“Ella, baby!” she squeals, passing the drinks back to the waiter dressed in a simple black suit and tie. He’s young and handsome, more than likely a model hired for the evening.
“I should have had you model tonight,” Kelly says with a pout. She looks me up and down, adding, “You look stunning.”
“Well, thank you but that’s a bit of the pot calling the kettle black,” I reply with a knowing smile. She does a little twirl in her gold gown adorned with crystals.
“It’s reminiscent of Marilyn,” I comment and she lets out a girlish squeal with her lips pressed in a broad smile before telling me, “I know, right?”
“It’s one of the designers?” Zander asks from beside me and it’s only then that Trish sees him.
“Uh, yes, but also, damn Zander,” she says, then pats his arm with a shocked but overwhelmingly impressed expression. “You clean up nice, Playboy.”
He gives her an asymmetric grin and replies, “Thank you.” His arm finds its way around my waist again and I lean into him just slightly.
Friends, fashion, drinks and celebration. I do love this part.
“Hold on,” Kelly says, holding up a finger before pulling out her phone. She snaps a quick picture and as she does I see a few other guests, who I’m not familiar with, doing the same. “I have to send this to the hubby. He’s on a business trip that I will never forgive him for.”
She types away with a smirk, no doubt bragging about the party but also telling him how much she misses him. She’s a romantic at heart.
“And this,” she says, handing a drink to me, “is for you.”
“Oh, I uh—” My hand raises slightly and Kelly moves forward before I can reject it completely. “Virgin, my dear,” she whispers. Peeking up at Z, he nods.
“I can listen to orders too,” Kelly comments and then laughs at her own joke.
I accept the martini glass and sip. All the while, Z watches.
“Good?” he questions and I nod.
It’s refreshing and goes down easy. I don’t know exactly what it is, but there isn’t a hint of alcohol in it.
With a hand on either side of my waist Zander asks in a murmur if I like it and I tell him it’s delicious.
“Good.” He kisses me and then asks if I’ll be all right for a moment here.
“Yes, but where are you going?” I question.
“I’ll be back in just a moment. Stay where you are and don’t leave,” he commands.
“Z, is everything okay?” I ask although I keep my voice down. Kelly is keeping a watchful eye on me although she’s currently handing out drinks to a pair of women passing behind us. Knowing she’s occupied with them for a moment, I part my lips to question him further, but he stops me.
“There’s nothing you need to worry about. I’m just meeting with the team for a moment. You’ll be fine here. Or would you rather I stay?”
A moment passes and Kelly returns to my side.
“I’ll be fine,” I tell him. “Go.” My heart does a pitter-patter watching him leave me after he kisses the back of my hand.
Kelly is unaware of the shift and claps against her martini glass, letting out an aww.
“He really is a knight in shining armor, isn’t he?” she comments.
“That he is,” I answer with a half smile and sip the virgin drink once again.
“Ask for Ella’s Snowball at the bar and you’ll get one of these,” Kelly informs me before looking past me and squealing with delight.
Her throat is going to be sore and her voice gone by the morning.
I half turn with the drink to my lips only to have the glass nearly taken away.
“Hold on now,” Trish says and sips the drink, lifting her off-the-shoulder black chiffon gown with her left hand and holding the martini glass with the right. “Z told me no alcohol for you tonight and to help be your keeper.”
I would laugh like Kelly does but instead I hush Trish. “Don’t call him Z here—that’s just for us. I don’t want anyone to overhear.”
There’s a moment of contemplation in Trish’s eyes, followed by a soft smile. “What?” I question.
“Nothing, just … just déjà vu. You know when you get that it’s supposed to be a sign that you’re in the exact place you’re supposed to be.”
The quiet reflective moment is over with the DJ requesting guests be seated in the next ten minutes for the show to start.
“Cheers, my loves,” Kelly says as she hands Trish a drink and Trish hands mine back.
Our glasses clink and the lights dim further.