Page 38 of A Game-Changing Christmas

Allison and Lance turned to see who’d called out.

“Ah! We meet again!”

It was Octavia Rose, and next to her with his hand linked to Octavia’s, Jonathon Alexander Rose.

Allison’s face lit up. “Oh, Octavia, right?”

“Yeah.”

The two walked toward each other while dragging their husbands to meet in the middle. Octavia’s curly afro bounced as she moved, and her cinnamon brown skin was unblemished, looking smooth to the touch. Her full lips spread into a smile.

“Have you ever met my fiancé Lance Valentine,” Allison introduced.

“I haven’t, but I’ve heard a lot about him,” Octavia oozed. The awkwardness of her sentence touched all four of them, and to quickly explain, Octavia said, “I mean on TV and in the news.” Octavia cleared her throat. “You’re directing that movie, Midnight on the Alps, right?”

“Yes, ma’am, that is correct,” his baritone voice strummed.

Lance eyed Jonathon whose facial expression was impenetrable and looking off into the distance.

“Well, this is my husband, Jonathon.” Octavia glanced at Jonathon. “Baby, this is one of the ladies I met at Rumi’s earlier this week. We were both their when Camilla and Claudia hauled off and left us in a break for the hospital.”

“Good afternoon, Allison, how are you?” Jonathon’s voice drummed, looking down at her.

“I’m good, thanks for asking.”

Their space got quiet, and Octavia cleared her throat and widened her eyes at Jonathon. He eyed her firmly then flipped his gaze over to Lance.

“Lance,” was all he said.

“Jonathon,” Lance returned.

The space became quiet again, and Allison squeezed Lance’s hand.

“So,” Octavia said, “when’s the wedding?”

“Christmas.” Allison’s eyes twinkled as she dragged out the word.

“How romantic,” Octavia responded. “Jonathon and I got married on Thanksgiving last year.”

Allison’s eyes widened. “We’ve got something in common then! Holiday-themed weddings!”

The two laughed, and their men remained quiet, still linked hand in hand with them as they spoke.

“You two should come to our wedding!” Allison blurted. “We’d love to have you.”

Octavia’s mouth opened. “Really, are you sure?”

“Of course, I’m sure, right babe?” Allison glanced up at Lance.

“Yes.” Lance smiled over at Octavia, but it faded as he glanced at Jonathon. “We would love to have you.”

The straight-laced stares between the two didn’t go over Allison and Octavia.

“Great,” Octavia said. “We’re headed to pick up a bite to eat if you both would like to join.”

“Will you excuse us for a minute,” Jonathon said, tugging Octavia to the side.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart,” she asked, looking at him innocently like this wasn’t a coup.

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