“Don’t be sorry, accidents happen,” I say, and I can still feel my anger moving through me. I want to erase that moment from the memories of everyone who saw it, and I want to delete every picture taken that I know will be all over the internet before the night is over. No one deserves to lay eyes on my beautiful fairy. They don’t deserve to see her vulnerable and needing help. I try to breathe, relax, and hope that tonight goes well and as few people as possible saw it.
“It’s totally fine, Becs. One time I tucked my dress into my Spanx and spent three hours talking to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom before someone told me. You’ll live,” Chelsea says, and gives her other hand a little squeeze.
After about an hour of walking around the huge ballroom and mingling with as few people as possible, I feel Rebecca relax a little. I haven’t let her leave my side and I hold her hand and wrist close to me. Whenever I feel my anxiety peaking, I rub the bracelet on her arm and remind myself of who she truly is. She isn’t this made-up doll on my arm, she’s my Tinkerbell. My stolen fairy I’ve captured, and I won’t ever let her go.
“Well, well, this must be the foul-mouthed child Bray brought along tonight.”
I feel the hair on the back of my neck stand up and I clench my jaw. I turn around to see my former partner Charles and his wife Dedra sneering at Rebecca.
Charles was my partner when I first started in business, but then he met Dedra and our partnership dissolved. I ended up buying him out and he went to start his own investment company. Dedra is the reason we don’t work together anymore, and she’s also the one trying to make Rebecca look bad. Dedra is the type of woman who loves gossip, stirs the pot any chance she gets, and is overall a terrible human being. If my partner is willing to bed and marry someone like that, I can no longer trust his judgement.
I feel Rebecca stiffen beside me, and I realize she remembers Dedra from the coffee shop that day and how I talked badly about her. I know I explained my side of the story, but I’m sure this is uncomfortable.
“Don’t I know you?” Dedra asks and tilts her head to the side. “Although I’m sure it’s impossible, judging from your language.”
I open my mouth to defend Rebecca, but she beats me to it. “Yeah, I banged my knee like a son of a bitch on that curb outside. You know how clumsy kids can be. Speaking of, Daddy, I need to go potty. I’ll be right back.” She leans up and gives me a quick kiss on my open mouth and then turns to go to the bathroom.
I stand there shocked, but then I start to laugh. There’s my Tink.
“What did she just say?” Dedra asks, outraged.
I look over and see she’s got a shocked look on her face and I wish I’d taken a picture. Then I see Charles watching Rebecca walk away and he’s got a lecherous look on his face. It turns my stomach just wondering what he’s thinking, and I react.
I grab the lapel of his tux and he whips his head around in shock. I get in his face so only the two of them can hear me and I grit my teeth. “Don’t get any ideas about my girl. And the next time your wife tries to embarrass her, I’ll tell everyone in this goddamn room how much you love it when she puts on a strap-on and fucks you while you’re wearing a dress. Or did you forget I walked in on that?” His face turns white, and I hear a small gasp from Dedra. “Yeah, I didn’t think you did. I’ve just been kind enough not to mention it until now. You both keep away from her and from me. We don’t have anything left to discuss.” With that I let him go and make my way through the crowd to find my fairy.
On the way to the bathroom Chelsea stops me. “She’s in the bathroom. She was crying but I think she’s okay now. I called a car for myself, and it’s on the way. I suggest you get Becs home. She needs you.”
“Done,” I say, and start to walk away. Before I get two steps I turn around “Oh, and thank you, Chelsea.”
“You kidding me, right? One day, I’ll expect you to return the favor when my Prince Charming arrives.”
“Will do.”
After I finally get to the bathroom, I see Rebecca exiting at the same time. I reach for her as she reaches for me and we run our hands all over each other. It calms my anger and anxiety further and I lean down to kiss her lips softly. “Let’s get out of here.”
“You read my mind,” she says, and grabs my hand, pulling me behind her through the crowd and out the front door. The limo is out front and I look around to see where Hank is. I spot him across the street putting Chelsea into the car she called for.
I’m glad he walked her out. I start to call him back over to take us home when I see him lean down and kiss Chelsea.
“Plot twist,” Rebecca says on a giggle and I look down at her and smile.
“Yeah, I didn’t see that coming.”
“I like her.”
“I like you,” I say, and lean down and kiss her again. We are lost in the moment when I hear a throat clearing, and I see Hank is back by the limo, opening the door for us. That’s his discreet way of telling us to quit making out in public.
“So, Hank, kissed anyone goodnight lately?” Rebecca asks and a blush blossoms on his cheeks. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the man look so sheepish, and I try to help him out.
“Get in the limo, Tink,” I say, and help her in the car before Hank has to answer.
I get in myself and he shuts the door behind us. What he and Chelsea have going on is none of our business.