Page 248 of A Lick and A Promise
TWENTY-SEVEN
PEOPLE
“Ohmigod, holy shit, I’m so late!” I cried as I raced into my apartment.
And I almost ran into Knox, who had Jacques on his leash.
“Shower,” he said, catching me at my hip. “Jacques and I will take a long walk so he’s all good through the festivities. We’ll be back.”
“You’re the best,” I cried, rolling up for a kiss.
He gave me a quick one, I bent to pet Jacques, he was accepting but impatient to go out and play with his buddy.
I let them go and ran down the hall.
I nearly passed out when I saw my alarm clock.
People were arriving at 2:30 for pre-ceremony drinks and hors d’oeuvres. The wedding was starting at 3:30. All Alexis’s bridesmaids were old friends and current ballerina buds. But I was one of the greeters.
And it was 1:45, and just five minutes ago, Tod, Zach and Bill released us from setup duty.
I was sweaty, dirty, had flower pollen all over me and only forty-five minutes to get pretty.
I stripped bare in the bedroom, dashed to the bathroom and got started.
Whether it was Jacob or Mace who gave the order, I didn’t know.
What I did know was that the greeters (the Angels) who were loitering at the gates to invite people in were all accompanied by Hottie Squad members who were not there to welcome and instruct.
Yeah, the Angels’ job was to welcome guests, share about the available refreshments (Jessie’s wedding cocktail, a love potion, along with champagne or beer and non-alcoholic choices), also to help themselves to hors d’oeuvres, and requesting they think about finding their seats for the ceremony by 3:20.
The Hottie Squad were there to keep an eye out for Alexis’s father, and if they saw him, keep him out.
I discovered this when Knox hung with me during my fifteen minute shift, and I knew he wasn’t doing it because he liked my dress (but he did like my dress: a soft peach, floor-length affair with a to-the-midriff plunge V-neck bodice, no sleeves, no back (but there were a couple of string ties to keep it on my body) and a variety of pretty ruffles).
I knew by his alert manner he was there for another reason.
I didn’t deduce what it was.
He told me. “We’re keeping an eye out for Alexis’s dad.”
I was at one with this, so I let him do it and did my gig while enjoying my guy’s company until Willow and Gabe came to take over for their fifteen-minute shift.
Once relieved of duty, I took hold of my man and headed straight to one of the bars to get a love potion.
“Have you eaten?” Knox asked as we stood in line at the bar.
“I had a donut this morning.”
“Other than the donut.”
I thought on this and looked up at him. “Ohmigod, it’s a first. I lost track of eating food.”
He smiled. “You get drinks. I’ll get us hors d’oeuvres.”
“Love potion? Beer? What’s your pleasure?”
This time, he grinned. “Love potion all the way, baby.”
