Tova and Donny engaged in what only could be described as tonsil exploration, and I turned my back to them as much as I could without ripping a slit into the other side of my dress.
The streets of Seattle flashed by my window, and as we made our way through the city, I felt a deep and abiding loneliness settle in my chest. The night felt auspicious, and like something that should be shared with the people I loved. I thought with longing of the intimate party Manda had suggested hosting long before she knew I was expected at tonight’s command performance. On an impulse, I knocked on the window separating our seating from the driver.
“Can we make a quick pit stop before going to the restaurant?”
A few minutes later, Tova and Donny barely came up for air when the car rolled to a stop outside Manda’s house. My heels clicked with optimism as I hurried up the steps of the Henricks’ front porch. When Manda came to the door, her hands flew up to her mouth.
“Oh, wow. Wow, wow, wow, wow, and wow.” She reached for me and gathered me into an aggressive, spine-mangling hug. “Charlie,” she said into my hair, “you are so beautiful.” She snapped back to attention. “But what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be at the debut party.”
I nodded toward the limo. “We’re on our way. I made them take a quick detour.” I grabbed her shoulders. “Can you come with me, Manda? Please? Just put on your favorite dress or pants or whatever and come.”
“Charlie—”
I shook her shoulders a bit. “Manda, please. Tova is making out with an underwear model in the backseat of that limo, and I want to be with someone who knows me and loves me tonight.”
Zara wiggled out from under the arm Manda was using to prop open the door. “Holy smokes,” she breathed. “Auntie Charlie, you look like a movie star.” She peeked behind me. “Is that a limousine? Am I dreaming this moment?”
Manda pulled her daughter back toward the house. “Charlie, I’m so sorry. I would love to come, but I can’t.” Her eyes were mournful. “Zara has her school open house tonight. They’re putting on a little play, and she’s the lead alien.”
I looked down and noticed for the first time that Zara was in a purple leotard with matching tights. Her hair was pulled into severe Princess Leia cinnamon roll braids. My spirits sank.
“Of course you can’t go,” I said, forcing a brave smile. “I shouldn’t have waited so long to think of it.”
Manda looked as if she were about to throw herself in front of the limo as penance. “I’m so sorry, Charlie.”
“Don’t think one more minute about it.” The resolve had returned to my voice. “I’m sorry to make you feel sorry. Now give me a hug, you Henrick women, and wish me luck on my grand ball.”
Zara swooned into the skirt of my dress. “My auntie is going to a ball. This is the best day of my life.” She pulled back abruptly. “Where’s the prince?”
I made a face. “Gross. Who needs a prince? Princesses are totally capable of having fantastic times at balls without having princes along.”
Manda had grown conspicuously silent and was staring at a point beyond me. I turned and felt my stomach drop.
“Have a great time,” Manda whispered, herding a protesting Zara back into the house before shutting the door with a definitive click.
I kept a vigilant focus on my feet as I descended the porch stairs. Kai waited for me on the sidewalk. He leaned against the worn pickets of the Henricks’ fence. One side of his mouth pulled upward in a wry smile.
“Chef Garrett.”
“Chef Malloy,” I said, chin tilting upward at his cool tone.
“I’m assuming you’re not headed in for prep work in that get-up.”
I met his gaze and fired back as much ammo as I could muster, which was no small feat considering what his eyes could still do to me. “Tonight is the debut episode. There’s a party at Thrill. I think we talked about it a while ago, but I …”
“Ahh,” he said, nodding. “The debut episode. I remember. I’ll be sure to set the DVR. See what you’ve been up to.”
The cut of those words was intentional, I was sure. My chest rose and fell with rapid breathing. “I’d better go.” My legs felt wobbly as I teetered away, all the afternoon’s practice walking in heels a wash as I pushed toward the limo.
“Charlie, you look beautiful.” His words sounded pained, but I didn’t dare look back. Our damage was done.
“Say hello to Sunshine for me.” The lilt of my voice made my meaning unmistakable. I allowed myself to turn as the driver opened the door to the back seat.
Kai’s brow was creased. “Sunshine?”
I nodded but said no more. How does it feel, I wanted to fire off, getting spied on? At least your private moment wasn’t broadcast nationally. Climbing into the limo, my hands shook as I took a glass of champagne from Tova. She grinned at me, cheeks flushed.
“Here’s to the best night ever!” Donny was too busy downing what was left in his glass to clink with Tova and me.
I held my champagne flute in clammy fingers, letting the amber liquid grow warm before finally choking it down.
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