Chapter 23 #2
I literally have no response. Anything I type will encourage her, and she doesn't need help. I put the phone back down and sigh. “She’ll be here in a few minutes. I’m going to apologize for anything inappropriate she says now, so I don’t spend the entire dinner doing it.”
They all chuckled as if I were kidding, but they don’t know the little tornado they invited to dinner. My tornado, but still a fucking tornado.
Lizzy is walking up the stairs a few minutes later, escorted by the hostess, who now looks thoroughly perturbed and confused, before she walks back down.
I hold my breath and grip the table when Lizzy awkwardly clasps her hands in front of her and nods into a small bow.
“Greetings and Salutations, gentlemen.” She pops up and looks at me. “Boo.”
“Lizzy,” I say, walking over to her and giving her a hug.
“How did I do? I thought 4Ds was a little too informal for Bo La Vie.”
“A little?” I stifle a laugh.
“Well, you know. First time meeting them, and all. Want to make a good impression. Not because I want to be in the harem. Obvi. I mean, who would get whom? And Tony’s great.
” She beams and grabs my shoulders. “They’re much more handsome when they’re all together at the same time,” she whispers.
“So maybe I will need an application for hot man harem master.”
“Please behave,” I implore softly.
“Boo boo. You don’t have to tell me three times.”
I cast a weary glance at her and lead her over to the table, officially introducing her to the other part of my life. The part that’s been mostly off-limits until tonight.
Each guy stands up and gives her a hug. As she takes her seat by Jax, her cheeks are flush and she’s fanning herself. Being her usual self, she jumps right into conversation, making small talk about how handsome they are and how pleased she is to see me happy again.
The server walks over and gets Lizzy’s drink order—a lemon drop martini—then takes our order.
Emmett chooses several appetizers for the table before we order our entrée. Lizzy waves off the server since she’s already eaten, and says she’ll just pick at the apps. She wasn’t about to pass up an invitation to eat dinner with the guys.
Dinner goes by unexpectedly smooth and normal. Lizzy surprises me by being on her best behavior and not saying anything embarrassing, even though there were moments when she clearly stored away some comments for later. I could see that look in her eyes like a crazy gremlin after getting wet.
After dinner, the guys try to convince me to come home with them, but I tell them no.
If tomorrow is our big talk, then I need to take the night to compile a list of pros and cons, and then convince myself why the cons don’t matter.
If I go to their house, we’ll end up having mind-blowing sex, and I won’t give the thought to this that it deserves.
Lizzy offers to take me home, but I decline her too, opting for my good pal Betty.
She’s at Bo’s ten minutes later with a smile plastered on her face, wearing what looks to be a nightgown with rubber ducks on it.
“Well, slap me silly, darling,” she says, peeking through her passenger window.
I give each of the guys a hug since they refuse to leave until they see me off, and then give Lizzy a hug, who doesn’t leave because I’m sure she’s gathering more intel for whatever crazy thoughts she’s thinking.
As we pull away, I toss them a wave.
When we get to the light, Betty turns around and looks at me. “Have a good night? I hope you don’t mind what I’m wearing. I was going to change then thought, well shit, why? It’s my girl, Everlee.”
I chuckle. “What you’re wearing is totally fine. I wish I were wearing it, too.”
“I put on a bra if that makes you feel better.”
She pulls down the road, and I notice the clothing store Emmett mentioned a few shops down and chuckle to myself. All three businesses lined up in a row.
I let out a satisfied sigh, feeling a wave of contentment wash over me.
“Good night?”
“The best.”
“I’ve been wanting to try that place out, but it’s so expensive for sandwiches.”
“Betty. When I tell you they are orgasmic.” I blow out a satisfied puff of air. “It’s worth it.”
“Orgasmic, you say?” Her voice ticks up an octave.
“Orgasmic.”
“I was talking to Lizzy the other night after her engagement, and she said she wanted to have the reception there. So who knows? Maybe I’ll get to try it then.”
“It would be a great venue.”
“She was so darn fa-lute-en happy that night. She was trying to call you in the car, but she couldn’t between her squealing and kissing that man.”
“I’m really excited for her.”
“When are you getting married? I’m sure one of those handsome men you were with tonight would love to make an honest woman out of you.”
“Betty!” I snap playfully. “Why do you assume I want to be an honest woman?”
She throws her head back in a fit of laughter and hits the steering wheel. “You kids these days.”
“I don’t know if I will ever get married.” Am I saying this because I believe it, or because I’m preparing myself for tomorrow night?
I yawn and rest my head on the window.
“Well, here we are, dearie. You try to get some rest tonight.”
“Thanks Betty. Good seeing you.”
“You too, darling. Glad to see you out and about again.” She pats my knee.
I tip her through the app, then step out. I have a feeling that even though the sandman is banging on my door, I won’t get any sleep. Tomorrow is a big day… and probably night.