Last night had been a very long night for Amber. She hardly slept. She was unbelievably excited for the announcement tomorrow about who would win the competition. Oh how badly she wanted it to be them! She was nervous. She was scared that she had too much emotion invested into winning because of her parents and if they didn’t win, she might have a nervous breakdown. Which, she could have at any moment due to that damn Gage Alexander, CEO. He made her feel things she had never felt with another man before. He was so arrogant and take charge, it irritated her. But boy, it made her hot too! Especially when his delicious hands slid along her robe down to her thigh, grazing it with his knuckles – so close and yet so far away. He was killing her. She was killing herself. Why, after all this time in her life did Gabriella’s voice have to pop into her head at such a crucial moment? The real question was why did she listen to it? That was unlike her. Amber always did what she wanted – who she wanted, when she wanted and no one, usually, talked her out of it. What in the hell was she thinking? She wanted him last night so badly it hurt. In the early morning hours, she finally freed herself from his web by giving herself pleasure only to think about him the entire time. He clearly wanted her. Finally. Not finally, he was just suddenly willing to give in to the temptation.
And she shot him down.
God, he was right. She was a tease. A big fat tease. She had never been accused of that in her life. Ugh, the label did not sit well with her. Was she stupid or what? Here was this tall, intriguing man with a slight accent that could most likely have any woman he wanted and he showed up on her doorstep last night. Hers! With eyes the color of a brewing storm, he had pretty much told her he wanted her – then and there. What a fool to not take him up on his offer. What was she going to do about it now? She knew the answer to that question would haunt her all day. That is the last thing she needed.
The winners would be announced after the last performance – around six in the evening. So she had all day to sit around and twiddle her thumbs...and think about that addictive man Gage Alexander, CEO. Enough time to think about his thick eyelashes, his dark hair that showed signs of maturity in all the right places, and to think about the way he cocked his head to the side and looked at her with such a serious expression she had no idea what he was thinking. She grabbed her phone and read her horoscope.
Today you will turn over a new leaf, Gemini. You will finally be able to let go of a rather pressing matter. Guilt comes in many forms and can go unnoticed by many people. You, however, wear it on your sleeve. But be thankful Gemini, as today is the day you will be set free.
Before she could question what the hell that meant, her phone began ringing. Marilyn.
“Hello?”
“Hey, its me. You awake? Tell me what happened between you and Gage last night.”
How did she know he came over? “Nothing. He kissed me and I sent him home. Which, sitting here this morning, I realize was a colossal mistake.”
“What? He came over last night? Blake said he made you mad. Again! And then you stormed out of there without a backward glance. Tell me everything I missed! I need details and Blake can never give juicy details.”
“He showed up at my house. It was late. He apologized to me for making me cry and for badmouthing the whole competition. Then he kissed me and I’m pretty sure he wanted to untie my robe but then Gabbie’s voice popped into my head and I couldn’t get it out. So I sent him home. Oh, that was after he called me a tease by the way. A tease! Never have I ever, been accused of that in my life, Mar. Who does he think he is?”
“Hell has actually frozen over. You turned down the sexual advances of a man who looks like, like steel. He is a man who looks like steel, right?” Marilyn couldn’t think of a better way to explain Gage.
Amber laughed, “Yeah, you’re right. Steel. That is funny, Marilyn. I get exactly what you mean by that. The way he presents himself. How tough he is. The way he doesn’t seem to laugh and definitely the way he looks. Ha! His mother should have named him Steel.”
“That is so funny. Did I tell you I bought my dress from Brenda’s Bridal Boutique? I bought the very first one I tried on. It’s beautiful. But I have to hide it at the bookstore so Blake can’t peek at it. We reserved that banquet hall out on the lake, too. We don’t think it will be a huge wedding but we thought since it will be on Christmas Eve, we better find a place and we had better find a pastor who can marry us that day. Hopefully, they all won’t be in church services.”
Amber listened to Marilyn ramble on and on about the wedding and all of the details they had figured out thus far. She was getting further along in the planning than Amber had realized. A thought just dawned on Amber that she was going to have to throw her a bachelorette party. Oh, that will be fun! She loved parties!
“Marilyn! I have to throw you a bachelorette party! When do you want to have it? It will be so much fun! I can’t wait!”
Marilyn squealed, “I know. I don’t know when we will have it. Maybe the beginning of December? What are you going to plan? I’m telling you right now, Amber, nothing too crazy! No strippers! Are you listening to me, Amber? No strippers! I know how you are and no! N-O.”
“Oh, don't want to give Blake some competition do ya?”
“Competition? What? Wait, no please. He would beat any man out in body and looks. Need I remind you that he has the world’s sexiest forearms? And you already know what I’ve told you about his other parts!”
Amber laughed, “Yes, I remember. So I will see you later today when they make the announcement?”
“Amber, why don't you come help at the booth? I know you and I know you will make yourself crazy thinking about that and your parents all day long. What do you say?”
“I don't know Mar, I don't want be in the way.”
“Just come. We need the help if it’s anything like yesterday was. Please?”
She hesitated and on impulse, thought what the hell? “Okay. I will come. But I'm not sure what time exactly. I’ll text you when I'm on my way.”
“Okay. See you later.”
~
“Glad my angel talked you into helping out again. Definitely would have been tough without you.” Blake told Amber as she filled a cup full of beer.
