Page 14 of The Wedding Game

‘For yourbingogrid?’ Josh asks, but the smile doesn’t leave his face. ‘Bingo? Are you secretly ninety years old?’ he teases as Scarlet launches into a slightly slurry explanation of our game. He watches her with narrowed eyes as she explains our challenges, and then his gaze lands back on me. Josh sips his Guinness thoughtfully as, around us, people start drifting back inside the house or off to lean on the terrace balustrade as the fireworks draw to a close.

‘And how close are you to winning this bingo game?’ he asks.

‘One square left, so quite close,’ I say in fast, clipped tones as my mortification deepens. He just needs to go now.Off you go, Josh. Walk away.

He stays put, sips his Guinness thoughtfully. ‘OK then,’ he says.

‘What?’ I ask.

‘I said OK. If you need to kiss me to win, I offer myself as tribute,’ he jokes.

Scarlet’s eyes swivel back and forth between Josh and me as if she can’t believe it.Ican’t believe it.

‘No, thanks,’ I reply. Minutes ago I was on the verge of saying yes to Chris – of getting on a plane with Chris, who I really, really liked. I’m not about tokiss Josh.

‘No, thanks?’ he asks in disbelief. ‘You don’t want to win? You don’t want to kiss me?’

I can’t even speak over the rush of blood that’s entered my head. I laugh because this is ridiculous.

‘Let me get this straight. You’ve got one square left to tick off and it’s kissing me. And your friend’s got one square left to tick off and it’s getting a waiter’s number.’

Scarlet nods, eyes still wide, disbelieving smile even wider. Josh turns to her. ‘So if you run into that kitchen right now and grab a waiter’s number, what do you win?’

‘Shoes,’ she immediately replies. Her eyes slide towards me triumphantly, as if she’s already won. ‘Really expensive shoes.’

‘And if you kiss me,’ Josh turns to me, ‘you win …?’

‘A spa day. And not having to buy her the expensive shoes. But I’m not going to—’

Scarlet cuts me off, turns to me. ‘I’m going to do it,’ she tells me. ‘I’m going into the kitchen to get his number. I’m going to win.’

‘Don’t you dare move,’ I hiss.

‘Too late,’ she says, backing away. ‘I’m about to win. You’re about to lose.’ She makes the L sign with her finger and thumb and holds it against her forehead as if we’re teenagers. She looks at Josh, thanks him for the suggestion and makes a dash for it.

I stare at Josh. ‘What did you just do?’

He laughs. ‘I cleared the path for you to win. But I don’t think you’ve got long. Seconds at best. Isn’t it about who wins? Who gets the square marked off first? Isn’t that how bingo works?’

‘You’re joking surely?’

He shakes his head slowly. The smile is still on his face. He’s enjoying this.

‘We could simplysayI kissed you,’ I suggest.

‘You want me toliefor you? I’m not doing that. I’ve only just met you.’ His smile widens.

I think I’m smiling too. What is happening?

I down the rest of my warm champagne, step forward.I’m going to do this. I’m going to win.

‘Fuck it!’ Goodbye dignity, hello spa day. I tip my head up towards Josh and he leans into me; his smile wavers until he’s not smiling any more. Instead his expression is one of surprise.

‘Bloody hell,’ he murmurs, ‘Are you actually going to kiss me?’

And then he can’t say anything because my mouth is on his and I find myself pressing against him. His chest is hard, and his hand that’s not holding a pint of Guinness finds its way onto my back, pulling me towards him gently. His eyes close as our tongues meet, and I can’t stop myself kissing him softly and then harder. I can taste cold Guinness on his tongue and it’s kind of sexy, as is the way he kisses me back – once he’s realised this is actually happening – stroking my tongue with his. I hear someone cough as they enter the terrace and, as if I’m only vaguely aware that we’re making out in a public place, I break away first and look at Josh with a stunned expression. He looks at me, equally stunned in return. That was hot. We both know it.

I touch my lips. Neither of us speaks, but I’m still so close to him. Josh looks like he wants to kiss me again. I think I want him to. And then Scarlet appears at our side, wailing, ‘I can’t find him! I think his shift’s ended and he’s gone home.’

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