Lucky Number Four (32 page)

“Happy tears, I hope.”

I nod my head and drag him in for another
hug.

“Now go and try it on. I know it’ll fit, but
I want to see it on you, and I promised your mom I would take a
picture and send it to her.”

“Yeah, like she’ll be able to open it on her
phone. Jeff I…I love you, and I don’t think I tell you that
enough.”

“And I love you too, so move your cute little
butt and do some modeling for me. You’re going to leave them
breathless tonight.”

I release a squeal and then laugh when Jeff
covers his ears. I make a beeline for the bathroom to take a quick
shower. I’m not trying on that amazing creation with dirty
skin—okay, so unwashed-since-yesterday skin.

“Dora, I thought you were going to take a
quick shower, but it’s been more than an hour,” Jeff says through
the closed door.

“Come in. I’m just putting lotion on my legs.
I want to look perfect for my perfect outfit. At least I don’t have
to paint my toenails, not that anyone will see them in my shoes.
How should I wear my hair, up or down? And makeup? Subtle but still
sexy? Don’t stand there, help me.” Yeah, I know I’m whining a bit.
I really want to make everyone notice me.

“Slow down there, fireball. We have a few
hours before the event, and I ordered pizza. Before you say
anything, I made it half vegetable for me and half sausage for
you.”

“Have I told you lately how much I love
you?”

“Yes, about an hour ago, but I’ll never tire
of it. Just remember this moment when you get angry next time, and
remind yourself how wonderful of a friend I am to you,” he
laughs.

“You’re more than a friend. You’re my soul
mate,” I say and watch his eyebrow rise at my statement.

“But I’m gay. We can’t be soul mates.”

“Yes, we can. My mom says so. Everyone thinks
that when you marry or are in love with someone that they’re your
soul mate, but it can be anyone. We hit it off immediately, and I
feel like I’ve known you forever and can trust you with anything.
So, we’re soul mates.”

“I need to buy you clothes more often. I
didn’t know you felt like this. I felt that instant connection too,
but always shrugged it off as something new for me to explore. But
you just nailed it. Your mom is right, as usual. Of course, she has
Henry, so is that really fair?” he says, putting his hands on his
hips and cocking his head to one side with a cheeky smile on his
face. He laughs. “We definitely have our work cut out for us, don’t
we? It’s going to take hours to get you just right.”

I giggle with a playful glare as he squeezes
my waist. Why can’t Jeff be my soul mate and my real mate forever?
Life isn’t fair.

Two hours later—I had to paint my
fingernails, and it took me forever to pick out a color from my
stash—I can’t believe what I’m seeing in the mirror. I know it’s
me, but frickin’ hell, it sure doesn’t look like me. I truly look
like I just stepped out of a fashion magazine. I’m not bragging.
Jeff said the same thing when we were done.

“Smile for the camera. No, a smile, not a
grimace. I want to see those pearly whites of yours”

I stick out my tongue and then I pose like
I’m really on a photo shoot. Or what I think of when I think photo
shoot.

“That’s it. Work it…work it…turn to your
left…now your right. And pout.”

It’s like he’s reading my mind, and I can’t
wait to see the photos. I’ll have to choose the most respectable
one to send to my mom, but like I said, hopefully she’ll be able to
open it on her phone. She wanted a smartphone for her birthday this
year because her best girlfriend got one. The only problem is that
she’s extremely knowledgeable about the spirit world, but is so
challenged with modern technology. Even her computer doesn’t like
her. That’s what she says anyways. At least she can work the
computer to some extent, but her phone is a different story. She’s
the mistress of butt dialing, forgetting to charge the phone, and
complaining about how much social media takes up her time. I’m on
her friend’s list. She threatened me as she did Taylor and Bridget,
so we’re careful what we post because Big Mother is watching.

“Is that really me?” I can’t believe it’s
really me in the pics he’s taken. I’m not vain, but I think I kind
of love this look and can’t wait for the others to see me. “Is it
time yet?” I look anxiously at the clock and realize we have an
hour to go until reveal time.

“For the hundredth time, it’s you, and no,
you have to be patient. I want you to make an entrance after
everyone has arrived. I want to make the male population drool and
the females turn green with envy. I predict they will, and every
man but the gay people and Kevin will want to get in your pants. I
mean, your red bra and panties. Just think if you made an entrance
in only those and your shoes. A riot would ensue.”

“Yeah, I’d be arrested for exposing fat in a
room full of skinnies.”

“For the last effing time, you’re not fat,
you’re just right.”

