Page 23 of Made Up for Love
“Here, drink this.” Jacinta pressed a glass of Prosecco into her hand.
Lydia downed it in one go. “You’re a lifesaver.” She reached for the three-quarters full glass that her friend held and sank that too. “Even more so now.”
“Are you okay?”
“If one more person asks me why my boyfriend isn’t here, I swear, I’m going to have to accidentally punch them.” Lydia inserted air quotes around “accidentally”.
“Probably best you don’t. I imagine no-one wants to be in A&E on Christmas Eve, me included. Besides which, I’m here now.”
The familiar voice behind her caused Lydia to spin around with such force, the alcohol she’d downed making her feel dizzy.
Standing in front of her, dressed in a pair of smart grey trousers and a contrasting grey shirt, was Joel. She blinked, then pinched herself to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating. He was carrying a huge bouquet, consisting of poinsettia, green ivy, red Christmas roses, white freesia and snowy chrysanthemums.
“What…what are you doing here?”
“Well, your parents’ party was pretty much one of the things you wouldn’t stop going on about, so I knew it was today. And with a little help from someone.” He glanced over at Jacinta, who gave them both a little wave. “I found out where it was going to be and thought I’d surprise you.” He stepped closer, holding out the flowers to her.
“I’m definitely surprised.” She brought the bouquet to her nose and breathed in their scent.
Jacinta slipped away, leaving them alone.
“I wanted to apologise for being an idiot. I acted badly yesterday when we got home, and it was nothing to do with you,” he explained. “I suspect that Sophia had deliberately booked us seats apart, then I got pulled into some work nonsense, which made me really cross and I stupidly took it out on you.” He hung his head. “I’m sorry.”
Lydia let out a breath. It hadn’t been anything to do with her, at all. “I can’t believe you came here to see me.”
“I had to. I couldn’t let you go just like that, believe me.” He reached for her hand. “I want to take you out properly, where we’re not wearing yesterday’s clothes and aren’t surrounded by elderly tourists and hotel staff, watching our every move. In fact, will you come out with me on New Year’s Eve?”
Despite the fact she wanted to shout out ‘yes, yes, yes!’ in full hearing of everyone at the party, Lydia wanted to make Joel sweat. She tilted her head to one side. “Why would I want to do that?”
His handsome features, that had been so full of hope and enthusiasm when he’d first arrived, dropped. He fidgeted, shuffling from foot to foot as he tried to come up with a response. “I thought we had a good time in Scotland? And that we were going to see each other again?”
“We did, and we were, but…” It was no good, she couldn’t hold out on him any longer. “How can I refuse?” Lydia stared up at him, those blue eyes turning her to mush. “I’d love to.”
His mouth curved into a smile before he leaned down and met her lips with the softest, most tender kiss she’d ever experienced.
“Merry Christmas, Lydia.”
“Merry Christmas, Joel.”
Epilogue
NEW YEAR’S EVE
The New Year’s Eve party at the rugby club was in full swing when Joel and Lydia arrived.
As Joel went around introducing Lydia to his friends, he reflected on how he’d felt twelve months ago. Back then, he’d been depressed, or drunk, or both. Zara’s actions had ruined him, and he hadn’t realised quite how much until he’d met Lydia. Now, he was looking forward to the future and enjoying the company of a beautiful woman. Since the party, they’d spent Christmas Day apart, but had been together ever since, taking the time to get to know each other better. There had even been a trip to the Boxing Day sales where they chose some more appropriate lingerie for Lydia for the next stage of their relationship.
The story of how they met was already becoming something of a legend, and each of them were being asked to tell it over and over again.
They slipped away to a quiet corner, to take some time to themselves just before the clock struck midnight.
“We should make a leaflet or video about it and just hand it out whenever anyone asks.” Lydia laughed.
Joel hugged her close to his side. “That does rather take away the romantic element though.”
“Ah, but ‘Santa in a Sharp Suit’ does have a ring to it.”
He looked down at her. “Is that what I was?”
