She starts making quacking noises and I have a nostalgic moment. It’s so strong I have a wild moment of wanting to move back to Charleston so I’ll have more moments like this.
“Don’t go all lezzy on me. Don’t get me wrong, a little girl on girl action never hurt anyone. But you’re looking at me like you should look at dick.”
I feel my mouth turn into a pout as I change course and throw myself at her. “I missed you so much,” I say as I land on the bed and crush her in a hug.
“Okay, okay, I missed you, too.” She squeezes back and then I let her go. She sits up and props herself against the headboard.
“I know you told me everything last night, but we really didn’t talk about it. I’m still mad at you for not telling me until now.”
I sigh and glance at my cuticles, which suddenly need my attention.
“Don’t you mutter at me,” she says.
I can’t remember saying anything.
“You ended up in bed with Drew and you say you didn’t do the dirty with him. And the way you were all disheveled at the door. I would have sworn you had sex with him if you hadn’t said otherwise. And you wonder why Louise is rusty.”
“Louise isn’t rusty. Sex is like riding a bike.”
“In your case, a rusty bike, considering how long it’s been.”
I fall back into the wall of pillows. “What am I going to do?”
“I can’t answer that for you. Part of me thinks that he’s obviously still crazy about you and you would be crazy not to jump at that chance.”
“How can I? Why doesn’t he hate me?” I bury my face in my hands.
“Hun, he may be able to blame you for leaving. But he knows damn well why you left.”
I press the heels of my palms into my eyes. “Every time I look at him, the guilt, it hurts.”
She lets out a heavy sigh. “I haven’t said this before because you had too much going on then. And you didn’t need advice like this. But you need to forgive yourself. You did what you thought you had to do. He’s obviously not mad at you. And it can’t be easy for him either. If he’s willing to give it a shot…”
“He wants me to call him Andy, like that somehow wipes the slate clean and gives us a brand new start.”
“Drew?” she asks. I nod and she adds, “When I saw him I swear it was like seeing a ghost.”
I glare at her. “Too soon?” She wears an I’m sorry expression.
“A ghost, really?” I wave a hand.
“I’m sorry, Cate. Drew – Andy—what the fuck, he’s here now. You have to decide what you want and maybe going out tonight is the answer.”
“How is that?
“There will be plenty of men—”
I cut her off. “How will that help?”
She holds out a hand. “Wait. Plenty of men, rich men—”
“Money doesn’t move me, Jenna.”
“Will you let me have a word?”
I sigh, then nod.
“If you keep an open mind, and you meet someone that interests you, then you know you’re ready to move on. If you keep hiding out, how will you know if he’s the answer or not?”
She has a point. “Fine, but I’m not sleeping with anyone.”
“You don’t have to.”
“What? You’re giving up your love quest for Louise?”
“I’m not giving up. I’m giving you a pass for tonight. Plus, I have a feeling the man of your dreams will be there tonight.”
“Are you saying that because Drew won’t be there?”
“I’m saying it because I have this feeling in my gut. Plus it doesn’t hurt tomorrow is Halloween. Something’s in the air and tonight’s masquerade ball is a grown up version of a Halloween party. Lots of tricks and mischief. Time for you to give up some of your treats.”
Her eyes spark to life and I know that look. I groan. I also know if I don’t get out of here, she’ll make plans for us to go to the spa or something. So I get to my feet and make a beeline for the bathroom. As I shower, I think she’s right. I haven’t given anyone a real shot since him. And maybe it is time for me to spread my wings and find out if this bird is ready to fly.
A few hours later after coffee and breakfast at a café near my apartment, a delivery arrives. A woman artfully carries several bags into my apartment.
“What’s this?” I ask Jenna, hiding behind the closed door of my bedroom because I don’t want to ask in front of the impatient looking woman.
“It’s the Belfour treatment,” she says like that’s the answer to everything. When I fold my arms over my chest, she flutters her lashes and sighs. “Kenneth is providing my dress and yours although he doesn’t know it yet.”
That’s Jenna for you. She’s going to stick the guy with the cost for my dress too. “Jenna, I can’t.”
“You can because if you don’t go, I don’t go.” She shrugs like that’s the end of it.
Only it is, because protesting doesn’t work. I’m forced back into the living room as the woman unzips gorgeous dress after gorgeous dress from individual garment bags by well-known high end designers. There are shoes and clutches as well, specially selected for each outfit. There is even lingerie. The woman, whose nose couldn’t be any higher in the air, finally leaves after showing us everything and promising to pick up whatever we don’t want the next day.
“Come on, pick one and then we can check each other out.”
I point to the bags. “No, you first. This is your day, Cinderella. Your fairy godmother just left.”
Her mouth purses. “I’m not Cinderella at this ball. I have my Prince and it’s time you find yours, or at least one to try out for the night.”
“Fine, but Cinderella doesn’t pick first. Her evil step-sisters get the best dresses.”
She looks aghast, pointing at herself. “I’m evil?”
“Yes, yes you are.” I laugh. “You’re the one that wants me to get dolled up and laid by some stranger as long as he can get to my glass slipper.”
“Well, true.”
She makes a fuss spinning around and leaving the room in a flourish with all the bags. She tries on the gowns and settles for a royal blue dress with lacy appliques that hide certain body parts while revealing skin in a way that is going to make Kenneth’s jaw drop.
“Here, try this one.”
She hands me a pure white dress. It isn’t the one I would have picked, but she reminds me that Cinderella doesn’t get a choice. So much for my big mouth. The gown dips low in a plunging neckline. If not for a sheer piece of fabric across the middle, I would pop out of it. Still, I won’t be able to wear a bra and by the clingy look of the dress, I might not be able to wear underwear either.
After getting into it, I know I will have to go totally bare underneath the dress. When I walk out, Jenna excitedly claps. “That’s it. That’s the one.”
“I haven’t tried on anything else,” I complain.
“You don’t have to. Your body is perfect for it.”
I hate to admit it, but the dress is stunning. There are no price tags, but I know the dress costs a pretty penny based on the store name printed on the business card the woman handed us before she left.
After changing back into our own clothes, we walk down the street to one of my favorite restaurants and eat a light lunch. Jenna’s afraid if we eat too heavy we might be too bloated to fit our dresses well and I have to agree. The fabric on both is unforgiving. Every curve and rut will show.
Later, I shower and spend an hour flat ironing my hair to add some curls as Jenna helps me create a half up and down do. I can’t help but feel like a princess when a limo arrives to pick us up. The ball is at a place I am unfamiliar with, so I’m glad for the ride. We are ushered out in red carpet style fashion, and even stop to pose for pictures before we enter. I recognize the Speaker of the House, who stands behind us. Although that is kind of cool, I wonder if all the men will be silver foxes or if some younger guys will make an appearance tonight.
Inside, a pleasant melody plays and some people dance as others mingle. But it’s too quiet and I can’t put my finger on it.
I slip on the white mask trimmed in silver with a feather plume on one side that was in a separate bag inside the garment bag for my dress. Jenna slips on her royal blue mask covered in black lace.