I say do something asap. If you wait til after the party someone else may snatch him, and if you try and kiss him just before the party and it goes wrong the awkwardness will still be fresh. Ask him over for dinner at yours? At best there will be an evening to yourselves and possibly wine and music, and at worst you will have more time to step up flirting and gauge his reactions.

And you are awesome and really really gorgeous. He would be nuts to ignore you.

xxx