Prompt 2

Afterparty

"Ian won't dance with me."

Bill's first play had come to a close after a successful run, and the entire company, along with Anne and Ian, now filled a tavern, all indulging in the Earl of Southampton's generosity, which even included hiring Mortal Coil to play for them.

Bill himself had been swept up in all the congratulations and toasts and such, leaving Anne, Gabriel and Ian to themselves. They'd assured him they didn't mind, it was his party after all, but he was admittedly hoping for a way out now. Which was when he heard that familiar voice and looked up to find that Gabriel had appeared at his side, seemingly from nowhere, wearing a clearly-fake pout and awaiting sympathy. He furrowed his brow.

"What?"

"Ian will not dance with me!" she repeated with a scoff, "He says he is too shy. I say he is just not drunk enough." She took a sip of her wine as Bill smirked.

"Maybe he's just not a big drinker?"

Gabriel just huffed. She looked back at Ian and Anne at their table, clearly enjoying their conversation. When they happened to glance over and Ian met her gaze, she smiled coyly and tried to beckon him over. He blushed and bit his lip, but shook his head, turning away. Anne laughed teasingly and nudged his arm. They couldn't hear what she said to him but both Bill and Gabriel laughed along with her.

"Anyway," Gabriel said, turning back to Bill, "I thought you might dance with me instead."

"Asking another woman's husband to dance?" he gasped in mock surprise, then narrowed his eyes as he smiled, "Well, clearly, you're drunk enough."

She laughed and grabbed his hand, placing her drink down, "We'll make them jealous. Since we are having all the fun ourselves."

He had wanted to take a break, but he couldn't say 'no' to her; it was her job to be convincing. He let her pull him away and sweep him into the centre of the room, prompting a few other members of the company to join them, though still not Ian or Anne. No, they were more than happy to sit and watch their partners together.

This was their party, after all.