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I look down at the sumptuous silk. The strapless gown hugs my torso and pushes my boobs up just enough to show them off but not enough to look tacky. The bottom half swirls around my legs as I walk, parting over my left thigh thanks to a high slit. I have to admit, I’ve never worn anything quite this beautiful.
“I love the dress, Rake. I really do. You didn’t have to get me one. I could have worn something I already had.”
Honestly, I’ve never felt this pretty. But saying that out loud would just be weird.
He shrugs. “Sometimes it’s nice to get something new. And it was kind of fun, imagining what you might like and what would look good.”
We walk hand-in-hand toward the sound of a large party.
“I didn’t know you liked shopping for women’s clothes so much.”
“I didn’t know I did, either,” he laughs.
“You look pretty amazing yourself.”
He looks down at me, and my skin explodes in goosebumps. How does he do that? I am suddenly all awkward and weird.
“Thank you. Nice of you to say,” he says, pretending to straighten his tie. “I appreciate your being here with me, darlin’. Thank you.”
“It’s what wives do, isn’t it?”
29
PETAL
I searchthrough the giant crowd for Wendy and Daria, the women who made me feel at home on the Vegas trip, but the ballroom is so packed, my efforts are futile.
“My God. Who are all these people?” I ask.
“Dunno,” Rake says. “I know the team, and their significant others are here, but the others are people who the owner invites, I guess. And there are photographers. Always, photographers.”
As we work our way through the crowd, I notice I’m getting a lot of stares, but for some reason, I don’t really mind. A server passes with a tray of champagne and Rake grabs one for each of us.
“Petal!” a voice behind me screams. I turn and find Wendy, with Tito close behind.
She throws her arms around me in a big, warm hug, and I am so, so grateful for this nice woman. She takes a step back and looks me up and down.
“Damn, girl, look at you. So hot,” she says.
Rake looks over the heads of most people in the crowd. “Where’s the rest of the gang?”
Tito points to the far wall. “We have a table over that way. We saved you seats.”
We follow Wendy and Tito through the crowd, but it’s pretty slow-going. Seems everyone wants to shake the players’ hands.
Wendy notices me waiting patiently. “It’s always like this, honey. You’ll get used to it.”
I shrug. “I don’t mind. It’s fun to see him in action.”
She nods. “Definitely. There’s nothing like seeing Tito change one of the kids’ poopy diapers, then watching him here at something like this, where he’s treated like a God. Life is crazy like that.”
“You are so great,” I tell her. “Thank you for making me feel welcome.”
She smiles broadly. “You’re a cool chick, Petal. Everyone likes you. In fact, we hope you stick around.” She says this last bit quietly.
“Oh, well….” I start to answer, but realize I don’t know my answer.
We find the rest of the crew, and I greet Tyler, Jonas, Zink, and Daria with hugs and kisses.
