The Christmas Ball

by Lily Seabrooke

  Lisette sighed. “What do you even want me to do with you, Seth?”

  “Let me take you on a date,” he said. “There’s a restaurant I think you will be delighted with.”

  “Do you know—” I started, but Lisette said,

  “Fine.”

  “What?” I rounded on her, my heart dropping.

  Seth’s face lit up. “I knew you would understand, Lisette, mi amor—your heart is as beautiful as you are.”

  “Lisette—” I started, but she reached back and squeezed my hand.

  “When and where?” she said.

  “Tomorrow at six. Meet me out front. I look forward to it, mi amor.”

  He took her by the hand, and when he lifted it for a kiss, I was about ready to throw him face-first into the snow. Thank god Lisette pulled back away before he did. He recovered smoothly, blowing her a kiss instead, and turning on his heel back towards the door.

  “What was that?” I demanded. She sighed.

  “I don’t want to… I’m afraid he’s…”

  “Afraid what?” I wasn’t meaning to yell, but—I mean, my girlfriend had just agreed to a date with my sleazy cousin. And right in front of me, too.

  She slumped. “I’m afraid if I don’t then he’ll think you and I…”

  I opened my mouth, took a breath and closed it. “I—you should discuss things like that with me first.”

  “I don’t like it, but this is something I have to do.” She gave me a pitiful look. “Have some sympathy for me. I’m the one about to go put up with him.”

  “Lisette—”

  “Don’t fight.”

  I felt shaken out of every thought on my mind, and I looked down to where Sophie was looking up at me with wide eyes, along with, I realized, every other one of the kids. Sophie blinked her big green eyes and said,

  “Are you fighting?”

  I pursed my lips, sighed, and knelt down to Sophie’s level. “We’re having a little disagreement. Don’t worry about it.”

  Sophie shook her head. “You shouldn’t fight.”

  I looked up at Lisette, who looked away. “Right,” I said. “We shouldn’t. Sorry.”

  Still, that just meant I was going to give her a stern talking-to later instead. When the kids weren’t looking.

  Chapter 12

  Lisette

  “I’m trying to keep things secret,” I sighed, dropping down into the bed. “I thought you’d understand. Do you want your tuition on the line?”

  Alice sat down next to me. I couldn’t stand the sour expression on her face. I felt guilty throbs in my chest and I wished, really wished I could just kiss it away but I was in the wrong place with her for that. “I do. I mean, I do understand. I shouldn’t be mad.”

  “But you are.”

  She sighed. “I’m not… I just don’t want to think of you alone with him.”

  “I’ll be fine. I don’t like thinking of it, either, but… he keeps getting more and more upset over how close I am with you. I won’t be surprised if he starts to suspect…”

  “So what are you going to do? Pretend to fall in love with him?”

  I cringed. “I don’t think I could do that if I tried to. I don’t know. I’m thinking. Maybe I should… tell him in confidence I like some guy back at my school or something. Maybe that will convince him why I haven’t been interested in him.”

  Alice leaned onto me, taking one of my hands in hers. “You know that guy doesn’t respect boundaries. I’m worried he’s going to… you know. Try taking his stupid shot anyway.”

  “I’ll be okay, Alice. Just trust me. It’s going to be this one and then I’ll get him out of my hair.”

  She sighed. “I hope so. I really hope so.”

  I looked over, and she reached up, brushed my hair from my face, and laughed softly.

  “God, you’re so pretty. Have I mentioned how much I love your eyelashes?”

  My hand found her knee, squeezed her softly. “I don’t think you’ve said that one before.”

  “That’s a mistake.” She leaned in, kissed me softly on the lips, holding me there until I felt all the tension melt away inside me. Her hands on my hips, leaning me slowly down onto my side, falling with me until we were face-to-face on the pillow. “God, I’m going to be so jealous knowing he’s taking you on a date.”

  “I’ll see if it’s a good restaurant, and if it is, I’ll take you.”

