Aimee Duffy - The Office Christmas Party - A fun, feel good Christmas cracker of a romance!

What made it shitty was who he was spending it with. Not that he knew Alana’s parents, they seemed nice enough. But directly across from him were his parents, and they’d yet to even acknowledge him.

Luckily Jeffrey was so dumbstruck that Alana had agreed to marry him, he’d forgotten about their argument, even if Dean hadn’t. But he still forced out the appropriate congratulations, even when he wanted to shake some sense into his brother, and warn Alana that if she broke Jeffrey’s heart he’d do everything in his power to make her regret it.

And he might have, if the Wicked Witch hadn’t flown in on her broom for the evening, dragging his dad along with her.

The first poison dart came as soon as the starters were served, and it was the first time she acknowledged his presence.

‘I see your girlfriend couldn’t make it tonight, Dean.’ His mother’s disparaging gaze didn’t fit with the sweet, doting mother act she was working for the in-laws’ benefit.

He was about to tell his mother he’d had two separate women this month, but had gotten bored of their skill in the bedroom already (not that it was true, he just wanted to wipe the smug look off her face and humiliate her for a change), when he caught Jeffrey throwing him a warning glance. Dean couldn’t screw up his brother’s night and not just because his parent’ would never let him hear the end of it. He hadn’t exactly been a supportive sibling lately. Even if he thought Jeffrey was making a colossal mistake, he should be there for him no matter what.

‘I’m not seeing anyone at the moment,’ he said instead.

His mother tutted, and shook her head with a pained expression. Turning to Alana’s parents, she explained her disappointing eldest son. ‘Ten years ago, he was engaged to be married. I thought by this point we’d be surrounded by grandchildren. But Dean just can’t keep a woman. Luckily Jeffrey’s loyal. We’re so proud of him.’

Dean fisted his hands reflexively, then pulled them under the table. He couldn’t believe the witch was making it sound like he’d been unfaithful, when he’d been anything but.

Jeffrey jumped in before Dean could erupt. ‘Mum, Dean’s so busy with our business he doesn’t have time to date. He’s creating an updated version of our hospitality program, and we’ve already lined up thousands of buyers.’

But their mother just shook her head. It was their father who spoke. ‘You were forever on that computer as a boy. Now you’re a man, son. You need to get out of that office and find yourself a nice wife like your brother. You’re not getting any younger.’

Great, now he was an ancient computer nerd. But he wasn’t going to argue, he just nodded. Thankfully the conversation turned from his unacceptable (to his parents, anyway) love life to the wedding, and while dates in July and centrepiece ideas were bounced around, he zoned out and unlocked his mobile.

First he hooked up to the booking system to find the next party Nicole Porter was listed to attend, and found it easily enough – a hotel just off Trafalgar Square the following night – then added himself to the guest list.

After all, he wasn’t going to let her just get away with ruining his shirt – not that he cared about the clothes. This was a battle of wit and about the only thing keeping him occupied enough so all this wedding stuff wouldn’t drag him back to a place in his head he didn’t want to be.

And she wasn’t just a worthy rival, she was sexy too. With a smart mouth, sexy body and quick wit, she was his ideal fling – exciting, sassy and definitely nothing that would feel repetitive. What made it all the sweeter was that she didn’t seem to feel anything for him other than disdain, though he was sure he’d caught an occasional spark of lust in her eyes. There would be no risk of feelings getting involved, and more importantly, hearts being broken.

No matter what she said, they were playing a game. A sparring, lust-fuelled one. And when the time came, they were both coming out of it winners.

***

‘I really wish I didn’t have that second margarita,’ Natalie said, as she bounced up and down on the seat of the taxi. ‘I’m bursting for the loo.’

Rose smiled for what seemed like the first time that week. ‘You should have gone before we left.’

Hindsight was a funny thing, though not at this moment when she had a bladder full to bursting.

‘Finally!’ As soon as the taxi stopped, she flung a twenty at the driver and scrambled out. The restaurant was the kind of place where they seated you, but Natalie couldn’t wait for that. She was heading straight for the bathroom.

They passed the window and headed for the door, but Rose pulled her back. Natalie crossed her legs, but it didn’t help. ‘ Come on, Rose. I’m going to wet the pavement.’

Rose’s expression was blank. ‘I think we should go to that sushi bar around the corner.’

‘The one three streets away? Are you kidding? I’m on the verge of peeing myself.’

Calmly, Rose said, ‘You told me it was my choice tonight.’

Natalie switched to hopping from one foot and the other. ‘You chose here , remember?’

Her friend shot a nervous glance at the door, then refocused on Natalie. ‘I changed my mind.’

She was so desperate, she could cry. ‘Please, Rose. Don’t do this to me.’

‘Look, just go to the loo in there. They’re busy tonight.’ Her friend glanced through the window, then quickly stepped away from it. ‘They won’t even notice you.’

Usually, Natalie wouldn’t dare in case the pee police were watching, but she was too far gone to argue.

‘Fine,’ she mumbled and snuck in.

Thankfully nobody was paying attention to her, but the problem was, she didn’t know the restaurant at all and finding the bathroom was not as easy a task as she thought. She tried to look like she knew what she was doing, like she was supposed to be there, but desperation got the best of her and she grabbed a waiter’s arm, almost knocking over the three steaks he was expertly holding.

‘Bathroom?’ she pleaded.

And the second he nodded to the far corner she was off, trying not to knock over tables as she went. But as she neared, a familiar face exited the men’s room, blocking her way to the ladies’ one. ‘No, please no. ’

Dean chuckled, and she had to resist the urge to hop from leg to leg.

‘That’s some way to speak to a guy you told everyone was riddled with crabs and then poured a gallon of wine over,’ he said with a smirk. ‘Are you legitimately here tonight or just in for a freebie?’

Natalie gritted her teeth. She’d have argued with him all night, but … ‘I don’t have time for this. I’m about three seconds from ruining your shoes too, so if you don’t mind, step out of the effing way.’

With a laugh he shifted to let her pass, even though she was fully prepared to shove him out of the way. When she’d regained her composure, she hoped desperately that he’d left, or was on a date. Then he couldn’t pester her anymore and she’d be able to sneak out without the lecture that accompanied peeing in a restaurant you’ve not ordered in.

No such luck.

He was leaning against a wooden archway when she emerged. ‘I think the whole restaurant heard you, there. Everyone thought a race horse had snuck into the bathroom.’

‘Har, har.’ But her cheeks burned as she stalked by him.

‘Lighten up, Nicole. This isn’t the battlefield. I was teasing.’

‘My name is not Nicole,’ she said, whirling on him. ‘And I doubt yours is Dean, either.’

He smiled. ‘It is. I don’t suppose you’d tell me yours?’

Who knew with his always slightly smug, amused expression? She couldn’t tell if he was sincere or if this was another one of those games he kept banging on about. She shook her head. ‘I need to go.’