“Got a throat on you, then?”
“What’s it to you?” she snapped back at the Leprechaun.
“Nothing at all.” Keegan turned to me, eyebrows raised. “What would you say to an early pint, seeing it’s your birthday.”
But before I could decline, Katie cut in, telling him “Thanks but no thanks. I don’t need any company.”
Keegan leaned in to me. “Has she been drinking solo for long?”
“I don’t think that’s her plan,” I said. I had already noticed the pub door swing open from the inside. Conner was holding it open for Katie, who stopped to give him a sizzling kiss, before they disappeared into the dark pub.
Keegan stood with his mouth hanging open, but before he caught any flies, the pub door opened briefly for a second. We saw Conner’s hand slip through the opening, as he hung a sign on the door. “CLOSED – Back in One Hour” it said.
“It’s okay,” I told him. “She always finds a way home.”
After Keegan got me back to the house, I couldn’t help smiling at Katie’s little slice on the side. As I started up the stairs, I called back to Keegan over my shoulder, “I’m going to get ready for a fairy ball.”
“Hmm. Best hope your Fae brasser buddy finishes up playing a tune on Conner’s flute.”
“Oh, she’ll be back in time to give me a full blow by blow account.”
“You have something to wear?” he asked.
“I’m sure I can scrounge up something in my grandmother’s closet.” The truth was, it had totally slipped my mind that I was supposed to play dress up for tonight. But it hardly mattered. I really didn’t have the kind of money to buy an elegant evening gown anyway.
I opened the French doors to my room, and stopped dead in my tracks. The heavenly aroma of fresh cut flowers floated in the air. There on my dresser was a beautiful glass vase, brimming with at least two dozen long-stemmed roses. A few petals were scattered on the surface of the dresser next to a little white envelope, each petal a brilliant velvety red, no two the same, as if each was painted individually. A large white box and a smaller box, both adorned with red bows, sat on the edge of the bed, with two more envelopes. Lastly, a small black box sat on the vanity, another envelope resting underneath the box. “Picking up suits, my ass,” I thought, as I reached for the first envelope with the large white box. I pulled out the card...
Because every Princess deserves a dress to wear to the ball.
I removed the lid and found the most beautiful black chiffon dress I have ever seen. It must have cost a fortune. “Oh, Orin,” I said softly, nearly overcome. I spread the dress out on the bed and just stared. I would have never guessed Orin would be the type to get me such a beautiful gown.
I reached for the second envelope and opened it...
I like that you’re short, but that doesn't decree your shoes have to be. Lucky me!
Inside this box was a beautiful pair of strappy, black, five-inch-high heels. Fucking Keegan, and that shoe fetish thing of his. They’ll certainly add a few inches to my (admittedly) short stature. And damn if they don’t match the Little Black Dress incredibly well. FMP’s for my LBD.*
(* Fuck Me Pumps for my Little Black Dress)
I walked back over to the flowers on the dresser. I reached out and touched the silky red petals, as I drew in a deep whiff. I could smell morning dew, newly mowed lawn, and a delicate, heart-lifting sweetness in the subtle but somehow overpowering scent of the fresh, red roses. Of course, I’d known all along who these were from, even though Weylyn had not signed his own name to the card:
'Breathe Darling, this is just a chapter its not your whole story..' - SC Laurie
Finally, I sat down at the vanity, and opened the last letter, the one under the little black velvet box...
‘Only a person already in my heart can retrieve me from the darkness I harbor, only true love running in both directions. In the end, I stopped searching, because one night she was standing right in front of me sparkling like a jewel.’
Brick by brick, my walls crumbled down, and for the second time today I began to cry. Until this moment, I had felt uneasy, uncertain, where I stood with Brann. He always kept me at arm’s length, and he worked overtime to conceal his emotions. But I guess for Brann, love was best spoken without words, and now, it was his actions that spoke louder. I gently wiped a tear from my cheek as I opened the black velvet box. Inside sat a pair of black diamond stud earrings. In my life, no one had ever gifted me something so beautiful and so expensive at the same time. They were breathtaking.
It took a few minutes for it all to sink in. Every gift was personal, and meaningful. Each a gesture larger than life. I was grinning and sniffling at the same time. I fought to get hold of myself. No more crying, you sappy thing. It’s time to get ready for the ball, Cinderella. I turned on some music peeled my clothes off, walking into the bathroom to take a shower. I didn’t even know if the tile floor was cold, for my feet were floating six inches above it.
◆◆◆
By the time I was showered and primping my way into the beautiful gifts from my fellas, Katie was back. “Who are you and what have you done with my best friend,” Katie said in awe, slowly circling, her hypercritical eye for once finding no flaw.
“Is it too much? Not enough?”
“Girl, shut yo mouf.”
Katie definitely had a glow to her cheeks, and a twinkle in her eye. I couldn’t resist mentioning