  She pecked me on the lips. “You’d better. Although I think any restaurant is good if you’re in it with me.”

  I ran my hand over her side, trailing little circles on her thigh, and she shivered, but I could tell neither of us were up to sex. I felt like all I wanted was to fall asleep looking into her eyes.

  Apparently, she had the same idea in mind, because that was exactly what we did.

  ∞∞∞

  I deliberately wore the worst outfit I could, an athletic t-shirt with old faded jeans and a ratty jacket, out to where Seth was waiting in his car. The fact that he was wearing a tuxedo almost made me laugh, but I maintained my composure as I got into the car with him.

  “Well,” he said. “Maybe I overdressed. You know, this is a high-class restaurant, mi amor, you shouldn’t do your incredible looks such a disservice.”

  “I’m on my period and couldn’t be bothered wearing anything nice.”

  He paled, and turned back to the wheel without a word. I managed to keep a straight face. My period had been earlier in the week—almost synced up with Alice’s, actually, and we’d taken good care of each other with chocolate and hot water bottles—but he didn’t need to know that. Anything to make me less appealing.

  He talked the whole time about things that were, I’m sure, pleasant enough, but I was only half-listening. He mentioned plenty about his travels, and asked at one point what sort of travels I’d had.

  “I’ve never left the country,” I said. “I don’t usually like even traveling out of the front door.”

  To my disappointment, he laughed. “You’re a homebody, are you, Lisette? I think that’s beautiful in a woman.”

  “I’m not the type to clean house and cook dinner for my beloved husband, if that’s what you’re thinking of.”

  Ugh. Even saying beloved husband felt gross. I wanted to rinse out my mouth.

  “Whatever type you say you are, I think it is magnificent.”

  Ugh. Gag me with a spoon. I maintained my stoic expression, same as always.

  We pulled up to the restaurant, and sure enough, I was underdressed for it. This was perfect.

  We headed inside, Seth checking in our reservation, and we were led to a table in the corner, by a fireplace and under a huge abstract painting. It was all dark and red, candles and everything, so romantic all I could think about was what it would be like if Alice were sitting across from me.

  We got halfway through a meal that was good, but with Seth’s conversation strained and mine nonexistent, it was painfully bad. Which was exactly what I wanted, but still, I just wanted to bail.

  “So,” he finally said with more finality to his voice, “you and Alice are very good friends, aren’t you?”

  I straightened my back. “Yes. I shared a secret with her and she was very receptive to it.”

  He gave me a pointed smile, and I could already tell what he was thinking. And he was right, but I wasn’t about to let him think that. “And what is that?”

  I laughed. “You think just because I brought up a secret means I’m obligated to tell you?” I shook my head. “But I will. That’s why I agreed to this. You do know how to keep a secret, right?”

  “For you, Lisette, of course.”

  I nodded. “I’m actually already seeing someone… back at my university. But I know my parents wouldn’t like him, so I haven’t gotten around to telling them.”

  I watched the emotions cycle over his face—confusion, disappointment, anger and then, worst of all, a sort of resolve. “Now, why would you be uncomfortable telling them about him? What could
be so wrong with him?”

  I folded my hands in my lap. In an instant, Alice’s warnings that he might still try taking his stupid shot—

  “Well, he doesn’t have a steady job,” I said. “He’s trying to break through as a musician, but it’s been rough.”

  “Ah, is that so? A down-on-his-luck scoundrel with a guitar, picking up a woman like you to lean on?”

  I glowered. “Seth, he’s not a hobo.”

  “What difference is there? People like that, especially when you’re from a family of means, Lisette, you know they’re just waiting to take advantage of you.”

  “Seriously? You don’t even know him.”

  “What’s his name?”

  I blanked. “Roger.”

  “And this Roger, when did you meet him?”

  I shook my head. “Seth, I don’t know why you’re grilling me about him like this. I thought I could trust you with this.”

  “Lisette—my dear Lisette—you have to understand I’m doing this out of concern. I don’t want to see you end up with someone who will only take advantage of you, someone who sees you for your money. I see you for so much more.”

