experiments that we had going were extremely touch and go right now. We were literally on the verge of a breakthrough, and no one wanted to risk that toppling into the abyss.
The party had started a half hour ago, and I had to hurry.
The parking lot of the Hilton was packed with Mercedes’, Beamers, even limos. I closed and locked my Jeep, holding my dress as I hurried toward the building. I could hear the music playing as soon as I opened the doors to the lobby of the beautiful hotel.
I found the ballroom quickly, and stood at the door, looking for Haley. I had no idea what her date looked like, nor mine, for that matter.
Conversation around me stopped as heads turned, eyes on me. I could hear the whispers as I walked through the room. I looked damn good, and I knew it. I felt a pride race through me, and a confidence that eluded me on a daily basis. Tonight was different, and they all knew it.
'Andi.' I turned to my left, and my eyeballs nearly fell out of my head. Haley stood with two men, though they didn’t even register with me. Her dress was red, just one shade below bright red. Her shoulders were bare as the straps from the dress made their way up around her neck. I knew that dress was backless. Her breasts were well defined, and a bit of cleavage teased at the apex of the v-neckline. My eyes flowed down the length that stopped just shy of the floor, the slit along the left leg reaching to just above her knee.
Finally my eyes managed to find the face of the owner, and I saw that she wore a bit of make-up, a touch of dark on her lids to pronounce those electric eyes. Her hair was pulled up, loose tendrils falling around in a few places. Diamonds dangled from her ears, a matching necklace teasing to head between her breasts.
Finally shaking myself back into reality, I headed over to her. I watched her face as I walked toward her, surprised when her eyes were meeting mine. No, she was looking at me, taking in my dress, my hair, the small bit of jewelry I wore, all the way down to my shoes.
'Damn,' I muttered to myself. Again, it’s just not legal to be as gorgeous as she was. At least it should be a crime. I know my thoughts could get me in a whole heap of trouble.
'Look at you.' I looked up, seeing Haley smiling at me, but her eyes, dare I think they held a different message? I knew mine were hungry, though I was trying to hide it.
'Yes, look at me. I promised you some day.' I smiled, indicating the dress.
'Yes, you did. It was well worth the wait.' She whispered, then turned to the man she was standing with. 'Andi, this is John, John, Andi.'
'Yes, I’ve seen you around before. You certainly weren’t looking like this, however,' he said. He was handsome enough; dark hair, nice, squared jaw with tanned skin. The kind of guy whose vanity could outlast any woman’s.
'Hello.' I smiled politely.
'Andi, meet your date.' I turned, my eyes bulging.
'You remember my old friend, Tommy?' He looked at me, a wide smile on his face. God, he hadn’t changed a bit.
'Uh, of course. Hi, Tommy. How are you?' I extended my hand, and he took it, kissing my knuckles. I glanced at Haley, who had a smirk on her face. What was going on?
'Tommy will be your date for a few hours. His loved one had to work tonight.' I looked at him. Did she mean what I thought she meant?
'Your loved one?' I asked.
'Yes. You know how those doctors can be. Always on call, or at the hospital. Can be murder on a relationship.'
'Indeed.' I smiled.
'Would you care to dance?' I looked at Haley. She smiled, turning to John Severaux.
'Let’s all dance,' he suggested.
Soon we were all on the dance floor, John and Haley next to us as we made our way around the crowded floor.
'So, what do you do now?' Tommy asked.
'I’m a researcher.'
'Ah. I should have figured. I’m in pharmaceutical sales. That’s how Carl and I met.'
'Carl?'
'Yes. My loved one.' I grinned, then chuckled.
'I always knew it about you, Tommy.' He grinned.
'I wasn’t so off about you, either, I hear. Haley filled me in on your predicament tonight, and since Carl will be out until later, why not help out an old friend.'
He twirled me around twice. As I turned, I saw Haley and John, and I saw Haley’s eyes on me. I turned to face Tommy again.
'Well, I’m not one to expose my business to everyone, so I didn’t really bother looking for a woman.'
'Is that why?' he asked, a knowing smile on his face.' My brows drew.
'Excuse me?'
'Thirteen years couldn’t diminish it, I guess.' Twirl, twirl. 'You two still look at each other the way you did all the way back in high school.'
'Me and who?' He laughed.
'Oh, come on, Andi. You’re not fooling anyone. Well, except maybe yourself. Or should I say, yourselves?'
'Haley and me?'
'Haley and you. I saw the sparks that were flying back and forth between you when you walked in. Poor John doesn’t have a chance.'
'Well, I think there’s one small thing you’re missing, Tommy.'
'What’s that?' He pulled me closer as the song ended, and a slow waltz started.
'Haley’s straight.'
'Oh, really?'
'Yes. You know that whole rule number one crap.'
'Never fall for a straight person? Yes, I know. But what if they’re not so straight? I had my doubts about Haley back in high school. She and I were very good friends. Still are.'
'I think you’re wrong.'
'I’m sorry to hear that.'
The song came to an end, and we stopped dancing, applauding the small, twelve-piece orchestra set up near the back of the room.
'Come on. Let’s sit.'
Dinner was served, and the four of us actually had a good time. Tommy was hilarious, and the three of us lost ourselves in stories of high school, and the people we knew, and Tommy regaling us with stories of what this person and that person is doing now. How on earth he knew all this, or why he cared, was beyond me.
While we had been dancing, I had seen Erin sitting at a table with a woman, obviously her girlfriend.
'I’ll be right back.'
I left our table, where four other people were also sat. Haley and Tommy talked while Haley’s date talked with the woman sitting next to him.
Making my way through the busy room, I quickly found Erin and her lady friend. I watched for a moment, and smiled. She looked utterly radiant.
'Happy New Year,' I said, stepping up beside their table. Both women looked up at me, and Erin smiled.
'Happy New Year, Andi. Are you here alone?'
'No, my table’s over there. I just thought I’d say hi.' I looked at the other woman who I didn’t recognize from the hospital. She was eyeing me, boy. I had to laugh inside. Honey, I am no threat, believe me. 'Hello,' I finally said.
'Oh, honey, this is Andi Littman. Andi, Susan Stein.'
'Nice to meet you,' I said with a smile. She just smiled back. 'Well, I don’t want to interrupt your dinner. You two crazy gals have fun.' I grinned, and walked away, feeling good about it. Erin was happy. That was all I ever wanted for her.
