“You can try to look a little interested,” Jenna whispers in my ear. I give her a guilty smile. This is the second, maybe third, long-winded speech that’s been given in the last twenty minutes, and I’m doing my best not to fall asleep.
“Go get some air,” she says, giving me a squeeze on the shoulder before pecking me on the cheek. I avoid looking at her dad’s best friend. He’s been giving me dirty looks all night. Her dad probably gave him the task of making sure I feel unwelcome since he couldn’t be here to do it himself. I get up and make my way across the midsized ball room they’ve rented. I glance at my phone to check the time.
9:20 p.m.
I’ve only been here forty minutes, but it feels like hours. This thing is probably going to last until at least 11:00 p.m. I’m almost at the door when one of the servers nearly bumps into me.
“Excuse me,” she says quickly before dodging me with a tray full of champagne glasses. Suddenly, my vision is blurry and there’s a ringing in my ears.
When things come into focus I’m no longer in the same midsized ballroom at a medical fundraiser. There are still people everywhere, but there’s a live band on stage and a huge banner that says “Crestfield Cares” with silver and black balloons everywhere. It’s happening again. I’m remembering and I see him. He makes his way inside a private room. It’s a large office looking out over the downstairs ballroom. Dexter’s there, drink in hand.
“What’d you want to talk about, Dex?” he asks, amused. He’s walked over to the window where you can see down over the entire floor.
“I never thought I’d see you like this, Cal. So enamored,” Dexter says, a smug grin on his face.
“I’m not really an ‘enamored’ type of guy,” Cal jokes as he looks downstairs over the party. His gaze immediately finds Lauren. She’s in a short grey dress that fits her like a glove, her long hair is pulled over her shoulder.
“Like the dress? I picked it out,” he replies, his eyes roving over her as she makes small talk with a group of women. She glances up at him and he winks at her, she blows him a kiss.
“I’ve never argued that fact.” He laughs. “You have excellent taste,” Dexter adds.
“However, I’m starting to worry that she’s not just an infatuation anymore,” he says tightly.
“That’s because she’s not. I told you that, Dex,” he says, his irritation apparent.
“I didn’t think you meant it,” Dexter chuckles.
“You’ve run through more women than red lights.” Dexter’s tone is playful, but his expression is stern. Cal turns away from the window and leans against it, his arms folded across his chest.
“I’m asking her to marry me,” he states bluntly. Dexter’s face is blank. He’s quiet as he walks over to the large desk and sits behind it. He folds his hands and lets out a deep breath.
“I can’t allow you to do that, Cal,” he says quietly, and I begin to laugh.
Cal’s reply is sharp. “I think you need to remind yourself who you’re talking to before saying bullshit like that to me.”
“Cal, marriage is an entirely different animal. It’s not something you’ll be able to hide or take back,” he says, looking me in the eye.
“I’m not stupid. I know how marriage works. I’m doing it. I love her,” he says simply. Dexter shakes his head and takes a long sip of his drink. “I’m going to need you to back me up on this. I want it to be legitimate,” he says seriously and Dexter laughs. He walks closer to him, looking him directly in the eye.
“I’m serious, Dexter” he says pointedly.
“So you’re planning on telling her the truth?” Dexter counters. Cal scowls at him.
“Of course you’re not.” He laughs mockingly.
“I’m quite impressed that you’ve been able to pull off some version of a serious relationship. I must give you that. But a marriage, to be able to pull that off with your condition, and without telling her the truth, you would have to be Houdini,” he spits bitterly, rising from his desk and pouring himself another drink. Cal walks towards him.
“You’re right,” he says and patting Dexter on the back.
“She’s just my plaything. I’m going to go play with her now,” he says sarcastically.
“Let’s not worry about any of this now. It’s a party. Eat, drink, and be merry!” He says boisterously. Dexter frowns.
“Maybe I won’t marry her. You know me, always kidding around, since my life is a big fucking joke!”
“Cal, you know I didn’t mean it like that. I’m trying to keep things fair,” Dexter says tightly.
“Why don’t you stop playing fucking referee for a minute and know that I need this!” he shouts at him. “I need her,” and I can hardly believe it, but Dexter’s expression shows a hint of sympathy. Cal turns away and heads out of the office. He starts to open the door but turns around before he does.
“Let’s not forget, between the two of us, I’m the one keeping secrets for you. Not him. Don’t get on my bad side, Dex. It’s not a good place to be,” he warns before slamming the door. He heads down a long corridor where people are drinking and dancing. It seems like forever before he gets to Lauren, who’s walking around the party trying to look interested, an almost empty champagne glass in her hand. He slips his arms around her waist. She looks up at him, and smiles seductively.
“Let’s go,” he says. She snakes her arms around his neck, giggling. “How many glasses of champagne did you have?” he asks her and she looks up as if she’s thinking.
“Guess,” she says, pouting her lips at him.
“I’m going to have fun with you tonight,” he says, leading her towards the exit.
“You have fun with me every night,” she teases back, her hands running up his back.
They exit the party where a dozen other people are waiting for their cars to be pulled around.
“We’ll have your car in just a moment, Mr. Scott,” one of the valets says with a glance their way. A moment later a black Porsche pulls around and he leads Lauren towards it.
Lauren thanks the valet as he opens the door for her. They drive for about 15 minutes with Lauren singing along to the radio.
“Babe, I’m going to have to pay for voice lessons or something. This singing off key thing isn’t sexy,” he jokes, and she swats him on the chest. A few minutes later, they’ve pulled up in front of a huge body of water. He gets out of the car, walks around to Lauren’s side and opens the door for her. He takes her hand and helps her out.
“The lakefront. Look at you being all romantic,” she kids, and he laughs. The car music is playing just loud enough for them to hear. He lets out a deep breath and I feel my heart speeding up.
“Have you ever wanted a different life?” he asks her solemnly.
“Sometimes. Doesn’t everyone?” she says, snuggling closer to him.
“If you could have the exact life that you always wanted, what would you do to get it?” he asks her, and she looks puzzled.
“You mean like rob a bank or something?” she jokes.