But I only had eyes for her.
“You look beautiful,” I said for what must have been the millionth time since she opened her door some twenty minutes before. And she did. The blue of her gown was a perfect complement to her eyes, its material thin and gauzy with details embroidered over the places I wanted most to see.
Her makeup was subtle, her lips glossy as she smiled up at me, her hair half up and half down. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
The past few days had been so much fun, considering I’d only connected with her over texts. She’d watched the games as promised, and she was really turning into my lucky charm. Not only had we blasted through our slump, we were on a winning streak.
“How’re you feeling?” I darted my eyes down her body, staring with mock lasciviousness down there. Okay, maybe it wasn’t mock, but she shook her head as cameras flashed around us. “Seriously, are you okay?” The way she had described it by text, the experience had been horrible. And funny. I loved this girl’s sense of humor.
When she looked up at me, my spirits sank. “It was seriously one of the worst things that has ever happened to me. My skin is raw. I’m sore and can barely walk. I’ll probably need to take a two-week raincheck on that sex thing. Is that alright?”
Two weeks?
I seriously to God thought I might cry.
“Sure. I mean, yes, of course. Whatever you need.”
She laughed and shoulder checked me so hard, I nearly fell sideways. “Just kidding.”
Laughing too, I swept her up and swung her around, not giving a damn about the people or media on all sides. Lifting her until she was eye level, I asked, “So does that mean…?”
Her face turned serious. “Nope. Will she, or won’t she? The question remains.”
Setting her on her feet again, I feign disappointment. “Fickle females. The bane of my existence.”
Inside, the ballroom was decorated in white and silver. Everywhere I looked was elegance — sparkling lights, pressed white tablecloths, white roses in silver vases. Waiters walked around the room holding gold trays filled with Dom Pérignon champagne and bite-sized appetizers. Eliana gasped, taking in everything at once.
“I’m really proud that you’re with me tonight, Eliana.”
She smiled, and her eyes sparkled in the lights. The pull between us grew, like gravity had changed direction and was pushing us together. I bent to take her lips, needing to see if she tasted as sweet as she looked.
“Eliana, darling. You’re here.”
Barbie’s voice was like nails on a chalkboard and Eliana jumped back, turning in her mother’s direction. I leaned down and whispered, “Remember, we’re a couple. I’ve got your back.”
I felt her exhale as she leaned back into me. Circling my arms around her, I gave her my protection and an excuse to not be pulled into an awkward embrace. I shouldn’t have bothered. Barbie air kissed her from nearly a foot away.
“Kane, so good to see you too,” Barbie said, her voice several decibels too loud. “I’ve heard the Beasts are doing well. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
The silence stretched as Barbie seemed to search for something to say. Her eyes lit up as she thought of it. “Darling, you look lovely. I’m not sure I would have selected that particular shade of blue, but—”
I growled. “Her dress is perfect. Fresh and young, and different. It stands out from the typical boring black the elders wear.”
Barbie’s hands twitched on the black skirt of her too-tight gown. She forced a smile. “So true. Are your parents here yet?”
“They were running late. I’m sure they will be here shortly.”
“Well, be sure to find me and make an introduction. I’m sure they’ll be relieved to know that their son is dating a good person and not some…” her eyes hardened, “porn star or something.”
Eliana stiffened. “Mother!”
“Excuse me, I see the Bradshaws, and I must…” She was gone before she’d said what she must do.
“I’m sorry, Kane,” Eliana said, turning in my arms.
I kissed the tip of her nose but was cursing under my breath. Barbie had clearly been doing her research. “Never apologize for that woman. Understand?”
She brushed something from my lapel. “I think I’ve been doing that for a long time.”
I scanned the room and noticed a couple over by the bar. Mom and Dad. Another scan located my grandmother. Dad looked rather dapper in his tuxedo, Mom very elegant in a shimmering silver gown that accentuated her dark coloring.
“I’ve got someone I want you to meet.”
I couldn’t have felt more proud than I did with Eliana at my side as we crossed the ballroom. Dad saw us approaching and started to wave, but I held a finger to my lips. He smiled broadly and let us approach.
“Hey, gorgeous,” I said into my mother’s ear.
She whipped around and launched herself at me. “Oh my goodness, I wasn’t expecting you tonight. What a wonderful, wonderful surprise.”
A hand came down on my shoulder, and I got a side hug from Dad. “Looking good, son. Great hit the other night.” He peered over his glasses at Eliana. “Who’s this?”
I turned, and Mom turned with me, still holding on tight. Meeting Eliana’s eyes, I took her hand and pulled her into the circle of my parents. She hesitated, and I pulled harder, tucking her into my side. “Mom, Dad, this is Eliana Anderson. Eliana, my parents, Milton and Marsha Steele.”
Just as I expected, Mom wrapped Eliana in her arms, giving her the warmest of welcomes. “It’s so very good to meet you, dear. It’s not often I get the opportunity to meet one of Kane’s…” she looked up at me for assistance.
“Girlfriend. Eliana is my girlfriend.”
Mom looked stunned for a second, then blinked and returned to her normal warm self. “Look, Milton, Kane has a girlfriend.”
Dad chortled. “I can see that. Very good to meet you, Eliana. Will you be coming for brunch tomorrow as well? I’d love to get to know you outside of this boisterous place.”
She looked up at me, a question in her eyes. I nodded, and she grinned. “Yes, Mr. Steele. I’d be happy to join you.”
“Call me Milton. I insist.”
“And I’m Marsha,” Mom piped in, finally letting her go and stepping back. “Such a lovely dress. Almost as lovely as you.”
Eliana blushed as expected, then something else happened. Her nose turned pink, and her eyes grew shiny. Was she about to cry?
“Are you alright, dear?” Mom asked, lifting her hand to Eliana’s forehead.
A flood of love hit me as I realized how lucky I was. I had a wonderful dad, a terrific mother. A Nana who might be a little pushy but only wanted the best for me. I knew in my heart that if I didn’t want to give up baseball in five years, they would understand and love me anyway. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Eliana had none of that, and to be embraced by such a loving family had to be overwhelming.
“Kane Bartholomew, you sly devil. Turn around here and give your nana a hug.”