“No problem. I’ve had fun today. Just waiting and waiting for these last few performances to be done though. I feel like I’ve been on pins and needles all day.”
“I know,” he glanced at his watch, “the time has come. Get over there so when they announce your team you will be close to the stage.”
As Amber made her way out of the tent and toward the stage, she spotted Gage coming from the opposite direction. Her heart stopped. He was utterly handsome. Today he wore a grey hoodie with his ever-present denim jeans. Simple. Hot as ever. His gait was slow, assessing her movements. She put up her hand and gave him a meek wave. He saluted her and continued his way toward the tent.
She found all the girls huddled together near the stage. They were all hugging and kissing each other, praying that they would win the competition. Amber hugged the few girls closest to her and began to tell them how excited she was for them.
“You girls have come so far since we started this. Look at you now; you are some Classy Cats for sure! Even if we don't win, you guys have so much more going for you. You’ve met great friends, right?” All of the girls nodded their heads. “And you ladies sure know how to bust a move, right?” They all nodded again. “So even if we don't win, know that I am so unbelievably proud of you. All of you, okay?” Tears began welling up in her eyes.
“Don't cry,” one of the girls told her, “we will all cry.”
“And we can't mess up our make-up!” another one squealed.
She tried hard not to let them fall. “No, we definitely can't have that! Come here you guys.”
As best as they could, they embraced each other. They watched the final three performances before intermission, giving the judges time to tally up the scores. It was the longest wait of Amber’s life. Brandi and Gabbie came and sat beside her the minute they arrived. She squeezed both of their hands, “thank you guys.”
“Are you kidding? We wouldn't miss it for the world! We know you are going to win.”
“Where’s Mar?”
“Probably at the beer garden helping her lover boy.” Amber rolled her eyes.
They all laughed.
Marilyn strolled up seconds later with not only Blake, but also Gage in tow. “Look who I found wandering around.”
“Hey, Amber. Good luck.”
Before she had a chance to respond, the emcee came over the loudspeaker. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I hope you have all enjoyed the lovely performances over the past two days.” In response, the crowd began clapping and hollering. “I am thankful I am not a judge folks because I will tell you something, we had some great dancers up here. Do you all agree?” More cheers from the crowd. “And I have learned a secret: there was almost a tie for first place. That's how amazing all of the teams performed!”
For a second Amber’s brain felt foggy. She was listening to the emcee, understood everything he was saying but suddenly she felt a little lightheaded. Through her sensitized ears she could hear the sounds of the toddler Ferris wheel that had been set up on the south side of the stage and beer garden. The screams from the tiny kids overrode the loudspeaker and every echo that came from it.
“Amber? Reina, you okay? Can you hear me?” Gage’s deep voice brought here out of her reverie. What? She found her hand folded into his. The smell of his skin permeated the air around her. She looked up into his grey eyes. “You with me? He just got the envelope.”
She turned from Gage to the stage and saw that the emcee was indeed getting ready to tear open the envelope. “Yes, I'm with you,” she told him.
“Ladies and gentlemen, coming in at third place are the Tango-ed Out Tutus.” The troupe made their way on stage and accepted their prize amongst the screams from the crowd. “Great job ladies. Great job!”
Once the team was off the stage, he continued. “For second place, we have the Smokin’ Soul Sisters.”
Oh dear God, Amber thought. Couldn't he just get on with it? Announce the winners please! The suspense was killing her. Gage gave her hand a comfort squeeze. She looked up at him and he smiled at her. Smiled! Ohmigosh, Gage Alexander, CEO just smiled at her? Really? It wasn't a clown smile by any means. It was a slow, melt-your-socks-off little grin that she really didn't know he possessed. She found herself smiling back without any hesitation.
“Now, who here wants to know who won this thing? Anybody?” More screams. “Would you look at that? Times up, I have to go home.” The man began walking off stage while the crowd went crazy. “Okay, okay. Now in all seriousness. This team beat out the Smokin’ Soul Sisters by only a quarter of a point! Can you believe that? I tell you folks: Ah-maze-ing girls this year. Just amazing!” He finally opened the envelope. “And coming in at first place, the winners of this year’s Fall Festival Competition is, drumroll please.”
Amber held her breath.
“The Classy Cats from Windsor, Colorado!”
The crowd went wild. She could hear the screams and squeals from all the girls but fresh tears blinded her eyes. The upward momentum of Gage’s arms lifting her off her feet made her scream in delight. She was crying and screaming and had ahold of Gage like nothing else mattered in the world. He twirled her around and around before setting her back down – his warm breath and lips brushed against her ear whispering, “I knew you would win.”
“Go girl, you gotta get up there!” Marilyn pushed her toward the stage.
The girls all made their way to the emcee. “Congratulations ladies! Here is your trophy. Folks, these girls here are looking at a busy season ahead of them. Beginning next Sunday, they will get to perform during half time for Colorado’s very own football team. How does that sound ladies and gentlemen? Did these girls deserve this or what?”
The crowd stood on their feet clapping and cheering for the girls. Marilyn, Brandi and Gabbie amongst the loudest. Standing on the stage watching the girls, she felt better than she had in a long time. She glanced up into the clear blue sky searching for two people she knew she wouldn't see for a very long time. She felt her body let go of a breath that it had been holding for far too long.