Merry Christmas Darling

A Grand Entrance

"Where the hell are you Jenna?" Claire hissed into the phone as she scanned the room. "You should have been here an hour ago!"

"I'm sorry" Jenna said quietly from where she sat in her living room "I just can't face it. I've been there before and it never ends well. I'm just not the party type." She tried to sound upbeat but failed.

There was a murmuring on the other end of the phone, like someone had their hand over the mouthpiece, then a man's voice came on the line.
"Jenna? It's Luke. Where the hell are you? More to the point, why are you not HERE? I need you here, we need you here. This is the one night of the year we all get to let our hair down with no consequences. You're NOT missing out ok?" She could hear the music and the chat in the background and winced as she spoke.

"I'm sorry Luke, I just don't do parties."

"Jenna, you misunderstood me. That wasn't a question it was a statement. I want you here in thirty minutes, or else. Got it? I have some high profile, VERY high profile clients coming tonight and I want them to see us putting on a united front ok?" The tone of his voice, whilst not unpleasant -Luke could never be unpleasant- was firm. She realised there was no point in arguing further.

So that's why, forty five minutes later, Jenna was sitting in her new green dress and black high heels with the red soles, sipping champagne with Luke and Claire.

"Merry Christmas Jenna" Luke raised his glass as did Claire. Jenna smiled, despite her initial reservations, it seemed a nice club and very nice champagne.

"Merry Chris..." she stopped midsentence as she stared towards the door, mouth open in shock. Claire and Luke followed her gaze, wondering what could possibly have struck her dumb.

When they turned, Luke smiled and Claire giggled. A man stood in the doorway, a tall man in a midnight blue suit, white shirt open at the neck.  He had ginger blonde hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He was scanning the room and looked directly at the three of them. His face broke into a smile and he raised a hand in greeting.

"Luke!" He strode across and greeted Luke with a handshake that turned into a proper manhug. They broke the hug and the new arrival turned to Claire and Jenna with a charming smile.

"Claire isn't it? We met last year didnt we, how lovely to see you again. You well?" He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.

"Yes, yes I am thanks. Do excuse me" she smiled "I can see that some of our newer employees are in need of a little pointer to how much NOT to drink!" She laughed and nodded to Luke who agreed and she sauntered away with a knowing smile at Jenna.

Through all this, Jenna had stood mute and astonished. Now the handsome newcomer turned to her
"Talking of new employees, I don't think I've had the pleasure? Luke aren't you going to introduce me?"

Luke smiled and winked at him as if there was some kind of in-joke. 
"This is Jenna Martin my new financial Girl Friday.  Jenna, this is..."

"Tom" she breathed finally recovering the power of speech "Tom Hiddleston!"

"Very pleased to meet you Jenna" Tom smiled warmly, eyes twinkling and raised her hand to his lips. She felt herself buckle under his intense gaze, the softness of his lips on the back of her hand and the champagne going to her head. She must have paled as Tom raised an eyebrow and said gallantly

"Shall we sit?"  Turning, he guided her by the hand to a nearby booth, Luke at their back. She smiled and nodded shyly.

"Yes, yes please".

Luke and Tom chatted for a bit, then Luke decided he needed to make sure the troops were all enjoying themselves so left them alone to chat. 
For a moment Jenna stared intently at her glass and Tom seemed to be very interested in his watch. Awkward didn't come close.