They took a few more group shots, and the whole time Diana was perched on Matthew's lap. She could feel the warmth of his hands through her clothes, and it took everything in her not to squirm. The last thing she wanted was to end up being teased about it later by Matthew and Jacob.
Jacob got up beside them.
_Let me get one of just you two. Hey, man, try to smile a little.
Matthew let out a small chuckle.
+I am smiling.
Diana glanced at him, then pressed her face against his and grinned wide with her teeth showing. Still looking at Jacob's phone, she muttered,
-Smile like this!
This time Matthew actually showed his teeth, the dimples in his cheeks appearing. Jacob snapped the shot.
Excited, Diana turned toward him.
-Hey… you've got dimples too! Look, I have them as well!
She traced her fingers over the hollow in her own cheek.
Matthew tightened his hold around her and stared, spellbound, at her lips.
Jacob clicked the camera again.
His voice, low and teasing, brushed against her ear.
+Why are you turning into a tomato?
Diana quickly wriggled out of his arms and rushed toward the fire.
-I..I didn't!
She coughed to cover her nerves.
-Food's ready! Come on, let's eat.
Jacob eyed them slyly. Matthew, meanwhile, just kept smirking at her.
Diana brought over the burgers and hot dogs, setting them down with the rest of the sides near Matthew. Jacob pulled a cushion off one of the couches and dropped it on the ground, plopping down on it.
_This is perfect.
With no other choice, Diana sat across from Matthew and started eating. Then she remembered her phone, quickly stopped the recording, snapped a picture of the food, and returned to her plate.
She sighed with delight at the taste.
-Mmm… this turned out amazing!
Matthew arched a proud brow.
+Because I chopped up the pickles, tomatoes, and lettuce.
Diana shot Jacob a deadpan look.
-He's one of those, huh?
Jacob nodded gravely.
_Definitely one of those.
Since they were starving, the food disappeared fast, and they even managed to nibble on the leftover sausages.
Diana shoved the tray toward Jacob.
-Just get it away from me!
Then she collapsed on the couch with a groan.
-Ugh, I'm dying. Ate way too much.
Jacob shoved her back with his shoulder.
_Move over, I wanna lie down too!
-Then you move over." Diana grumbled.
_These cushions are wide enough for both of us. You're not taking up any space, shorty. Come on, scoot.
He was right, but she liked arguing for the sake of it. She shifted slightly, and Jacob lay down beside her.
Matthew sat at the top of the couch, right above their heads.
A hand slid under Diana's arms and gently lifted her up until her head rested on Matthew's thigh.
She froze in place, her breath catching in her chest.
Why was he acting like this tonight?
Jacob noticed Diana had been pulled up and sat up himself.
_Hey. Where'd she..?
His eyes widened as soon as he saw her position.
_Nope. Not okay. What's that supposed to mean? I don't like it! What about me?
Matthew smirked.
+You didn't hack anything, did you? What are you even trying to join?
Jacob stayed quiet, sighed, and laid back down with his poker face.
The crackling of burning wood filled the silence, snow easing to a soft fall.
Matthew reached out and began loosening Diana's braid, his fingers slow and deliberate. Her hair fell in soft waves, catching the firelight.
Diana, meanwhile, was showing off her manicured nails to Jacob, talking excitedly, and Jacob ever patient listened and told her how beautiful they looked.
Then Diana asked about the court hearing.
_Everything went exactly as we predicted,
Jacob said.
_And after it ended, they reached out to discuss transferring their plans and projects. Not four of them… eight.
Her head snapped toward him, eyes wide.
-Eight? How are you even gonna handle all that?
Jacob's sigh turned into a small grin.
_Guess our workload just got heavier. But that's a good thing.
As Jacob explained the details, Diana jumped in here and there, adding her own little comments.
Matthew just watched them quietly. He took out his phone, turned off the flash, and snapped a few pictures.
+They look like siblings, he thought.
He brushed his fingers through Diana's hair, massaging her scalp lazily. Her eyelids were growing heavier, lashes fluttering.
He chuckled to himself.
Touch any part of her, and she'd melt instantly.
Jacob suddenly sat up.
_Beer!
He grabbed eight bottles from a bucket of ice and walked over, glancing at Diana.
He grinned.
_Hey, little one? You getting sleepy?
Diana lifted her head from Matthew's leg and sat up straight.
-No… no, I'm awake. Let's get drunk!
Matthew's lips curled.
+Drunk? You? Two beers in and you'll be gone, kid.
Diana shot him a glare that made Jacob press his lips together, trying not to laugh.
-We'll see who the kid is.
And that's how it started, their little drinking contest.
Beer first. The alcohol wasn't that strong, just enough to warm them up. Three bottles each.
Jacob laughed loudly as he popped open the champagne and raised it high.
He handed them each a glass, and they started again.
Diana didn't know why she thought she could keep up with them, those two were built like machines.
By her third glass, she knew she was done.
The guys? Barely sweating, maybe a little flushed.
She sank back into the couch, blinking slowly, her whole body humming with heat.
Five minutes later, she could barely control her own movements.
Her body wanted to move, to dance, to do something.