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Just like last year, there were people smoking on the front porch as we approached, butnotlike last year, I’d brought a simple point-and-shoot camera I wouldn’t have to worry about all night. I’dalsobrought a guy who wasn’t going to abandon me to catch up with an old boyfriend.
Even if Daniel’s ex, Kevin, showed up at this party for some bizarre reason, he’d never make me wonder or try to guess where I stood with him. He’d never introduce me as his friend and then take it back just to prove something.
“Well, if it isn’t my Sweetie and my darling, my lovely, my Daniel!” Robert—no, Renée—was drunk already and wobbling on her high heels. Her bright pink wig was amazing, and so was the pink Mrs. Santa outfit she was wearing. Blinding, but amazing.
“Hey there.” I went in for a hug, and instead got squished into her fake bosom and cuddled hard. “Missed you, too,” I squeaked out, trying to get a breath.
“I don’t think you have,” she scolded me, holding me even closer by wrapping her hand around my head and clutching me. “No calls, no visits. And after all I did for you last year.”
“I’m sorry,” I gasped. “If I promise to do better, will you let me breathe?”
She released me, mussing my curls, which were no doubt already a disaster. “Sweetie, if you do better, then I’ll have to do better, and I don’t have time for that. Let’s just both agree that we love each other and leave it alone.” She gestured over my shoulder and called, “Barry, baby, bring these two something to drink.”
“And here comes the Puker jokes,” I muttered to Daniel.
“So, have you two been screwing like bunnies and that’s what’s kept you so busy?” Renée grinned. “I see by Daniel’s red cheeks that’s a resounding yes. Well, good gracious, I’m glad to hear it. Ah, to be young and full of endless hard-ons again.”
“Renée,” I murmured, rolling my eyes, as Barry approached with the beers.
“Don’t throw up,” he said, handing it to me. “Good to see you, Puker.”
“You too.”
Renée broke in again. “So how are you handling Daniel’s dick, baby? Do you need any pointers?”
I blushed. “We’re fine. Thanks.”
Barry turned to Renée, putting a hand around her waist. “Woman, let these kids dance and relax. They don’t want to tell you about what they’ve been doing with the lights out.”
“I hope you’ve been doing it with the lightson,” she said to us, grabbing a drink out of a passing guest’s hand and commandeering it. “You’re only young and gorgeous for a few years, and then the pot bellies grow and wrinkles set in.”
“What pot belly?” Barry muttered, rolling his eyes. “You’ve got a six-pack under there.” He turned to Daniel. “Hey, can I ask you about something in the kitchen? It’s about the new house. They’ve started on the foundation, but I just want to make sure…” His voice trailed off as he and Daniel made their way into the kitchen where, I had no doubt, there were still plans for the house rolled out on the table.
Music thumped and laughter rang out all around. I wondered who all the people in attendance were. I felt like I’d seen some of them last year, but others were new.
“I saw your Naughty Boy,” Renée said, taking hold of my arm and drawing me in close.
“He’s not mine, and I don’t care.”
“He was at Tilt-a-Whirl.”
I covered my surprise with a sip of beer.
“He was looking for you.”
“That’s creepy.”
She snorted. “I thought so too. But our little fool Minty thought it was romantic.”
I snorted. “Did he?”
“Well, he pretended to think so while pumping Naughty Boy for information about why he was there, what he wanted, and how long he was going to be in town.”
“Hmmph,” I said around my beer bottle again.
“The answers were: he was looking for you, he wants to talk with you, and he’s going to be in town through at least the New Year.” She ticked them off on her fingers.
“So what?”
