I straighten out my dress and stare at myself in the mirror and smile. I decided to wear the gown Fisher sent to me at the gala tonight and it’s beautiful. The black sequins sparkle in the light. It’s off the shoulder and makes my breasts look full and plump. The man has excellent taste. I shouldn’t be surprised.
I’m just about to slip on my shoes when my phone rings. Could he be early for once? I shuffle to the phone. I don’t recognize the number, but I answer anyway.
“Hello?”
“It’s me. I had to borrow a phone to call you.”
“I was just thinking about you.”
“I’m so sorry, but I’m going to be late. We’ve done five takes of this scene and the director wasn’t happy with the lighting, so we’re doing another in fifteen minutes.”
“Oh. Okay. No problem.” My heart drops into my stomach.
“I’m going to be there. I promise. Don’t think I’m standing you up, because I’m not.”
I nod and take a deep breath to hold it together. “I understand. You have to work. It comes first.”
I hear someone call his name in the background. “Okay, on my way. I have to go. I’m sorry I can’t be there to pick you up. Text me the address and I’ll be there as soon as I can. You save all those dances for me.”
“Be careful. Good luck.”
He ends the call without saying goodbye. I’m sure he was in a rush, but I can’t help but wonder if he’ll make it at all. I slip on my shoes, grab my handbag and keys, and walk out the door. Once I’m in the car, I text him the address. I have a pep talk with myself all the way there. I arrive at a quarter to seven and silently berate myself for always being early. I should know better. I don’t want to be the first one. Ugh.
By six fifty-nine I can’t stand waiting another second.
“Ms. Greer. Thank you so much for joining us. We’re honored to have you as our guest tonight. Thank you again for the generous donation. We placed you and your guest at table five just across the dance floor.”
She glances behind me. “You did say you had a guest?”
“Yes, he’s running late with work.”
“Oh certainly. Can we get you a drink?”
I shake my head and roll my eyes as I walk to my table. I’ve known her for years, and she and I both know I’ve never brought a date. I’d bet money that she’s thinking I said I had a date just so I could not look pathetic. I bet she feels sorry for me. Heck, I feel sorry for me.
Reaching into my purse, I pull out my phone and text Luna.
Me: Where are you?
Luna: It started at seven. Please tell me you and Mr. Smolder aren’t already there?
Me: I’m here alone. As uz…
Luna: What? Okay, I’m rushing. We’ll be there in a jiffy.
I slide my phone back into my purse. This should be a blast. A man carrying a tray of champagne walks by. I take two. He frowns.
“Don’t judge me,” I say as he walks away. This night can’t possibly get any worse.
I watch couple after couple enter the room. I start to feel uneasy, so I decide to make a trip to the restroom. It’s really nice inside. There’s even a couch. I sit on the couch near the door and make myself comfortable. There’s no one here. Shit, I could stay here all night. I smile to myself at the idea.
I’m not sure how much time passes, but the bathroom starts bustling with activity. I sit on my couch and watch woman after woman come in to fix her makeup or spray her hair. An older woman leaves her purse on the sink as she turns to exit. I tap her on the arm when she walks by me. “Excuse me, I think you forgot something.” I point to it and she gasps.
“Thank you, dear.”
She whispers to her friend, “They always have such nice help.”
She hands me a five as she leaves the room. That’s when I decide it’s time to go. I bypass the hall and head straight to my car. I’m just about to climb inside when I hear my name shouted across the lot.
“Macy! Macy, don’t you dare!”
I cringe as guests eyeball me and Luna as she sprints toward me in her gown. I can see from her date’s expression that he doesn’t know what to think.
“What the fuck?” she huffs as she approaches. She stops and bends at the waist to catch her breath. She’s holding her shoes in her hand. “Were you really leaving?”
“I don’t want to do this. I don’t belong here. Some lady thought I was staff and tried to tip me.”
“You don’t look like staff to me. Is that Fisher’s dress?” she asks, eyes wide. “That man is going to bust a nut when he sees you. Is he here yet?”
“I have a feeling he’s not going to show. He had to work late. There have been nights he didn’t get done until two in the morning. Knowing my luck, this will be another of those nights.”
“How many times have I told you about the law of attraction? Think positive, sister.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
A man walks up next to Luna and she leans on him as she puts on her shoes. “Tiger, Macy. Macy, Tiger.”
“Tyler?” I ask for clarification.
“No, Tiger,” he corrects. “Like a lion.”
“Got it. You two go ahead. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Oh, hell no. If I turn my back, you’re going to leave. Come inside. Now.”
I sigh and walk with her because she’s right. I would have left. I wish this night were over.
Luna knows a lot of people. She stops every few feet and introduces me to everyone she knows. If the pronunciation of Tiger’s name was a drinking game, I’d be wasted by now. I pass the time making mental note how many times he has to correct people from Tyler to Tiger. At one point he claws the air to get the point across to an older woman. She nods politely and then cringes as she struts away. I find myself actually having fun. It might be at Tiger’s expense, but he doesn’t seem to mind.
We sit through a slideshow presentation, speech, and a dinner. I glance at my phone several times. Still nothing from Fisher. It’s after nine and deep in my soul, I know he’s not coming. I feel it.
The band begins to play and couples make their way to the dance floor. “Do you mind if we dance?” Luna asks nervously.
“Gosh no. Please go for it.” I smile brightly because I don’t want her to feel sorry for me. As soon as she’s distracted on the floor, I decide to make a run for the bathroom so I can avoid watching the dance fest for yet another year. Maybe my couch is open.
