Sarah looks beautiful, just as I knew she would, and she is standing with Connell at the stereo arguing which CD to play. She is openly flirting with him.
John and Siobhan are sitting together on the couch.
With sudden horror, I realize I am the only odd one out. I could not bear to think of the embarrassment if Jane and Aaron actually did get together tonight. Of course, I want Jane to be happy, but … I jump as I feel arms circling around me from behind and folding over my stomach. At the same time, a voice I only heard a few days ago for the first time, but would recognize anywhere, whispers in my ear, "I'm sorry."
Breathe.
He turns me around in his arms and smiling an innocent smile, he gently pulls me with him, while walking backward down the dark hall. He looks at me, searching my face, and I look down.
" You're an awful person," I whisper angrily.
" You don't really believe that, do you?"
" No, but I should," I answer, barely audible.
" Besides, Jane and Aaron carefully orchestrated you being here tonight, so you wouldn't want to disappoint them now by not forgiving me?"
Bending his head toward me, his lips touch mine softly. They taste like vanilla and chocolate ice cream.
Good strategy.
I move away from him. I do not want him to know that I want him to kiss me. I do not want him to know I have already lost my heart to him.
Would think you had more sense, Elizabeth!
Jane pushes past us, as she walks out of the kitchen. "Jared, your ice-cream is still on the kitchen counter, and the movie is about to start."
Gently he lets me go and says, "Hope you scare easily."
Taking me by my hand, he leads me into the lounge. There is only a single chair left and he sits down on it, pulling me down so that I am sitting on his lap.
" I could get so very used to this," he says softly in my ear, hugging me close.
The voice in my head cautions me to only enjoy the attention, but not to fall any deeper in love with him.
We watch a horror movie, and no, I do not scare easily. Jared loses interest halfway through the movie and starts tracing his fingers in circles on my back. I tuck closer into him, goose bumps once again betraying me. He rests his face in my hair and breathes deeply. I am so distracted I miss the plot of the movie completely and am relieved when the credits start to roll over the screen.