I’m feeling a little nervous. What if I look
like a joke to these beautiful people? “Promise me you’ll stick to
me like glue in there. Please don’t leave me alone.”

“Darlin’,” Jeff drapes his arm around my
shoulders and pulls me to him. We stare at each other in my
full-length mirror. “You won’t be alone tonight, but if it’s glue
you want, glue you will get until you tell me to get lost.”

The minutes seem to drag on and Jeff is
lounging on the couch watching some apocalyptic movie, all calm as
people are screaming and dying all over place.

“Grab that bottle of wine out of the fridge.
I think you need a pre-party drink to calm those nerves.”

I grab the bottle and two glasses and plop
down beside him. He takes the bottle from me. My hands are shaking
a little and I know the bottle cost a bomb, so I don’t want to
spill a drop.

“It’ll be fine. While you were in the
bathroom looking for antacids, I called Julie and told her to come
to your door a little early. They should be here any minute. See?
You’ll be surrounded by family, so nerves be gone.”

I take a sip and it’s smooth, sweet, and
perfect. A knock—more like a bang—sounds at my front door before it
swings opens and Julie and Kevin make their entrance.

“Are we ready to fucking party or what? Shit,
sorry, little one. Mommy’s trying really hard. More money for the
swear jar. Damn.” Julie stomps her foot and looks up from her
stomach. “Oh … my … freaking … God, you look incredible, Dora.
Seeing that dress on the hanger, I thought it was delish, but you
make it look like Jeff paid a million dollars for it. I would hug
you, but I don’t want to mess up anything. Kevin, wipe the drool
off your face. You married the right friend,” Julie jokes. He’s not
drooling, but he is staring at me like he’s seeing me for the first
time.

“Damn, girl, you clean up well,” he says in a
gangster voice, and everyone laughs because he sounds so corny
since it doesn’t fit the way he looks. Which, by the way, he’s
incredibly handsome in jet-black jeans and a white button-down
shirt complete with a purple tie. Julie looks just as wonderful in
her long white skirt and purple silky maternity blouse.

“You don’t look too bad yourself,” I say. “Of
course, it was probably all Julie who put you two together.”

Julie confirms by nodding and smiling
smugly.

“Hey, that wine looks expensive. Are you guys
going to share?” Kevin eyes the bottle, and yes, now he’s drooling.
The boy loves fine wine.

Seconds later, Kevin’s glass is full, Julie’s
nursing a bottle of water, and for the first time today I begin to
relax. I lay my head on the back of the couch, not worried about my
hair since it’s up in a high ponytail. The leather feels cool on my
neck, relaxing me even more. In fact, I think the two glasses of
wine were just the medicine I needed, even though I did made a pack
with myself to never drink the stuff again. I only hope when I get
off the couch I can still walk straight in these shoes.

The other three all make small talk, and I
close my eyes, wondering how I’ll act when I see the boys. I can’t
wait to hug Liam. I hope he’s ready to live his life the way he
wants to. The other two, well, I’m not interested. Okay, so I am a
little, but not stupid enough to go for it.

“Time to go, ladies and gent.” I open my eyes
and Jeff’s hand is eye level, waiting for me to grab it so he can
haul my butt up from the couch. “Kevin, get the door and you and
Julie go first. I want Dora to make a grand entrance.”

Jeff squeezes my arm, which is now linked
with his, and Kevin and Julie open the door. The place is packed.
People are everywhere. I don’t know if we four will even be able to
find a place to stand, never mind move about.

“So much for an entrance,” Jeff complains as
we push our way through the noisy throng.

“Attention, everyone. We’re opening up the
patio. I know it’s cold outside, but we have the heaters going, so
it should be pleasant. No, you won’t need your coats.”

I look toward the direction of the voice, but
can’t see over the tall heads in front of me. If you’re a woman and
are tall, why in the freaking hell do you wear high heels?

Amazingly, the crowd thins. I guess everyone
wants to be on the patio. At least we can breathe now. I’m letting
Jeff lead me to wherever we’re going. I lost track of Julie and
Kevin. I guess that’s the price I pay for being short. Jeff stops
abruptly, and I almost stumble, which would’ve been just great. I
peek around him to see what has him standing still. Liam is in
front of him, and he’s smiling wide. I move to stand at Jeff’s
side, and Liam’s eyes go from Jeff’s to mine, and he picks me up
and swings me around like I’m a toy doll.

“Darlin’, you look amazing, and I love you.
‘Thank you’ doesn’t begin to cover what you’ve done for me.”