Page 77 of My Secret Snowflake
A waiter passes and offers more appetizers. We each take a chicken satay stick and a napkin.
“Maybe you’re right that Melody thought I was too much of a nice guy. One of our last fights before we broke up was because I was upset she took the hotel bathrobe. She complained that I was such a straight arrow, that we can’t all be born with a silver spoon in our mouth. That hurt. But I said—what if the staff gets blamed? And it wasn’t like she couldn’t afford to buy it. It was an ugly fight, and we broke up soon after.”
How did I ever think Melody and I were meant to be?It’s so obvious now, with Iris, how it should be. Iris sees me so clearly.
“I definitely prefer the nice guy,” she says. “What attracted me to Patrick was his consideration and, to some degree, how open he was about his feelings. At least, I usually knew where I stood with him.”
My phone beeps.
Melody:I’m glad you’ve found someone.
My finger hovers over a reply. Do I write,We’re not dating?Or save my pride and let her believe I’ve found someone? Because maybe I have.
Me:Me too.
The opening notes ofThe Blue Danubewaltz fill the room as the violins call out to the responding cello.
I turn to Iris and hold out my hand. “May I have this dance?” Maybe it was best that Melody did leave.
Chapter twenty
Iris
“I’dbedelighted.”Itake Sebastian’s hand. His grip is warm and sure, and his lips have curved up in a smile.
If Melody had stayed, would he have danced the first dance with me? He didn’t look that upset, though, when Melody left.
We walk into the living room, where other couples are already swirling around the room. He pulls me into his arms, and I rest my hand on his shoulder, my arm on his.
And we’re off, sweeping across the floor. As he guides me around the door, around the other couples, I feel like I’m flying.
I grin at him, and he smiles back at me.
My dress swirls out as we twirl around the room, the hope and yearning of the violin chords filling my veins. Sebastian holds my hand firmly, and the warmth of his hand on my bare back is making my heart take flight. He smells of Ivory soap, and my mind skitters back to that desire to melt into his arms when we met. My dress flows between his legs as we dip to the music and turn again.
I step between his legs as we do the outside spin and our hips brush each other, our stomachs pressing against each other as we finish the turn. Shivery embers of fire light up inside me as my body brushes against his and then retreats in time to the music.
His hand splayed against my back presses firmly as he leads us around the room. Now it’s the deeper tones of the cellos calling out to the violins, seeking a response.
To avoid colliding into another couple, he pulls me tighter against him. My body arches against the hard wall of his chest, and I glance up at him. I can’t look away. His eyes darken. The air feels heavier. My heartbeat zips. I miss a step. Sebastian catches me, and we’re back on track. He holds my gaze as we swoop and spin again together.
Our bodies are communicating what we don’t yet want to say in words:I like you.
“What are you thinking?” he whispers, his head close to mine.
Not something I can share with you…yet.
“I love the waltz,” I say.
“I like dancing with you,” Sebastian says. “You’ve clearly danced it a lot. I’m looking forward to waltzing with you in your parents’ bar. How come it wasn’t part of your sister’s party?”
“My sister was worried she’d get nauseated with all the spinning,” I say. “She doesn’t like it as much as me.”
Lily and Rupert pass us, completely engrossed in each other. I smile fondly at them.
The music stops. We pull apart, but Sebastian still holds my hand. He releases it, reluctantly—I think—to clap.
His parents come over, and Sebastian introduces me to his dad, who looks like an older version of Sebastian.
