Overjoyed

Chapter 21 - Living beyond your years

Dan was sprawled out on the bed, watching me curl my hair. He had been done for the last twenty minutes while I lived up to the girl cliché of taking ages to get ready. Dan had on his signature grey hoodie and skinny jeans and I had chosen to go a little sexier in Courtney’s off the shoulder red dress and black heels. I gave a playful little twirl and Dan laughed, “You’re going to be the centre of attention tonight love” he said, pride lacing his voice. I walked over to him, now sitting on the edge of the bed, grabbed his face in my hands, and kissed him hard. “Hey,” he said when I pulled away, “we’re supposed to be getting out of here, not looking for reason to stay in.” I grinned down at him, the salacious twinkle in his eyes betraying him. “I suppose we could just stay in…” he began, “I’m a horrible dancer anyway.” Woody’s familiar voice boomed from the other side of the door, “Come on guys.” I looked at Dan and he shrugged and yelled, “Coming mate!” back at Woody. I grabbed my clutch as Dan opened the door. “Wow Eliza, you look stunning” Woody said with a genuine smile. I smiled back and thanked him, knowing Courtney would have revelled in that comment, having chosen the outfit. Woody led us back to their room and Dan looked at him quizzically. “I thought we were going out?” he asked. “Yeah but it’s only eight o’clock dude, we’re gonna have a drink first” Woody replied. 

A woman I’d never seen before was seated on the bed laughing with Will and Kyle. “Beautiful!” Kyle exclaimed when he saw me, “Eliza, this is my cousin Jess.” I smiled at Jess, and she smiled back, her pretty face lighting up and a deep dimple appearing in each cheek. She smoothed a strand of her bright red hair behind her ear and stood up, walking over to us. “Hi” she said and shook my hand before embracing Dan in a huge bear hug and kissing both his cheeks. ‘Gees they’re very friendly’ I thought to myself, feeling a pang of jealousy. I grabbed his hand protectively as she pulled away. “Are you Dan’s girlfriend?” she asked in a ridiculously cute Australian accent. Dan looked at me hopefully and I confidently said, “Yes.” Dan grinned at me, looking awfully happy with himself. I smiled back. “Right then! Let’s drink” said Will and we all had a laugh.

As the evening progressed, I learnt that Jess wasn’t that bad after all, she had a fiancé back home and she and Dan were just good friends. I was certain I visibly breathed a sigh of relief. At eleven the guys announced that we’d be heading to a club called Nirvana and we’d better finish our drinks. I had a few gins and had a slight buzz going. Dan slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me close as soon as we were in the hallway, kissing my temple.