25. The President Gala
The President Gala
Bex
T he Zeta house looks like a replica of the Versailles palace.
Candace and her sisters went all out for the President's Gala, and as I enter the sorority house on Jamie’s arm, followed by Connor and Keene, I feel like a million bucks.
Jamie convinced me to buy a floor-length black dress with a sweetheart neckline and a deep slit on one side that shows off my legs. The thing I love the most about it though is that the light fabric is woven with glitter that shimmers under the lights every time I move.
My hair is curled up in glamorous 1930s waves, and my makeup is classy, with emphasis on my eyes with neutral colors and dramatic lashes and on my blood-red lips.
The look is completed by silver strappy heels that might not be the easiest to walk in, but it’s ok because I don’t plan on walking that much tonight.
Dancing will be the only form of exercise I’m going to be doing, and I have three—four if you count Luke—dance partners who will let me lean on them if needed.
Of course, the guys look good enough to eat in their tailored tuxedos; Jamie is in a classic black tux, Connor opted for charcoal gray, and Keene is in a navy blue one that makes his ice-blue eyes pop even more than usual.
Even on five-inch heels, my men tower over me by at least one foot each.
The gala has been delayed by a whole month because of a mixup with the catering company’s availability, but I can see why Candace insisted on using their trusted caterer.
“The food looks stunning.” I say to the Zeta president, who comes to hug me followed by her boyfriend Corey.
“Isn’t it?” my friend beams. “You need to try the mini stuffed mushrooms; they’re the best thing on that table.”
A groan comes from Corey. “Yeah, try that. Stay away from the rest, especially the faux-lobster puffs. You’ll see.”
The word “faux” raises a red flag, and I’m about to ask Candace what her boyfriend means.
“Shut up.” Candace hisses, her smile fading as she turns her back to the buffet and links her arm with mine.
“What’s up? Is anything wrong?”
The Zeta president lowers her voice. “Remember how there was a mixup with the dates, so we had to delay? Well, somehow the booking got screwed up, and the menu they prepared was the same menu that was served a month ago at the convention they double booked us with. All the food you see is vegan.”
I’m very familiar with vegan food. Most of the personalized menus prepared by the nutritionist and the chef hired by my father were heavily leaning toward vegan food.
“That in itself isn’t a problem, right? I mean, I get it that the guys might miss some more hearty items, but there’s some delicious vegan food out there and everything looks great. ”
“Looks is the keyword.” Candace sighs. “The group that ordered this original catering are extreme dieters. The food you see is not only vegan, but fat-free, sugar-free, MSG-free, extra low in sodium and in calories. I tried one of the water chestnut scallops wrapped in beetroot bacon and I had to very discreetly spit it inside a napkin.”
Oh boy.
This is the same type of food we survived on at Pure Shine .
At the beginning, when the private chef moved in and the nutritionist was hired, we got some lighter but tasty fare.
But as my father’s rules became stricter and his control more rigorous, we ended up with something similar to what’s on offer tonight at this gala.
The food had no flavor, but it looked great, because Dad insisted on it being social media worthy to be featured in our lifestyle posts.
“At least it looks pretty.” I say to Candace in an attempt to soften the blow.
“Yeah,” she sighs. “The only thing that’s really good is the Champagne.”
I feel bad for the Zeta president. I know how hard she and her executive committee worked to make this party a night to remember.
Corey isn’t the only hockey player who’s disappointed with tonight’s catering.
Several of the players have been placing their full plates back on the trays of hors d’oeuvres rather than helping themselves to more food.
“Luke!” Candace whines when she catches my brother pretending to forget his own plate on one corner of the buffet table. “You too? Come on, you’re the team captain. If you encourage them, the guys will follow your lead and at least pretend to like the food.”
My twin brother looks handsome in a tailored blue tuxedo with sparkly fabric on the lapels and a matching bow tie.
“I’m sorry, Candace.” He whispers, wrapping one muscular arm around my arms and kissing the side of my head in greeting. “But the thing that’s supposed to be pigs in blankets disintegrated in my mouth like sawdust.”
Candace has no chance to say anything in response, because Tucker appears on our side.
“Not to worry, guys. Talia told me about the mixup with the food, and I came up with a solution. She spoke to her boss at Joe’s.
