Page 33 of Mixing Drinks For Tipsy Weasels

He chuckles and leans in to brush his lips against mine again. I sink into the kiss, wondering how I'm going to be able to head back to my friends and act like this is just a normal day at the ball when I could be here doing this instead.

A loud swell of music fills the air as the band takes to the stage, followed by a cheer from the assembled students. I'm not sure who the band is, I saw the name on Robin's plans, but didn't recognise them, though it seems that some of the others do.

"Come dance with me," I say, reaching out to take his hand.

I half expect him to say no, but then he nods and lets me lead him over to my table so we can put our drinks down, and then onto the dance floor. He puts his hands on my waist and sway back and forth to the slow song, while I consider just how lucky I feel that this has turned out the way it has.

If it weren't for the lost bouncy ball, maybe this wouldn't be happening. We might have stayed friends and then drifted apart for some other reason, never finding our way back into one another's lives.

Whatever the reason, I'm glad that this is the way things have gone, and I'm looking forward to what the future holds.

Epilogue

ERICA

Six Months Later

I slipmy hand into Rupert's and flash him a smile as we make our way across campus and to the student union building.

"Are you sure you're ready to head back into the end-of-year ball committee meetings?" I ask.

He chuckles. "Are you kidding? I missed all of this bit last year, I'm looking forward to actually having a say in the decisions leading up to the ball."

"Ah, is there something you'd do differently?"

"Not paint an overly large arch," he says.

I laugh. "Can you complain about that too much when we did it together?"

"No, I suppose not. I have a lot to be grateful to that arch for. Though no trying to jump to it this year."

"Trust me, that's the last thing on my mind. If there is an arch this year, I'll be using a ladder like a sensible weasel."

"Mmm, I can see you saying that now, and choosing to do something different later."

"Potentially." I push open the door as we arrive at the building and we head inside. At least we're not going to have to do any physical prep today, it'll all be about choosing the theme and some of the other practical parts of planning the ball. I won't pretend to understand, and luckily, Robin didn't graduate last year so still has plenty of time to run the show. It'll be next year that they need replacing.

I pause outside the meeting room door, gaining a concerned look from Rupert in response.

"Are you all right?"

I nod and go onto my toes so I can kiss him. "Just wanted to do that before we go inside."

He chuckles. "I don't think anyone would care if you kiss me inside. It's not like Sami and D are going to be holding back."

"Maybe not, but I'd rather not kiss in front of everyone."

"Good point." He takes my hand in his. "Ready?"

I nod. It's going to be a few months until the ball, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of stuff that needs doing, and this year is going to be even more fun than it was last year.

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