  I cringed. “Seth, I’m not available. I’m telling you this because I didn’t want to lead you on.”

  He laughed softly. “Don’t fret, my dear. I only like a game with a chase.”

  “A game? Seth, I—I’m not a game.”

  “What is love, if not a game?” He leaned in closer and I leaned further back. “The grandest game of all humankind. And Lisette—mi amor—I want to play it with you.”

  “Well, stop.” I folded my arms. “I told you, I have someone I’m seeing.”

  “Someone you’re wasting yourself on. For your own good, Lisette, I have to step in.”

  “You don’t. Leave me alone. I’m an adult. I know how to handle dating people myself, okay?”

  He smiled widely. “Ah, and your true self comes out. I like seeing you get a little feisty, my dear Lisette.”

  “Seth, listen to me.” My true self was coming out. He just didn’t want to see it. “I am not getting a little feisty. I am telling you clearly to your face I am not available. Not for your stupid games. Leave me alone.”

  He chuckled. “Lisette, my dear—it’s unladylike to cause a scene like this, you know. People are—”

  “A scene!” I stood up, pushing the chair back. Sure enough, people were sure goddamn looking. “That wasn’t a little feisty and causing a scene. You want causing a scene?”

  “Now, Lisette, my dear, simmer down and let your emotions—”

  I dashed my drink on him.

  He gasped so hard he choked, going suddenly rigid, and I spun on my heel and marched the hell out of there. Out the front door, back out into the snow, pulling my jacket tight.

  And once I stepped outside, shutting the door behind me, I kicked a snowbank, sending dry powdery snow everywhere.

  He’d deserved that.

  Ugh. Underdressing didn’t seem like such a cute idea now. Especially since I wasn’t getting a ride back.

  I didn’t care about getting back for right now, though. I just had to make sure Seth wouldn’t find me once he actually got out of there. I was so angry my hands were shaking as I stormed off into another cluster of buildings, stopping inside a department store just to get out of the cold.

  Dammit. Alice had been right. Seth really was a colossal douchebag.

  Chapter 13

  Alice

  I was with the kids, struggling by myself to manage so many separate games of Candy Land I felt like a casino operator, when Henry showed up. He leaned in through the doorway with two steaming-hot mugs and smiled at me.

  “Alice, I was wondering if I could get a second with you.”

  “Henry—great,” I said. “Yes. Plenty of seconds with me. Help me out.”

  He looked around at the mess of kids all trying to figure out the game, from four-year-olds dropping their play pieces on the floor and staring at them to Troy, who I knew was cheating, and, like, who the hell cheats at Candy Land? “I was hoping for a private conversation.”

  “Well, that hope’s dead in the water. Maybe after playtime.”

  He laughed, shook his head and walked over to join me, offering me a mug of cocoa. “Here. Lisette told me cocoa helps calm you down. So… moderating Candy Land?”

  I took a long drink of the cocoa. “Yeah. Thanks, Henry.”

  We got it handled pretty well. The kids, who had been loudly complaining they wanted Lisette, took well enough to Henry too, and the games all went smoothly. We never caught Troy, but he ended up losing anyway, so I think that went just fine.

  All in all, once game time was over and the kids had rejoined their parents, I felt like I could breathe again. Somehow I’d almost finished the entire mug of cocoa. I sank back into the sofa laughing.

  “I owe you one, Henry. So, private conversation?”

  “Very secret stuff. Would you mind joining me on the patio? I don’t want to be overheard, you know.”

  I raised an eyebrow, but I dragged myself up off the sofa. “Lead the way, boss.”

  The air was colder than usual once we got outside. There was a faint wind blowing swirls of snow up through the air, and I leaned back against the wall of the house, holding my cocoa close to my face.

  “So,” Henry said, standing a little uneasily. “Just to make sure, everything we say here is a secret, right?”

  “Of course. Cross my heart and hope to die. Trust me, I never reveal a secret.”

