Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(7)

Ah, finally! Emma, a cigarette between her lips, comes back to the terrace holding two glasses.

“What is it?”

“Well, orange juice. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

I start to drink but frown at the taste. “Are you sure?”

“Not really,” she replies with a malefic grin and a wink. Not reassuring! “Enjoy your life, babygirl!” She gives me another quick smooch on the cheek. “Oh! Look who’s here.”

I discreetly follow her stare.

“James,” I gape. “I’m not sure if I can do it.” My heart begins thundering nervously fast. I decide to drink half the glass at once.

“Of course you can. He likes you. You like him. It’s all good. Fred told me James came here only to be with you. C’mon, just talk to him and see.” She turns me around, pushing me toward him.

I’m speechless. I want to run far, far away from him. James’s wearing a slim white shirt, making his biceps even more prominent, tight jeans, and matching sneakers. He looks so cute! He gazes at me and smiles. I smile back, my cheeks flushing.

I reach out to Emma again. “Emma, please start talking to me so it looks like we’re engrossed in conversation. I think James is coming over here.”

“How old are you, babe? Seriously, you’re nearly eighteen, and yet you behave like a twelve-year-old.” She looks over my shoulder. “Hi, James.”

“Hi, Emma. Nice party!”

“Thanks. Petra wants to speak with you. She thinks you look very hot tonight.”

I can’t believe it! WTF, Emma? “Emma, stop.”

But James smiles, obviously flattered.

A hand on my shoulder, Emma leans over to whisper to me, “He’s all yours. Have fun.”

Oh God! I finish my drink and give her my empty glass before she leaves.

“I never thought you’d come,” he begins while moving closer to me, hands in pockets. “Honestly, I’m impressed.”

“I thought I’d never come either,” I reply, the nerves flowing through my veins.

“Is this your first party at Emma’s house?”

“Without my dad or her parents around, yes.”

“Damn. Why is your dad so overprotective?”

I laugh as I try to think of an answer. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s scared of what he can’t control.”

“Well,” he says, his eyes lost in mine, “if I had such a beautiful daughter, I might also be crazy-protective.” I smile, speechless, and lower my gaze. “Would you like to walk around the gardens?”

“That would be great.”

He offers me his hand. I gladly accept, and, walking hand in hand, we slip away from the party, the stares, and all the noise.

After strolling around for a couple of minutes, his words finally break our silence. “I heard you won't be joining the girls for their annual vacations…”

“Indeed. I’ve got an internship starting next month.”

“So it’s true? You’re really gonna work until you start Columbia?”

“Well, yes, as an intern, but it’s a paid job.”

His lips twitch into a smirk. “Of course, at Gatt-Dieren Capital, right?”

I frown at his tone. “Right...”

“Oh. That’s not work, then.”

“Why not?”

He chuckles. “Let’s be honest, your dad just got you this job to keep an eye on you.” I ponder his words as he slows down his pace. “You know, Emma and her friends have never worked with their parents. They know working with family only brings trouble.”

“Well, technically I’ll be working for him. But I’ll be part of a group with other interns, and we’ll have a supervising manager. Dad won’t be around.”

“Will your supervising manager know who you are?”

“You mean, will he know I’m Roy’s daughter?” He nods. “Hmm, I guess so… Should I fake my last name?”

“If you want him to treat you as an equal among your peers, yeah. Otherwise he’ll treat you differently.” He sniggers. “Just like a little princess.”

“You’re right. I don’t want that. I want to use this opportunity to get experience, start making my own money and career.”

“And here we go, Ms. Van Gatt sounding so annoyingly mature.” I giggle, shaking my head. “Seriously, though, don’t you ever think about having some fun?”

We stop walking. We are already a fair distance from the party, immersed in the vast garden, lit just with some mellow lights and the stars above.

“But I am having fun,” I reply, my voice soft.

He takes me in his arms and looks steadily in my eyes. “Last time we met, you left quite abruptly from the theater.” I smile, lost in his closeness. “If I remember correctly, we didn’t even have time for a kiss.” He gently moves some of the strands of hair covering my face, probably because of the breeze, and with his hands holding my cheeks, he slowly bends down to touch my lips, giving me a slow, tender kiss. I can’t help but blush—it’s the first time someone has kissed me on the mouth! I close my eyes, reveling in his touch and smell. My mind is bouncing in excitement. I kiss him back, longer this time. Then we embrace each other, my heart melting from our first kiss. I did it! We kissed!