Page 9 of Not Just Gal Pals

Hormones flooded my body, sending my heart racing and my head giddy. I forced my mouth shut before I started drooling.

Damn. Who knew a woman in a fancy suit could have this effect on me? I certainly didn’t until a minute ago. Come to think of it, I had seen plenty of women in tuxes and similar outfits before. But I’d never seen Blake Mitchell in one.

I cleared my throat. “Okay, everyone! First up, Jane Austen trivia. And yes, Amanda starts off at negative five points, so the rest of you have a chance.”

CHAPTER FIVE

BLAKE

Thank god for Jenny.

Amanda, already on a high after trouncing us all at trivia, was almost peeing herself laughing. Blindfolded, she was trying to kiss a picture of Colin Firth stuck to the wall, her mouth caked with red lipstick. It was the adult version of Pin the Tail on the Donkey. While the doctor in me worried about the risk of communicable diseases being spread, the friend in me was thrilled Amanda was having such a great time. Without Jenny’s help, I shuddered to think how the party would be going right now. We’d probably be sipping tea and making boring small talk.

Amanda finally kissed the wall, leaving a bright-red mark at least a foot away from Colin, and pulled off the blindfold dramatically.

“Damn!” She looked over at Colin’s face. “I’m sorry, Colin. You know I love you, despite being betrothed to another. Actually, fuck it.” She landed another passionate smooch directly on his lips—Good lord, was she tonguing the paper?—and we all cackled.

“Okay, that one doesn’t count,” Jenny said, still laughing. “Maya, since you kissed his eyeball while still blindfolded…” she said, shooting a stern look at Amanda, “you’re officially Mrs. Darcy. Congratulations!” Jenny handed Maya a box of chocolates.

Jenny looked adorable in a baby-blue dress that was far too big for her. Her hair, which she’d curled into ringlets, perfectly framed her face. Her cheeks were flushed, possibly from the prosecco or from the exertion of running the party. A pang of guilt shot through me.

As we took a break to refill our glasses and help ourselves to more cake, I walked over to Jenny, who I could have sworn had been trying to avoid me. Each time I approached, she suddenly needed to tend to Walter or set up the next game. Every so often, I thought I sensed her eyes on me, but when I looked over to her, she was always intently focused on something else.

To be honest, I didn’t blame her if she was pissed off at me. Not only had she had to step in to save the bachelorette party at the last minute, but I’d also arrived late for it and had been a dick to her yesterday. It was no excuse, but I’d just received Mr. Jeffries’ scans, and it wasn’t good news. Desperate to clear my head, I’d rushed outside to get some fresh air. To say I hadn’t been in the best frame of mind for a literal collision with the woman whose presence sent me into a tailspin was an understatement. And to top that off, the corner of the box Jenny had been holding had made impact just below my rib cage, sending a shooting pain through my abdomen. As per usual, my words had come out wrong. I’d sounded curt, maybe even rude. I cringed just thinking about it.

I took a deep breath and strode over to Jenny, who was giving Walter a treat. I was determined to catch her this time. I wouldn’t be able to relax until I did.

“Hey, thanks very much for all of this. I’m sorry I was late. It’s really great—much better than anything I could’ve done. Please let me know how much this all cost, and I’ll pay you back. And can I do anything to help?” My words came out stilted, awkward.

“No thanks, I’ve got it all under control.” Jenny’s voice sounded polite, cordial, but not exactly warm.

Her eyes darted down my outfit, a strange expression on her face. Oh shit, maybe she was annoyed I hadn’t worn a dress.

“I, uh, I hope my outfit is okay. I ended up borrowing the top half from Maya—it was Mr. Knightley’s costume. I couldn’t fit into any of the pants, though, but I thought the jodhpurs and boots would work.” One benefit of being relatively flat chested was that I could fit into some men’s clothing.

“It’s...great.” Jenny’s strange expression lingered. Was it discomfort? Distaste? Uneasiness swelled in my belly.

Okay, Blake. Now is the time to apologize properly—for yesterday, for running late, for making Jenny do all the work.

I swallowed and opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I cleared my throat, preparing to try again, when Jenny shot me another indecipherable look and clapped her hands, her face breaking into a smile as she turned away from me. My heart sank.

“Okay, everyone! Pass the Parcel is next. Please form a circle. Yes, I know this sounds very elementary school, but I can guarantee you that the prizes are most definitely not elementary school—or Jane Austen themed, for that matter!” Jenny winked, and despite being frustrated at myself for my botched apology, I was intrigued. We hadn’t discussed this game.

Jenny changed the background music to Lizzo, turned it up, and then handed a large parcel to Amanda, who was sitting next to me.

It quickly became clear that Jenny had done a run to one of the adult stores in Oldburgh, because each time the music stopped and another layer of wrapping paper was ripped off, an X-rated gift was revealed. A small black bullet vibrator, candy underwear, and a rose-scented, vulva-shaped candle. We all got a prize. I was the new owner of a pair of plastic handcuffs that looked like they would either not lock properly and ruin any S&M play, or they would lock too well and require a humiliating trip to the hardware store to buy a saw. Not that it mattered since I had no one to use them on anyway.

“Okay, everyone, we’re down to the very last prize,” Jenny announced, a cheeky grin on her face, turning “Juice” up to full blast. We passed the parcel around the circle a few times.

Amanda had just handed me the parcel when the music halted.

I looked over at Jenny, surprised. Given the game was obviously rigged, with Jenny stopping the music to make sure everyone got something, I’d assumed Amanda would get the final present. Jenny muttered something under her breath. I’m not a lip reader, but I was fairly confident it was, “Shit.” I inwardly chuckled. She’d clearly intended for the music to stop while Amanda was holding the parcel.

“I think this was for you,” I said to Amanda, holding up the parcel.

Amanda shook her head, grinning. “Nope, you won it fair and square. It’s yours.”

Jenny, pink-cheeked, chimed in. “Um, Blake’s right. It was meant for you, Amanda.”