents?”
“I still do,” I say.
“You two looked wonderful dancing together. Maybe you want some fresh air.” His mom says, “Don’t forget they’ve set up little heaters on the roof, Sebastian. You should show Iris up there. It has a very nice view.”
Sebastian blushes, and his mom laughs.
“I’m embarrassing you, aren’t I?” she asks. “Okay, I’ll leave you alone.” She walks a few feet away and then turns. “Don’t worry about clean-up.”
As his mom leaves, Sebastian says, “She’s not very subtle at matchmaking.”
He pulls me into his arms, holding me closer than before.
He nods to the beat, and then we’re off.
He smiles wryly at me. “I guess the bananas are not a worthy substitute for a relationship.”
“I guess not,” I say, but my voice comes out breathy. The way he’s looking at me and holding me… I’m having a hard time breathing. My heart is racing—he must hear it, feel it, in the pulse of my wrist where his thumb grazes. But he, too, seems affected, his eyes staring into mine.
We nearly bump into another couple, and we apologize and turn back to each other, smiling, even laughing a little.
As our glances meet, it’s as if there’s nobody else here. It’s just the two of us. His blue eyes, dark and intense, the dimmed lighting of the crystal chandelier flickering over his chiseled cheekbones, his full lips, his breath, smelling of red wine, caressing my cheek. His back arm holds me close against him, and he sweeps us around. I don’t look away, and I just follow him in time to the music, my feet flying. I’m not even sure they’re touching the floor. His arm holds me securely and firmly. Our bodies move in perfect synchrony. The deep notes of the cello linger, the expressive tenor tones weaving in and out. A faint whiff of cinnamon mixes in with the scent of holly as we sweep by the tree in the corner.
And I don’t want to fight these feelings anymore. I want to be swept away. I want to let myself fall in love. I want to trust Sebastian.
The music ends, and the quartet lead thanks everyone. They bow. Everybody is clapping. It’s over. The hour passed so quickly, I didn’t even realize.
“Do you want to come back to my apartment for a drink?” Sebastian asks.
As if there aren’t drinks here.
“Yes,” I say. “I should say thank you to your parents, and then I should use the bathroom.”
“You can write my parents a card, and let’s go to the bathroom near my old bedroom. That should be empty.”
He pulls me down the hallway. I can see his parents saying good-bye to guests in the dining room. Did Lily and Rupert leave?
“I can’t write your parents a note,” I say.
“Yes, you can,” Sebastian says, his voice gruff. “I’ll explain that you wanted to say good-bye and I pulled you away. My mom loves getting handwritten mail.”
He stops in front of a white door. “Here. I’ll meet you in my bedroom over there.” He points to another door. “I definitely don’t want another cross-examination from my mom.”
“You can give her a banana in a baby sling.” I open the bathroom door.
He puts his hands on either side of the door frame and leans in. “I didn’t know you had such an evil streak, Iris. That’s very tempting.”
I’m tempted to kiss him. He’s inches away.
“Only as long as your mom has a good sense of humor,” I say.
“She does.” He backs up to let the door close.
I stare in the mirror. Am I really going to his apartment? Am I ready to start another relationship? And with a work colleague? And the best friend of Rupert? And Zeke? Do I really have to call my parents and tell them I won’t be home tonight?
I open up the door to his room. The walls are painted blue, with a single bed in the corner and a desk by the window. He’s leaning against his desk, outlined by soft lamp light.
I step in and close the door. The click sounds loud in the silence. He watches me.
“What secrets will this reveal about you?” I ask.
“Are we about to reveal secrets?” He grins and takes a step closer.
I back up.
Am I ready?
I pick up a trophy that stands on a bookcase. “Squash. And you read books.” I pick up another trophy. “Debate.”
“Makes sense, for a lawyer.” He stands there, watching me.
I think he can tell I’m nervous. But it’s also excitement. I can’t believe this man might be mine. And the fact that he’s waiting—that he’s letting me call the shots…
I swallow and take a step forward.
I put my hand on his chest. His heart is beating fast. My heart skitters.
He reaches up and caresses my face as he whispers, “May I?”
I swallow and nod.
He smooths a tendril of hair behind my ear, his fingers fanning out and then caressing the skin behind my ear and down my neck. My skin feels heated where his fingers skim. I can’t take my eyes off him. I don’t dare breathe.
“I’ve wanted to do that all night,” he says. “You’re so beautiful.”
He rests his hand on my shoulder and traces my collarbone. I tilt my neck, and he slides his hand back under my hair. He steps closer, backing me up against the wall.
“Can I kiss you?” he asks. “I wanted to wait, but I don’t think I can.” Outside, the muted sound of good-byes dims as party revelers leave.
“Yes,” I say, and I reach up to pull his head down. His lips are firm. He pulls me against him. His hair is soft. His other hand cups my face. Our lips slant as we explore each other. He tastes of red wine. Shivers are cascading through me as he holds me tightly. His fingers skate over the heated skin of my bare back, teasing. He growls, and I feel that guttural sound deep in my stomach. He presses little kisses down my neck, down to my collarbone. He looks up, and I think he trembles, need and desire etched into his face.
“I’m so into you,” he says. His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. He closes his eyes and then opens them. He groans. “I really was very happy being single.”
I hold his face in my hands. “Let’s be happy being together.”
“Let’s,” he says. He sweeps me up and carries me over to the bed, stopping to lock the door on the way over.
“Just a few more minutes kissing, and then let’s go to my apartment.” He lays me down on the bed and scoots in next to me. “Maybe we should always sleep in a single bed.”
“Not if you want to get any sleep,” I say. “I’m a restless sleeper.”
“I’m not planning on a lot of sleep tonight.” He pulls me close to him, so I’m lying half on top of him. His heart is beating so fast as he caresses my back.
“Mmm.” I arch against him. His lips claim mine again. All I want is Sebastian and his teasing, tender touch.