She admired them physically at moment. The way Alison’s white, low cut dress hugged her curves, her small breasts brought together, raised high, a string of pearls hanging low, gently touching the top of her breasts, the appeal of her slim waist and rounded ass. Alison wanted to touch that ass then and there. If they were not standing in the lobby of the hotel, she would have. It took all her reserve not to reach out and touch it.
To distract herself from Alison, she looked over to Warrington. Tall Matt Warrington, his broad chest pressing hard against the white tuxedo shirt covering his chest, a bow tie adorning his neck. His tuxedo was black – of course it was – the classic cut of the suit complimenting his classically good looks; deep blue-grey eyes, square jaw, and full, kissable lips.
“How’s the attendance?” Warrington’s voice broke Miranda’s trance.
“Good, good,” she said. “It looks like everyone is showing up early.” As if to support what Miranda was saying, a loud roar of laughter was heard from atop the staircase.
Warrington turned to Alison. “I’m going to pick up our room key.” He kissed Alison on the cheek. “I’ll be back in a moment, then we’ll go up together.”
Alison briefly watched Warrington walk across the lobby towards the front desk before turning back to Miranda. “You must be very pleased with the turn out.”
“Excited,” Miranda said, a little too excitedly.
“Excited?” asked Alison.
Miranda smiled at Alison, stepping closer to her. “Excited for this evening.”
“Oh, yes,” replied Alison. “Matt’s excited as well, although to look at him you would never know. He’s not one to show too much emotion, but you probably know that as well as I do.”
“And how about you? Are you excited?”
Alison looked up to where the noise of the party was coming from. “Definitely. It’s the Lover’s Ball. Who wouldn’t be excited to attend the Lover’s Ball?”
Miranda stepped in closer, taking Alison’s hand. Miranda looked into Alison’s eyes.
“Oh,” was all Alison said.
“I’ve arranged a few treats for us in the suite.”
“Oh,” Alison said again, looking away.
Miranda let go of her hand, confused. “You did tell Warrington to get us a suite, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I did.”
Miranda hesitated, questioning, she said, “I thought the suite was for us, all of us.” She stopped to look at Alison. Alison was looking back towards the front desk. Miranda stepped back a step. “Or maybe it’s just for you guys.”
Warrington returned, taking Alison’s hand. “We’re all checked in.” Neither Miranda nor Alison responded. He looked at Alison then Miranda. ‘Did I miss something?”
Miranda answered, sounding distant and disappointed. “You guys will enjoy that room. It’s my favorite.”
Warrington looked confused. “Have you changed your mind?” he asked Miranda.
“Me? No.”
Miranda silently looked at Alison; Warrington followed her gaze.
Sensing all eyes on her, Alison felt compelled to speak. “I don’t know,”: she said loudly. “It seems like a good idea, but I don’t know. I go back and forth. I want to, I don’t want to.” Alison reached a hand to Miranda, taking it in hers. “I was up for it this morning, but now, at this moment, tonight at the ball,” she paused, “Sweetie, I love you, I really do, but the three of us, it’s a big thing, a whole new thing.” Alison shook her head, her voice trailed off.
Miranda continued holding Alison’s hand. She smiled, softening her expression. “Alison, I love you.” She looked at Warrington, “I love you both.” She reached for Warrington’s hand with her other, taking it. “I want to be with you both tonight, but if it’s not to be, then it’s not to be. I won’t love you any less.” Miranda paused. “Nothing changes.”
Her soft expression was tinged with a hint of sadness. She raised Warrington’s hand, placing it on top of Alison’s. Warrington wrapped his fingers around Alison’s.
“Off you guys go now,” said Miranda.
“Aren’t you coming up? You’re sitting with us, right?” asked Alison.
“Yup, I’m at your table, but I’ll be up later,” replied Miranda. “I’m going to hang out here a little while longer. There’s still some guests to arrive.”
“Miranda–” said Alison.
Miranda stopped her. Smiling she said, “The band is about to start. You guys better get on the dance floor before it gets too crowded.”
“C’mon.” Warrington stepped on the first riser of the staircase, drawing Alison along with him.
As they walked upstairs, Alison kept her gaze down on her feet, holding her long gown with her free hand, making sure she didn’t step on it and fall.
Warrington looked over his shoulder and smiled back at Miranda. Miranda didn’t see him, she had turned her back to the staircase, talking to an older couple who had just arrived.
Miranda wasn’t used to not getting what she wanted. She never had a problem with this in the past. Not with Warrington, not with Tony, nor any man she’d set her sights on. Alison was obviously different. If she didn’t love her so much, if she didn’t respect her so much, she might have persisted. But Miranda valued their friendship more, that plus the fact that Alison and Warrington were probably the only two people she considered friends. If that’s what they were to be, friends and not lovers, then she could accept that.
As the evening progressed, Miranda did her best to mingle with as many party guests as she could. It didn’t matter that mingling and making small talk didn’t come easily to her, this is what Tony would do, so she would do it too. She felt it was her responsibility now. She was no longer the lost girl Tony found sitting on the lobby couches of the hotel, she was now the resident manager. She had to grow into her role, just as she had to grow to accept that she
