Page 30 of Dancing With Doubt

14

Roxie

“You mean Kai owns this place too?” Roxie looked at one of the most exclusive restaurants in Myrtle Beach.

“Yeah, he’s got a thing for restaurants,” Lincoln said as he handed the keys to a parking attendant and came to take her arm. “I’ve not told them it’s your birthday, but I’ve invited a few friends to dinner.”

“Oh?” She asked, her heart thudding in her chest. Would the ones that didn’t know her real birthday figure it out? How would she ever explain all the lies she’d told to protect herself, to hide her real identity over the years?

The restaurant was perfect, with lots of glass walls to look out at the ocean, white tablecloth-covered tables, and black chairs. They were led to the edge of the restaurant next to the glass wall, where a huge round table took up space.

It seemed they were the last to arrive as there were only two chairs empty.

“Are we late?” She whispered to Lincoln.

“A little. I wasn’t planning for round two in the shower.” He whispered back.

Everybody waved as they finally sat down. June was to her right and Roxie leaned over to kiss her cheek hello.

“Happy birthday, my sweet friend. Your secrets are safe with me.” June whispered to her before Roxie pulled back.

“Thank you.” Roxie mouthed the words and looked around the table to greet everybody. Emily was there with Dylan. Keily had brought her husband Logan who was fucking gorgeous, just as Keily described him. Kitty, with River at her side, waved over to them and Roxie waved back.

Kai was on the other side of June and Wendy was on Kitty’s other side. Lincoln had said her favorite people would be here and he was right. There was one of Lincoln’s old friends too, Trevon, who still reminded Roxie of that duke from the regency Netflix series.

“Um, I know we weren’t supposed to, Lincoln told me not to, but I got you a present,” June said quietly, once Roxie had greeted everyone and ordered a glass of red wine.

“What?” Roxie asked and looked down. June handed over a Louis Vuitton handbag and Roxie opened it to find the bag full of Dior lipsticks. Roxie looked over at June with her mouth hanging open in surprise.

“I couldn’t remember which one was your favorite, so I got them all. I’m sure you can pull them all off, but if there’s some you don’t like just give them away or something.” June said with a pleased smile.

“You’re too generous, June,” Roxie growled at her with wide eyes, but she couldn’t stop smiling at the memory those tubes invoked.

“Anything for you, baby. Anything.” June said and patted her hand.

“If I could steal her for a moment, dear sister?” Lincoln asked, leaning around Roxie.

“Sure.” June smiled at her brother, but her eyes were on Roxie, telling her she knew there was more between Roxie and Lincoln all along. Roxie gave a guilty shrug and turned to Lincoln.

“What’s up?” Roxie asked him with a happy smile. She was as carefree as she’d ever been before the worst day of her life changed everything. Nothing could mar this night for her.

“Well, it’s just that there’s cake for after dinner. Do you want to tell everybody it’s your real birthday or not?”

Roxie looked at him sharply, before her eyes drifted around the table. These people were all her friends and would forgive her the little lie, wouldn’t they? She looked back at him, worry making her frown.

“I think they’ll understand, Roxie. I really do.” He patted her thigh to reassure her, and she looked back out at her friends.

“Uh, if everyone could give me their attention for a moment? I have something to explain that may upset some of you. But please, let me get to the end and if you are upset with me, well, I’ll understand.” She paused to see that she had everyone’s eyes and continued. “Ten years ago, my parents died. I was known as Chloe up to that point. I was eighteen years old the night our house suspiciously caught fire. I ran, due to circumstances that told me I should run far, far away, and well, I ended up here, as Roxie. And, um, today’s my real birthday.”

There was silence around the table. Her friends looked at her and it was Kitty that spoke first. “What the fuck, Roxie?”

“I’m sorry, Kitty. Really, I am.”

“What the hell do you mean it’s your birthday? I didn’t get you a gift!” Kitty glared at her but then smiled. “No need to explain, honey, really. We all have our secrets and stories to tell, don’t we?”

Kitty looked around the table and everyone seemed to agree. Roxie saw love and acceptance in their faces. Relief made her head swim for a minute, but she took a deep breath.

“So, uh, do you still want us to call you Roxie?” June asked, her brown eyes smiling happily.