Page 126 of Love Undecided
I laugh.
He smiles and spins me back around to face the ballroom.
“Surprise!” Both Lexie and Remi yell.
I jump so high ice flies out of my glass.
“Holy shit! What are you guys doing here?” I ask as I move in to hug them both. They look amazing. Remi is in a three-quarter sleeve, gathered red wiggle dress with a crossover neckline that shows her curves off in an almost indecent way. With her dark hair in victory rolls, eyes heavily lined, bright red lips, and peep-toe pumps, she looks like a carryover from a pinup calendar you’d find in a mechanics shop in the 50’s.
And Lexie couldn’t be more her opposite if she tried. Looking like a little punk rock pixie in a black strapless baby doll mini-dress with an extra-large glittered belt, tulle skirt, patterned black tights, and heeled ankle boots. Her bright pink hair pulled into twin spikey knots on either side of her head.
“Sexy not-ex thought you could use a little moral support on your big night out,” Lexie says.
“I’m so glad to see you guys. How’d you get in?”
“Sexy not-ex got us dates,” Remi says.
I turn to Brad. “Thank you,” I say and kiss him on the cheek.
Ethan shows up behind Lexie and hands her a glass of champagne. He knocks beer bottles with Brad as a hello.
“So, you’re the date?” I ask Ethan.
“I’m a date,” he says.
“And I’m the other,” Bauer says as he approaches. Handing Remi a martini, dirty from the looks of it. He holds up his glass of bourbon in acknowledgment.
“I can’t believe you did this,” I say to Brad. He shrugs in return as if to say it’s no big deal.
“And I really can’t believe you did this,” I say to Remi, motioning to Bauer.
“I’m offended, Cookie,” Bauer says. “The Ice Queen and I have become friends.”
“I wouldn’t go so far as to sayfriends,” Remi says.
“How about tolerating one another for an evening for the sake of a friend,” Lexie suggests.
“I’ll drink to that,” Remi says.
“Hear, hear,” Ethan says raising his bottle. Bauer drinks to it, shaking his head.
A throat clears into the microphone on the stage, and the fire chief calls for everyone to find a seat as the first course will be served soon. We make our way to our table, and Brad pulls out my chair for me and gets me situated. Then whispers into my ear that he’ll be right back.
Bauer, seated to my right, gives me a little wink. I squint my eyes back at him.
The Chief, still on the stage, asks for everyone’s attention.
“We have a very special presentation tonight that I know you won’t want to miss. If everyone could please quiet down for just a moment,” he says.
The room quiets.
I look around for Brad, not wanting him to miss the special presentation, but I don’t see him anywhere.
“Hello.” A new voice beckons from the stage.
Brad’s voice.
“For those who don’t know me, my name is Brad Matthews. I’m a lieutenant with the SSFD.” A round of cheers and whistles echo through the room from his station mates and friends.
