Meet Your Match

15. Playing It Cool

“Busy with work lately?” Janelle asked, leaning in the kitchen doorway.

“Yes, very,” Hermione said as she poured a glass of wine. It was actually true given that the recent romantic distractions in her life were causing her to take twice as long to get anything done.

“I suppose that’s why you haven’t been by the café in a while,” Shannon said, sounding slightly put out.

“I know, I’m sorry,” Hermione said guiltily. That was part of the reason, at least. She was also known for having a terrible poker face. “I’ll come by this week for sure.”

“Looking forward to it,” Shannon said with a genuine smile. Then, her eyes shifted to someone behind Hermione. “Hello, darling!” she said brightly.

Hermione turned and saw Malfoy over Janelle’s shoulder.

“Hello,” he said as Janelle turned to face him, too. Janelle murmured a quiet greeting as she hugged him quickly with one arm and bumped her cheek against his.

He stepped into the kitchen, and Hermione moved forward instinctively. She reached her arms out for his waist and froze. She suddenly realised that they were very, very stupid. Not once had they discussed how they would act in front of their friends. She’d been so focused on seeing him tonight, she’d completely forgotten where they would be. Malfoy seemed to have come to a similar conclusion and was holding his arms out in a nearly identical pose. 

Hermione moved forward quickly, and they gripped each other’s forearms in a very strange embrace that was half double handshake and half chest bump. Her forehead knocked into his chin as they both wavered on going in for a cheek kiss.

They broke apart, and Hermione’s face flamed as she was keenly aware of Shannon and Janelle watching the entire debacle.

“Drink?” Shannon asked him, a lilt of humour in her voice.

“Please,” Malfoy said, sounding slightly choked.

Hermione hid behind her wine glass as they moved away together.

“Draco’s looking well,” Janelle said lightly.

“Hm? Oh, yes, I suppose so,” Hermione said.

“That colour suits him.”

Hermione glanced quickly at his navy waistcoat and trousers. They had a light grey pinstripe, an exact match to the colour of his tie. She was sure there was a matching jacket hanging in the hall.

“Mm,” Hermione hummed noncommittally, tugging unconsciously at the chiffon around her neck. She couldn’t remember ever seeing Malfoy in a colour that didn’t suit him.

Janelle rolled her eyes and walked towards the sitting room shaking her head.

Hermione stared at the floor. Okay, clearly they should have discussed this, but since they hadn’t, the only option was to pretend like everything was normal. Well, as normal as things had ever been between them. She could do that. She could play it cool. She could make it through one night.

She raised her eyes just in time to see Malfoy tilt his head back and laugh at something Thomas had said. A distinct fluttering lightness spread through her stomach, and she was reminded of the note she’d received from Ginny yesterday.