Stage Fright

Chapter 65 ~ New Years

Josh

Finally it was New Year's eve, after what felt like an insane few months I was ready to step into the next year. I wanted to see what would come next.

I left Heather after I helped her set up this afternoon, I decorated with her and helped her party-proof her house. She and I brought everything breakable into spare bedrooms that she then locked from the outside. 

"I don't really want anyone hooking up in my house." She said as she locked the final door. I could see why, her upstairs must have had eight bedrooms, that's a lot of dirty sheets to wash. Her dad got a hotel room for the night in the city, claiming he didn't want to be near whatever would happen in his house. Eleanor was going to stay in the guest house out back.

She pushed all of the couches back in the living rooms making large empty spaces for mingling. She had a catering company coming to do the food and she set up tables along the walls to get ready for them. 

She was a pretty decent party planner, seemed to have every box ticked, and had a complete plan set in place. 

She put up a sign on her own door that said not to enter and she triple checked the lock on her father's bedroom door. Another fortunate feature was that because her family had been on vacation, the fridges were almost empty. The stars had aligned perfectly for this night.

I went home after she was sure everything was ready to go, she said a few of her friends were coming over early to get ready with her so I wanted to make sure she got her space. Plus I had to put on my suit so this way worked out better for everyone.

Now I was headed back, she asked a few people to come earlier, just to stagger everyone's arrival. Driving up to her house she has all of the outdoor lights on as well as a large banner up across the front railing that said 'Happy New Year'. I get out of the car and hurry to the door.

It opens and I nearly faint at the dress Heather has on. This is probably on the top five list of sexiest things I've seen her wear. The hem stops above mid-thigh, with thin spaghetti straps. They lead into the thin string that tied up the back of the dress. The neckline was cut straight, just below her collarbones, just low enough I could see the faint line where her cleavage started. The dress itself was a light pink satin material, and she wore it with a good pair of heels.

My girlfriend was drop-dead gorgeous, she was glowing tonight and I could see it. Her make up was flawlessly applied and her hair done nicely. But my favourite part was seeing her wear the bracelet and earrings I gave her, and her matching necklace.

"Hi baby." She says, reaching out for my hands and I step in with what I'm sure is a blank look on my face. "I think you dropped something." She whispers and I furrow my eyebrows.

"What?"

"Your jaw." She teases and I snap out of it, putting my hands on her waist.

"Well what ever you do, don't bend down to get it." I tease, feeling my fingertips meet the bare skin on her back. "Not in that."

"I thought you'd like it." She says and I nod, giving her a quick kiss. "You look fantastic." She whispers, running her hands up the front of my chest. "No tie." She adds quietly, playing with my shirt collar, fingertips grazing my chest.

"No tie." I repeat. "Going for that whole raw sex-appeal thing." I tease and she laughs, rolling her eyes.

"Okay hot-shot." She sighs. "The food is all set up, the drinks are in the fridge, I have the photo-booth ready and enough confetti poppers for two New Year's parties."

"Sounds like a great party." I say and she presses her lips together. 

"Will you help me go around and turn out the lights? I'll turn on the party ones afterwards." She asks and I nod, walking around and finding light-switches . She goes around and plugs in Christmas lights and revolving rainbow dance lights. She turns off the harsh lights in the kitchen and she sets up her speaker system.