Just as I stand, I feel a tap on my shoulder. “May I have this dance?”
I spin excitedly, thinking Fisher made it after all.
“Hello, Greer.”
My mouth drops and I feel like I may lose my chicken dinner. “Ollie? What are you doing here?”
He points across the dance floor to a skinny blonde in pink as she laughs with a group of men by the bar. “My girlfriend asked me to come. How could I say no?”
I cock my head to the side. Did he just say what I thought he said? “Aww, did you break up with grandma?”
“Don’t call her that. And if you mean Wanda, then no, I still see her from time to time.”
Wanda. What a name for a whore. He broke up our marriage over an old fish. “Does little Suzzie Q know you’re playing the field?”
“Why, are you jealous?”
I roll my eyes and turn away.
“You look good. Have you lost weight?”
I sigh. “What do you want?”
“I heard about the book and movie deal. Congratulations. I always knew you’d be successful. You’ve always been so talented.”
“How would you know? You never even read one of my books.”
“That’s water under the bridge now, isn’t it?” He takes a step closer and rubs my bare shoulder with the tips of his fingers. “The truth is, I miss you. How about we step outside and catch up in my car?”
I’m going to spew. “Eww. No. Didn’t you say you had a date?”
He glances over at her and back at me. “If we make it quick, she won’t notice. Come on. Once more for old time’s sake?”
“I’d rather have my head chopped off, shit poured down my neck, and my head placed on backward for the rest of my life than let you touch me one more time.”
He snickers and takes my wrist in his hand as I try to walk away. “Okay, then I’ll settle for a dance. You owe me that, don’t you think?”
I hear him before I see him. “I’m afraid all her dances belong to me.”
He’s still a few feet away when he says it and I watch him strut over to me in slow motion. He’s got that Kevin Bacon “Footloose” thing going on as he crosses the dance floor in his black tuxedo and perfectly coiffed hair. I moan lightly in approval as I hum the song in my mind.
“Hey, sweetheart, sorry I’m late.” He kisses me directly on the lips and pauses to stare into my eyes before he turns his attention to Oliver. “Would you like to introduce me to this douchebag who apparently thinks he has the right to touch you?”
I snicker as he holds out his hand to Oliver, who refuses to shake it back while I introduce them. “Oliver Buckner, this is Patrick Fisher. Fisher, meet my ex douchebag.” Fisher recoils his hand and smirks.
“I’m sorry did you say Oliver Fucker? That’s appropriate.”
“Buck-ner,” Oliver corrects angrily. “Or maybe you should just call me Greer’s husband.”
“You forgot the ‘ex’ part. You’re shorter and uglier than I imagined. Huh. I’d like to say it’s nice to meet you, but that would be a lie. Would you like to dance?” he asks, turning to face me.
“I’d love to.”
He takes my arm and wraps it in his but turns back to Oliver before leading me away. “And for the record, if you ever touch her again, I’ll break every bone in your body. Have a good night.”
My lips press into a fine line to avoid laughing, but as he spins me gracefully onto the dance floor, I can’t help but let it loose.
“I leave you alone for one second . . .” He smiles as he pulls me against him. The band is playing “Fly Me to the Moon,” but Fisher sways with me like it’s much slower, placing my hand in his against his chest. “I’m so sorry I’m late. Can you ever forgive me?”
“You were forgiven the moment I heard your voice.”
He steps back and twirls me around. “Is this my dress?”
“It is. I thought I’d finally see if it fit.”
“It fits. You look absolutely stunning. Oh, your surprise just arrived.”
He nods off to his right and Chloe waves in the distance. I gasp and run off to hug her. “What are you doing here?” I ask.
“Fisher mentioned a gala for a good cause and I’m all about dressing up, so here I am!”
“You look beautiful!”
“So do you. Oh see, Fish, I knew this would fit her.”
He shrugs. “I had no idea what size you were.”
“Girl, I knew the minute I saw it that this dress was made for you. Now what was all that I missed? You looked like you were about to pounce on that creepy dude over there.”
“That’s my ex. He brought a date but was trying to get me to leave to have sex with him.”
“What?” Fisher asks, gritting his teeth. “That deserves a punch in the mouth.”
I pull him back and Chloe says, “Why don’t you let me take care of him? You two have fun.” She rolls her tongue around her teeth and scowls like she has a horrible taste in her mouth. Then she plasters a fake smile on her face and struts over to him.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Don’t worry. Chloe can take care of herself. She’s probably tougher than I am.”
I watch as Oliver falls all over himself to talk to her. After a few minutes he’s dancing with her. Never mind that she’s taller than him. She winks at us as he twirls her around the floor.
“Are you all right?” Fisher asks. “I hate that you were here all alone.”
“I was for a while because I got here way too early. I was about to leave, but Luna stopped me.” I motion to her and Tiger on the dance floor. She sees me and waves to Fisher. She licks her finger and touches it to her hip like it’s hot.
I roll my eyes and gaze down at the floor. Fisher lifts my chin with his fingers. “I promised I’d be here. I’d never let you down.”
I smile as I gaze up into his eyes. I don’t know why I always doubt him. He’s always come through for me. He’s amazing.
“Dance with me?” he asks.
For a moment, I forget there’s anyone else in the room. He leads me out to the floor and pulls me close. I lean my head on his chest and take a deep breath. He’s here. I couldn’t have invented a better man. I’m one lucky girl.