Page 24 of Falling for You
‘What if it breaks?’
‘Free special effects.’
‘Of course.’
We drift into silence and I continue to sip my champagne.Tanya swans over a moment later, her dark skin sparkling as it catches the light of the giant chandelier.
‘Hey, guys,’ she says, swiping a champagne flute as it sails past. ‘What do you think? Are you having fun?’
Penny nods politely. ‘Yeah, it’s great.’
Tanya raises her eyebrows. ‘Honestly? I didn’t organise this event, remember, they’re just my client. Real feedback is helpful.’
‘It’s really boring,’ I say flatly. ‘Nobody is dancing! Everyone is just standing around looking perfect.’
Tanya looks over her shoulder and nods, chewing her lip. ‘That’s just what the client was saying.’
‘It’s not your event though, right?’ Penny says. ‘So not your problem to fix?’
‘No …’ Tanya says slowly, still peering around at the grand ballroom. ‘But if I do fix it then they’ll love me forever and let’s be honest, Christmas is round the corner and I’d love a bonus. Okay,’ she turns back to face us, ‘if I get them to play a good song, will you dance?’
‘Only if it’s a good Halloween song,’ I say. ‘I’m not getting my bat out for anyone.’
I pause. ‘Not a euphemism,’ I add into my champagne flute, concerned that Tanya may expect me to flash my vagina as soon as I hear the opening bars to ‘Thriller’.
Tanya nods. ‘Got it.’
‘Oh!’ Penny squeals, grabbing my arm. ‘Annie should open her wings, too! That’ll get people onto the floor!’
‘Really?’ I mumble.
‘Great idea,’ Tanya says, spotting the DJ. ‘Okay, I’ll be right back.’
‘Meet you on the dance floor!’ Penny calls after her. ‘Come on,’ she adds to me, plucking another two champagne flutes. ‘Get this down you.’
Five minutes later, as I’m gurgling down the dregs of my champagne, ‘Bump in the Night’ by Allstars starts to pump through the speakers. I grin and Penny whacks my arm.
God, I’m amazed that the DJ evenhadthis song.
‘That’s our cue!’ she giggles. ‘Let’s go!’
She hurtles towards the dance floor and I scurry after her. This is our favourite Halloween song. I mean, yes, you have ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Monster Mash’, but really, everyone knows that this is the best one.
We start to dance, and as the chorus beats around the room, other people sashay around us. Penny’s blonde hair swings around her as she shakes her head, singing along loudly. One by one, people throw their arms in the air and shake their hips, chanting along to the chorus. Penny takes my hand and spins me in a circle and I laugh, the warm champagne bubbles popping in the pit of my stomach.
‘It’s working!’ Tanya cries, bouncing up next to us. ‘Penny, this was a great idea, you genius.’
Penny flicks her hair and gives Tanya a wink as she joins us.
‘Come on,’ Penny nudges me. ‘You need to do your wings!’
I glance around, suddenly feeling a bit nervous.
‘Yes!’ Tanya cries, spotting my expression. ‘You need to do it, they’re incredible, Annie!’
‘Is it not a bit much, for here?’ I say, looking at the girlnext to me who is dressed as a dog (I mean, come on. What’s scary aboutthat?).
‘No, it’s perfect,’ Tanya says defiantly. ‘Go on, Annie. Do it!’
