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WHEN ALEX, LISA, TANK, Epifania, and I walked through the Stone Foundation’s doors, Kate Stone and her fiancé, Ben Cade, were there to greet a line of guests that was so long, I had to wonder if they’d ever get through it in time to enjoy the party themselves.
When it was my turn to come upon Kate, I saw a sense of relief overcome her. “I’m so happy that you’re here,” she said.
“As if we wouldn’t be here.”
“After what happened last weekend at the Witherhouses’ party, I have to admit that I wasn’t sure if anyone would show tonight. I’ve been worried about it for days.”
“And yet they have shown,” I said as I turned to look around the massive, beautifully decorated space. “I mean, look at this place, Kate. It’s already packed. I can almost smell the money rolling in.”
“Let’s hope that’s the case,” Kate said as she gave me a kiss on each cheek, which I returned. “Because the charities Michael supported when he was alive deserve his continued support—even if it’s only through his memory.”
“And because of your hard work,” I said to her.
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Michael. Giving to those charities meant the world to him.”
“You’re good to do it, Kate.”
“I know he sees what I’m doing,” she said with a smile. “I know that he’s watching me...”
When she said that, I felt my heart break for her. Kate had lost her husband, Michael, five years ago to murder. Somehow she’d pulled through after losing one of the great loves of her life. She’d turned the tragedy of his death into something productive and profound, and then after years of being single, she’d reconnected with her first love, Ben Cade. She was fast becoming one of my best friends.
Aware that I was holding up the line, I squeezed her hand, said that we’d touch base later, and then shot a glance over at Ben, who was standing next to Kate and looking especially handsome in his black tuxedo. “Well, look at you,” I said with a raised eyebrow as Alex and Kate began to talk. “So dapper.”
“And you look beautiful, Jennifer,” Ben said. “That’s some gown.”
“Thank you,” I said as I picked up the skirt and fanned it out around me. “I think there’s enough material here to swaddle every one of your guests.”
“You know?” he said. “I think I’d pay to see that.”
“And I think I would, too.”
“Thank you for coming.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it. Now, give me a hug. Good lord, you’re tall.”
“He’s a beast,” Kate said.
“These former SEALS generally are,” I said. “I mean, look at Tank. Whenever he and Ben are near each other, I feel like the rest of us have just been transported to the Land of the Boys Who Ate Their Vegetables. Anyway,” I said. “You’ve got guests to greet. More later?”
“We’ll be talking for sure,” Kate said.
“Have a great night. The four of us need to do dinner soon, OK?”
“We’re on it,” Ben said.
“Agreed,” Alex said, and then he stopped. “Kate, before I leave, do you happen to know if Rudman Cross has arrived yet?”
“He has,” she said. “About ten minutes ago.”
“Was he by himself?” I heard Epifania say.
Kate turned to look at her. “As a matter of fact, he was,” she said. “And by the way, we haven’t met yet. You’re Epifania Zapopa.”
“Otherwise known as the Loose Cannon of Park Avenue,” Epifania said with a sly smile while she and Kate shook hands. “I hear what the people say...”
“Ignore them.”
“Sometimes Epifania do—and sometimes she doesn’t. Let’s just the say that when she doesn’t, things can get the messy.”
While Epifania and Kate continued to exchange small talk with Lisa and Tank joining in, Alex and I moved into the crowd and waited for our friends to join us. When they did, my thoughts turned to the bar. I needed just one drink before Alex and I approached Rudman Cross—if only to settle my nerves. “How about if we all go to the bar and get drinks?” I said. “A Guinness for Tank and martinis for the rest of us?”
“You’re on,” Lisa said.
“And you said that way too quickly.”
“I’m a martini girl—what do you expect?”
“Epifania love the martini, especially since she’s about to meet her Rudsy! And believe me, the cookies, I need to cheel the hell out before that happen.”
“Then let’s go,” I said.
With Alex’s hand caressing my back, the five of us went off toward the bar.
* * *
I WAS STANDING AT THE bar while Alex ran through our orders with one of the bartenders when I saw Rudman Cross.
Just like the night I’d first met him at the Witherhouses’ party, he was standing at the end of the bar and talking with a small group of people while he sipped what looked to me like a glass of Scotch.
“Epifania,” I said.
“What, the honey pot?”
“Look to my far right—at the end of the bar.”
She leaned forward a bit, and then she immediately fell back in line beside me. “He here,” she said. “And thees time he not talking to that beeg beech Immaculata Almendarez. Heyzeus Cristo! Did you see how handsome he look? Epifania gonna faint!”
“No, you aren’t.”
“She gonna drop to the floor!”
“You’re stronger than that.”
“She about to go down!”
“Oh, you are not.”
“Then why I feel so lightheaded?”
“Because you’ve obviously got a thing for him.”
“My little meow-meow has had a thing for him since we first met—but now he starting to get into my head.”
“That can be a good thing, Epifania.”
“I want it to be a good thing, but now I starting to freak out. I been burned a few times, Yennifer.”
“That doesn’t mean that always will be the case—just remember that. OK?”
She nodded at me as Alex turned and started to hand us our drinks. “Here you go, everyone,” he said.
“Oh, thank you,” I said when he slipped my martini into my hand before giving me a chaste kiss on my lips. “And thank you for that, too.”
“Want another?”
“Is that even a question?”
I took him by his lapel and laid one on him.
“What will people think?” I said.
He cocked his head at me. “That we’re in love?”
“If they’re perceptive, they will. And they’ll be exactly right.”
He grabbed my ass when I said that, and my eyes popped. “Look at me—winning the day!”
“Look at you,” Lisa said. “Needing a room.”
After everyone had their drinks, Alex held up his in front of him. “Cheers,” he said. “To all of us, and to a great night. After last weekend, everyone in this room deserves exactly that.”
“Hear, hear,” Tank said.
“Epifania couldn’t agree the more,” she said.
“God, this is good,” I said as I sipped my drink and wrapped my arm around Alex’s waist.
“As smooth as silk,” Lisa agreed.
When the first round was down, Alex looked at me.
“We should go over and see Rudman,” he said.
“I know—and I’m ready.”
I looked at Lisa and Tank, who knew that we were here for another reason.
“Business,” I said. “Do you mind if Alex and I take care of this now rather than later? That way, we can move on and have fun for the rest of the night.”
“Not an issue,” Lisa said. “I know a lot is riding on this for you and Alex—and also for Epifania. So, I say that you three go over and score a win. Tank and I will wait here.”
“Wait here?” Tank said, looking down at her. “I was going to ask you for a dance.”
“You were?”
“I was.”
“Since when do you dance?”
“I don’t dance,” he said. “But this song is slow, so I can hold you close to me for a few minutes while I shuffle my feet from side to side. I’d like that.”
“How dreamy,” she said with a smile. “Let’s dance.”
“You two have fun,” I said. “We’ll be back in a bit.”
