Whenshe reached the bottom of the stairs, she stood on the side ofDavisoppositeParker.Elisehad talked with them earlier about this dinner and dance, and how she and her team had worked hard to make it a night that the people at the resort would enjoy.Theyall knew to head over to the ballroom, so as soon as the last person came down the stairs, the twelve of them went outside to find four golf carts in a row, waiting for them.
SheandDavisweren’t dating, though, and she didn’t want him to get the impression that this was a date.Joywas walking next to her, so she linked arms with her new friend and they chatted as they walked to one of the carts, and both sat in the back seat.Anotherguy,Thomas, who she had seenJoyflirting with earlier, came and sat in the front seat next to the driver.Perfect.
Kellihadn’t seen much of the resort yet, but it was magical at night.GoldenChristmaslights had been strung all over the grounds, across buildings, wound up palm trees, and lighting the pathways.Thisplace was heaven.
Andshe was so grateful for the golf carts.Itwouldn’t have been a bad walk in regular shoes, but in four-inch heels when you wanted to dance the night away, not so much.
Theirline of golf carts pulled up to a building, and before she knew it,Daviswas at her side, offering her a hand out of the cart.Shegave him a nod of thanks, took his hand, and stepped out of the cart.Shedidn’t keep hold of his hand, though.Shemight be willing to dip a toe in the dating pool, but that was about it.
Theballroom was massive and had round tables in a half circle around the outside of the room.Inone corner, three of the tallestChristmastrees she had ever seen were next to each other, each decorated with a different color scheme.Onein silvers and blues, one in reds and greens, and one in golds.Garlandsran all along the room, all of which were decorated, and each table’s centerpiece was practically a work of art.
Whenshe imagined tonight as she was getting ready, she had been thinking about who she wanted to sit by and how she could maneuver things so that she wouldn’t be nearParker.Sheknew that getting close to him was dangerous, and she had felt herself slipping when they’d been on the beach.Especiallywhen he had been looking at the scene he had drawn in the sand that showed him with his little brother.Butnow?Withhim in that suit?Nowwould be particularly dangerous to be around him.
Figuringout how to get everyone to sit where she had imagined had been futile, though, because the hostess directed them to two tables, and each one had their name at a specific place.Shefound hers and sat down, andDavissat to her right.Andthen, a moment later,Parkersat at her left.
Itwas fine.
Shecould pretend she had blinders.
Blinders, and amazing food.Theyhadn’t been seated for long before the waiter brought in cinnamon-spiced sweet potato soup with maple croutons, which not only was an explosion of tasty goodness in her mouth but made her whole body rejoice at whatever was in it.Shechatted with everyone at the table, and if she ever caught her mind wandering toParker, she just took another bite.
Andthen the waiter brought in the main course—roasted pork loin with herb stuffing;Italianroasted cremini mushrooms, cauliflower, and tomatoes; and the softest, fluffiest rosemary dinner rolls thatKellihad ever tasted.Theentire meal was so full of flavor and texture that she couldn’t have asked for a better distraction.Shecut each item into the perfect bite-sized pieces.
Shespeared a grape tomato and cut it in half, then attempted to spear one of the mushrooms to do the same.Butsomehow the fork slipped and, in a move she couldn’t duplicate if she was paid to, she managed to send it airborne instead, and it landed with a plop inParker’swater goblet.
Severalpeople at the table saw and let out an audible gasp and then restrained chuckles.Thepeople who hadn’t seen,Davisincluded, turned to see what had caused everyone’s reaction.
Parkerjust lifted his glass and considered it. “I’vehad restaurants put lemons, limes, oranges, cucumbers, and even strawberries in my water before.Thisis the first timeI’vehad a mushroom.”Andthen he took a drink.
Withas hot as her face and ears felt, she knew her cheeks were as red as her dress.
“Ididn’t get a mushroom in mine,”Davissaid, clearly not understanding what had just happened.
“Ibet if you askedKellinicely, she could help you out with that.”
Kelliclosed her eyes, trying to make the embarrassment go away.Shedid everything right and planned precisely so that embarrassing things didn’t happen.Yetthey always seemed to happen aroundParkerno matter how hard she tried.
Shespeared a perfectly-cut piece of the stuffed pork and made herself focus on the bite by trying to pick out what spices were used.Wasthat cardamom?AndmaybeJuniper?Shewould keep trying to figure it out for as long as it took for her face to get back to a normal temperature.
Whenthe waiter removed their dinner plates, she exhaled in relief because maybe she could get to the dancing and away fromParker.Butthen the waiter set dessert in front of each of them—a plate of vanilla bean clafoutis with raspberries and nectarines.Ittasted amazing, but she only had three bites before she declared herself full and set down her fork.
Aman’s voice came over the sound system, andKelli’sattention turned to the man at the microphone who introduced himself asChristian, the dance instructor at the resort.
“Wehave a little custom here for theTinselandTidingsBall.Welike to start the first dance with our guests who have come in this week for dance lessons.They’llbe showcasing theVienneseWaltz, and once they’re done, we’d like to welcome you all to join us on the floor for an evening of dancing!”
Asthey watched the guests waltz,Davisleaned in her direction and said in a quiet voice, “Prettyimpressive for only a week of dance lessons, don’t you think?”
Kellinodded.Shehad taken years of dance lessons, but never any ballroom.Shecould hold her own at a dance, but she always wished she knew how to ballroom dance.
Themoment the song was over,Davisturned toward her, palm held upright, and said, “Wouldyou like to dance?” like it was a race and he had to rush out of the gate.
“Iwould love to.”Shetook his hand, stood, and let him lead her to the dance floor.Shedidn’t even turn enough to glimpseParker’sface.Shewas staying so strong she should get an award.Plus,Davishadn’t witnessed all the embarrassing things she’d done—not just tonight but on this whole trip—so it felt nice to head to the dance floor with him.
Asthey danced, it was clear thatDaviswas getting his flirt on, too.Itmade her feel pretty.Theyweren’t doing theVienneseWaltz, exactly, but dancing withDaviswas easy.Nice.
Moreand more couples came onto the dance floor, and as they turned and moved around the floor, she saw some she recognized.JoyandThomaswere dancing, and it madeKellismile.Thetwo looked adorable together, and she hoped they might decide to start dating before the trip was over.TheysawMeritandElise, too, andKellionce again felt that pang of longing for a relationship like theirs.Theyjust looked so happy and radiant.
Andthen she sawParkerdancing withAddison, and she didn’t care if she was supposed to letDavislead—she turned them so that she wouldn’t be seeing him.Shedidn’t know why it was bothering her.Itshouldn’t.SheandParkerknew they wouldn’t work out.Andeven if she was wrong and things had changed over the past two-and-a-half years—which was a possibility—she knewshewouldn’t work out with anyone right now.Shewas too vulnerable and needed to be cautious.
