After I shower, I wrap myself in a towel as I do my make-up. I keep everything light, except for my eyes. Tonight, I do a smoldering look that I saw one of my favorite social media influencers do. And it looks so good. Since we’re at the beach, I braid my hair, letting it hang over my shoulder. Glancing at the clock, I see it’s almost six. Time for the dress. It’s snug. So much so that I don’t think I’m going to be able to wear underwear. I feel warm as I bypass the undergarments and slip on the dress.
Slipping some black sandals on, I make my way downstairs. Everyone is in the kitchen, and I’m glad to see that I didn’t overdress. Jasmine is wearing a gold cocktail dress, and Dru is wearing the same version in silver. I wonder if they bought them together. Al is still wearing his shorts but changed his shirt. Richard is wearing shorts, too, and a Hawaiian shirt. But it’s Jafar that I try not to stare at. He’s wearing black slacks and a deep blue shirt. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him in anything other than black. His gaze goes to me as he appraises me slowly.
Jasmine says, “You look so good, Ellie! I’m surprised you’re comfortable showing off your arms.”
She’s not saying something I haven’t said a thousand times myself, but it’s still embarrassing to have my flaws brought to everyone’s attention.
“Well, when in Rome,” I say.
Dru shoots Jasmine a look that has me on edge, as if they might laugh about this together later. Would Jasmine do that to me? That I even have to question it is telling. Thankfully, I’m saved from more embarrassment when an older man wearing a chef’s jacket taps on the back door. Jafar opens it, letting him in.
“Mr. Jafar, we’re ready for you.”
Jasmine takes the lead, following the man with Dru on her heels. Richard and Al are next, leaving me and Jafar in the kitchen. He stops me as I try to pass.
“Trying to play with fire, little mouse?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say as I move past him.
He grabs my wrist, pulling my back against his chest. His breath hits the shell of my ear, making me shiver.
“Tell me. If I were to reach down, would I find you aren’t wearing panties?”
I look up at him. “Yeah.”
His nostrils flare as I pull from his grasp. I hurry away to catch up with the others. The beach is empty, and I wonder how much money it cost to make that happen. There’s a long table covered with a white cloth sitting near the water. Everyone has already claimed their seats, leaving two next to each other for me and Jafar. Great. I sit on the end, letting Jafar take the one next to Richard. Al is across from me, so at least I’ll have someone to talk to.
The chef clears his throat, getting everyone’s attention.
“Thank you for having me tonight, ladies and gentlemen. My staff and I look forward to taking your tastebuds on a journey you won’t soon forget. We’ll be starting with our first course. Until then, please enjoy the wine. It’s meant to cleanse your palate.”
I lift my wine glass, taking a sip. The white wine is light and fruity, with hints of peaches and cucumbers. It’s the perfect choice for a beach wine. Everyone murmurs their like of it.
Across from me, Al finishes his glass. “Can you imagine getting drunk on this stuff? It would be the worst hangover.”
I smile over my glass, trying to be polite. I’m guessing Al is still at that party stage in his life, and that’s fine. I never really got into that scene. Not when there was so much work to be done. Plus, I was always too shy to let loose like that.
Several servers arrive with trays of hors d’oeuvres.
The chef arrives last and says, “Your first course of the night is a goat cheese crostini with a fig-olive tapenade.”
I’ve never been one to try new things, but why not? Everyone seems to enjoy it. Taking a bite, I let out a small moan. It’s so good.
At the other end of the table, Dru says, “This reminds me of our wedding, Richard.”
A pang of regret courses through me. I didn’t receive my invitation to their wedding until a few days before the event. I’d like to think it was lost in the mail, but the postmark on the envelope suggested otherwise. I didn’t end up going because I was so mad that Dru had found yet another way to hurt me. I’m sure they didn’t miss me, but I still feel bad. Richard makes a sound of agreement, saying he thinks this version is better.
Jasmine turns to Al. “Do you think Ellie looks pretty tonight?”
His gaze goes to me. “I do.”
My cheeks feel warm. “Thank you.”
“The sun is going to set soon. If you get cold, I can run in and get you a jacket.”
Jafar says, “She’ll be fine.”
Jasmine rolls her eyes, turning toward Dru, saying something too low for me to hear. Jeez. Is he going to be like this all night?