You’re lucky that it’s low season. He’s going to have burgers and fried pickles delivered within two hours.
Maybe a little late for dinner, but you can continue with tonight’s planned activities, and I’m sure everyone will love a snack after dancing. ”
Tucker’s attempt to help, however, isn’t received how the Cove Knights’ goalie was hoping.
“Burger and fried pickles? Tucker, this is a gala. Do you know what that word means?”
Tucker might be an acquired taste, but I like him. Despite his often boisterous antics, it’s obvious that deep down he’s a sweetheart.
“Would you prefer pizza? I can cancel the burgers if you want.”
The Zeta president rolls her eyes. “No, there’s no point. I guess it’s better to go down as the president who served burgers and pickles at a gala than the one who starved everyone. And to think that the food doesn’t look that bad. It’s just inedible.”
“You’ll see; it’s gonna be fine. Talia explained the situation, and they’re doing sliders.
So it will still be finger food. And her boss is giving us Talia’s employee discount.
I also got Dave to agree to get Gamma Delta Tau to foot the bill, since you already had to pay for all of this other food. ”
Candace’s squeal takes us all by surprise, including Tucker, when she launches herself in his arms. “Oh my God, Tuck. You saved me. You saved the gala. I owe you. Name anything you want, and it’s yours.”
Knowing Tucker, I brace myself for an X-rated request. But I guess he was serious when he promised me to get his drinking under control and to do better after trying to grope me at the art center.
“You don’t owe me anything. This is what friends do for a friend in need. But if you really want to thank me, save me a dance tonight. Is that ok?”
“Done.” Candace beams. “Let me go speak to the catering guy in the kitchen. Hopefully, they can take away all this food to make space for the burgers. In the meantime, can you ask Talia to tell the string quartet that we want to dance? We need the music to be a little louder for that.”
Jamie wraps one arm around my waist. “I can’t wait to dance with you, baby.” He smiles.
“Hold that thought, babe.” I kiss him on the cheek. “I need to go use the bathroom first. I’ll be right back.”
Bex
I follow Candace on the way to the kitchen, intending to use the half-bathroom on the ground floor, but there’s already a line of people waiting for it.
“Jesus.” Candace pinches the bridge of her nose. “I hope they all pre-gamed and they have to pee and that it’s not an effect of our catering offer.”
I hate seeing my friend so stressed out, so I do my best to reassure her.
“I bet it’s the pre-gaming. Connor bought Champagne to celebrate that Keene signed a contract with the San Francisco Paladins.
We got the news yesterday, and the guys are so excited that they’re going to be teammates next year too.
We had a pre-party toast tonight and I’ve had a few glasses, so now I’m paying the price. ”
Candace slips two fingers inside the corset top of her pink evening gown. “Here, go to the bathroom in the room you stayed in last time Jamie had an away game.”
“Oh?” I take the key card she offers me. “I thought the door was opened using a biometric lock?”
“Yeah,” the Zeta president confirms. “But since you stayed there, we finally appointed a treasurer. So, Fiona moved into that room, and the lock is now set on her biometrics. That’s the only universal key that opens every door in the house.
Privilege of the president in the case of a software failure or an emergency situation.
On second thought, go to my room. The girls don’t like anyone to go into their rooms during parties, unless they bring someone upstairs, of course.
So all the doors on the two upper floors are locked. ”
I look at the card in my hand. “Thank you. I’m gonna give it back to you as soon as I’m done.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiles. “I trust you won’t drop it in the toilet by accident. Don’t ask; it’s happened before.” She says with an eye roll.
“Don’t worry, you’ll have it back before you know it. I can’t wait to dance with Jamie, so I’ll be quick.”
Candace squeezes my hand. “I have to tell you, I’m so happy for you and Jamie.
I can see how smitten he is with you, and I know you are too; it’s obvious by the way you look at him.
He’s a changed man compared to the player we all used to know.
And his finding love made all his teammates reevaluate their choices, and a lot of them are looking for something more meaningful than a hookup these days.
Look at Corey. I don’t think he would have asked me out on a proper date without Jamie’s example. ”
“I’m glad things worked out for you.” I smile.
I guess the Dean will be pleased too. He was right that Jamie is one of the most popular guys on campus and that the hockey team would follow his lead. I’m just glad that his plan brought me and Jamie together, even if our relationship started out as fake.