  He smiled weirdly. “So… how’d you do it?”

  I didn’t like that. “How’d I do what?”

  “Open up Lisette like you did.”

  I gulped. “I don’t know. We just hit it off well. I mean, we got along well ten years ago, and things have just felt natural between us now?”

  “She’s spent years bouncing between people, always brushing them off before long, but I’ve never seen her attach to someone like she has to you.”

  I drank the cocoa. It helped calm me down. “I mean, I’m not too different, actually. People usually get fed up with me before long. Don’t like how open and loud I am, I think. But she’s a good friend.”

  “It’s good to see.” He beamed. “She really likes you, you know. She hasn’t had a satisfying relationship in a long time, and I think you’re good for her.”

  My heart dropped and I forgot for a second how to speak. When I did, I managed all of, “Uh.”

  He laughed. “Okay, I’m guessing. But in all my years knowing her, I’ve never seen her look at anyone like she looks at you. I’ve never heard her talk about anyone like she talks about you.”

  I flushed. “What—what does she say about me?”

  “I think I’ll leave that to your imagination,” he laughed. “Anyway, you are, right?”

  I looked down. “Uh… that depends on how well you can keep a secret for your life.”

  “I’ve spent so much time fretting over Lisette, and now that I’ve seen her finally with someone who really makes her happy, god knows I’d never do anything to get in the way. Besides, from what I can tell about you, you’re one of maybe two people I’d actually trust with her. I’m glad it’s you, Alice.”

  I felt my face burning so hard suddenly it didn’t feel so cold out here anymore. “Crap, she’s going to freak out someone noticed. She’s probably going to insist I don’t get too close to her anymore.”

  “I mean, that’s not possible as long as you two are still the last dancers. Which, in case you don’t realize, has meant that Seth and I are the last dancers in the boys’ studio, and with all due respect, mi amor Alice, your cousin is a pain in the ass.”

  I snorted. “I mean, I don’t think any respect is due. That is exactly what he is.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about anyone else finding out about you two. People see what they’re looking for. The kinds of people you’d have to worry about can’t even conceive of two girls having a relationship. Unless you st
art making out in the middle of the studio, I think you’ll be fine.”

  I sighed, letting out as much of the tension as I could. “I hope you’re right. Thanks for, I mean, not being an asshole about it and everything.”

  “Actually, I was hoping I could share something with you.” He got a big, dorky grin on his face, and I was curious in spite of myself. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and started scrolling. “I’m glad you’re hitched up, to be honest, because I didn’t really want to kiss you at the ball either.”

  I blinked. “Is it about last time?”

  “No, no.” He looked up from his phone. “But just out of curiosity, was that about Lisette too? You’d kept talking then about how you wanted to dance with her instead.”

  I felt myself blush about three shades deeper. “Look, I was young and stupid and didn’t realize just how entrenched homophobia was.”

  “So you really had a crush on her ten years ago, too?”

  I looked down. “I mean…”

  “You are so adorable,” he laughed, going back to his phone. “Anyway, no, it’s not about that. I have a girlfriend.”

  I snapped back up to look at him. “You do? Why didn’t you mention her to anyone?”

  “Well… to put it bluntly, she’s from India and I’m not emotionally prepared for what they’re going to say about brown women and mixed children.”

  He showed me a photo of him and a stunningly gorgeous woman posing together next to a lake, both of them in hiking gear and both with smiles radiant enough to put the sun to shame. I felt myself glow a little looking at it, too.

  “She’s so pretty,” I said. “I mean, not as pretty as my girlfriend, obviously, but I know you couldn’t get jealous anyway because she’s your cousin.”

  He laughed. “I can recognize Lisette is pretty even if I’m definitely not interested.” He swiped through more photos. “We’ve actually been together almost a year now, so it’s getting kind of hard to keep just… not bringing her up. You’re the only person here I’ve told.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Pooja. We met through tennis. I’ve gotten a lot better, but she can still kick my butt around the block.”