Page 124 of Love Unforgettable
Chapter 41
Lexie
We wind through the room bypassing table after table to get to table one, which is where I have to sit as the award winner.
I’m number one!
I giggle to myself.
Oh shit. I’m drunk.
“Hey. Wow. Babs, I didn’t know you were here too. Huh. I wish Cole would have told me. And you were able to get a seat at our table. That’s great.” I wish I sounded more enthusiastic, I’m just caught off guard. I mean he told me aboutbubbe, but not Babs. Which is weird, why not just tell me about both at the same time.
Rude, Lexie. You’re being rude.
“Bubbe, I’m so happy you could make it.”
“Lies,” she says.
Uh-oh.
I sit down in the chair next to her. “Look, I’m sorry that I didn’t invite you directly. I didn’t want this to be a big production. I barely invited Cole.”
“So, cold you are. Not your bubbe, not your betrothed. Just with the freints.” She looks at Kat and Remi. “Betn mekhile. Myander bubalas,beg pardon.”
Kat holds her hands up, and takes a step back, as if to say it’s okay. Remi nods in agreement.
“Bubbe, I didn’t want to make a big production of this, okay? I know you think it’s a big accomplishment. And . . . wait a minute. He’s not my betrothed. That’s a little crazy, don’t you think? I barely know him. I mean, I like him. A lot. And he seriously turns me on. But marriage, let’s slow this train down,” I laugh. “I’m not even certain he’s not a rebound. Sorry, Babs.”
“He’s not,” Kat and Remi both say at the same time.
“You guys always have my back. I love that so much about you. Thank you.” I look at them and tears well in my eyes.
I would die without them. Literally.
Remi gives me a look that I interpret as something close to,you’re a badass, time to act like it.
“Actually, screw that. Well, not about the train. The train is still slowing down. I’m talking about the big production part. Because it is a big accomplishment. A huge fucking one.” I look to Remi who gives me the thumbs up in return. I turn back towardBubbeand take her hand in mine. “I’m sorry,Bubbe.I am. I know you love me. And I love you, so much. I’m happy that you are here. I promise. Babs, I’m happy that you are here, as well. I just wish Cole would have told me. I mean, there was no reason to keep it a secret.”
I stand up and move between both of their seats but try to keep my voice down for the sake of the other couple. “I know that you two want this thing to work between Cole and me. So, you should know that I really like him. Your grandson is one hell of a sexy man, Babs.”
“Amen to that, sweetheart.” Babs raises her glass.
“L'chaim,”Bubberaises her own glass to cheers with Babs.
“And,Bubbe, you’ll be happy to know that Cole and I will beshtuppingtonight. A lot if I have anything to say about it. So, you cannot call me an old maid any longer. He got us a room and I’m gonnashtupthat man’s brains out.”
“Mazel Tov.” Bubbe raises her glass once again.
“Matsel Toff.” Babs raises hers as well.
As do the couple across the table.
I turn to Kat and Remi. “How is it that we don’t have any drinks?” Remi points to the middle of the table where a bottle of red and a bottle of white wine sits, with glasses.
“Duh. If it were a snake, and all that.” I pour us all some wine, then move to sit next to the couple.
“I’m sorry that you had to hear all this. I’m just . . . I’m winning a big award tonight, so my best friends are here, and my grandma and her bestie.” I gesture across the table to Mavis and Babs. “And, my boyfriend. At least I think he’s my boyfriend. He went to go escort Mavis, mybubbe, downstairs. Oh shit, I should text him to tell him she’s already here.” I scramble for my purse.
“I’ll text him,” Kat says. “You just keep talking.” She has a slight smile on her face that I can’t quite identify. Not that it matters.
I turn back to the couple. “I’m just not sure yet if he’s my boyfriend. He bought me this dress, and these shoes, which are just so extraordinary. Ohmigod. And so expensive.” I lower my voice slightly. “We are fairly certain, we being my besties and me, that he’s loaded. He’s got a Black Amex, which is usually a good indicator.” I see Remi motioning in the background. Drawing her finger across her throat. I think she wants me to stop talking.
I wave my hand at her. “It’s fine Remi. They have to be with us all night, so they’re going to figure all this out sooner or later. And, I’m not oversharing, at least not a ton.” I turn back toward the couple. “I have a tendency to overshare. Especially when I’m nervous. But this isn’t me being nervous. Not yet at least. I mean, I’ll be nervous later because my boyfriend and I are spending the night together for the first time. He got us a suite. And the man can kiss. Holy moly. And if past performance is any indication, he’s packing in the meat department. Wow, that was cheesy, even for me. And . . .” I slap my hand over my mouth. “Definitely an overshare.” I look to Remi. “I’m oversharing.”
“Can we get some coffee over here, please?” Remi says to a passing server as Cole walks up to the table.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I tell him at the same time he says, “Sweetness, I see you met my parents. I was wondering where you guys were.”
Oh. My. God. Kill me now.
