Old Friends and New Acquaintances

"I'm sorry if I overstepped. I know kissing wasn't part of the deal tonight but I didn't know how else to deal with her. I've made it clear on a ridiculous number of occasions that I have no interest in her," he says, seemingly completely unaffected by the kiss.

I just nod and joke, "It's fine, but now you might owe me a silent auction item."

I want him to laugh at my lame attempt at a joke because that would shake away the sexual tension I'm feeling from the kiss but instead he says, "Sure, pick whichever and keep up with the bidding."

"Mr. Conti, I'm joking! You don't owe me anything for one kiss," I say, like he's crazy for making the offer.

"I don't ever owe people, so come up with something and let me know," he says, getting distracted by someone he sees in the distance.

I look in the direction of his eyes and see an older couple by the bar. I look back to Cass and say, "Well, don't let me stop you. I'll find Annabelle while you go talk to them."

He looks frustrated and says, "I can't talk to them."

"Why not?"

"I've tried to talk to Mr. Gaffan in the past but he doesn't like some of the people I've worked with in the past and no matter how much I've cleaned up my act, he won't give me the time of day," he explains.

I look back at the couple and study them for a moment, then turn back and ask Cass, "Do you mind if I try something?"

He looks at me unsure but says, "Sure, it's not like I have any ideas."

"Wow, thanks for your show of faith. I'll wave you over if it works, okay?" I say.

He nods and I walk off, hoping the single girls don't swallow him up whole while I'm away.

I approach the nearly empty bar and stand about a meter away from Mrs. Gaffan. I spend some time weighing my drink options before the waiter finally asks if I want anything.

I say, "I don't know, what's good?"

"Ma'am, I only make good drinks. Just pick one," he says impatiently.

"Umm... I look around like the answer will come to me when I pretend to notice Mrs. Gaffan and say, "I'm sorry to interrupt but your drink looks amazing, what is it?"

She looks a little surprised to be addressed by me but says, "It's a Grand Melon Ball Drop, sweety."

"Ooo, that sounds fun," I say excitedly. I turn back to the waiter and say, "I'll have that."

He rolls his eyes and gets to work.

I turn to the woman and say, "Thank you for the inspiration. By the way, I love your necklace."

She smiles and touches the necklace instinctually, then says, "My husband bought it for me and I insisted on wearing it even though it doesn't match my dress."

"Honey, I told you, you didn't need to wear it. You could have saved it for another night," he says in exasperation.

She smiles at him sweetly and I ask, "Can I ask how long you've been married?"

"Twenty five years," she beams, smiling at her husband who smiles back so sweetly.

The bartender interrupts saying, "Here's your drink ma'am, goodluck."

I take the drink and leave a tip then turn to the Gaffan's and say, "To twenty-five years!"

They toast with me which I take as a win. They aren't telling me to leave at least. I make sure to be ready for the sweetness of the drink based on the smell. If I wince, this won't work well for me.

"Wow, this is great. Thank you for the recommendation!" I exclaim.

Mrs. Gaffan beams and says, "Oh honey, you are sweet. Almost everyone in my book club makes fun of me for liking this drink. You're probably the only one in the ballroom willing to drink it alongside me so I don't feel so alone."

"It's my honour. My name is Alexa, by the way," I say, offering my hand to shake.

She shakes my hand and says, "Elizabeth Gaffan, but you can call me Ellie. And this is my husband, Burt."

He shakes my hand and corrects his wife, saying, "Mr. Gaffan."

"Nice to meet you Ellie and Mr. Gaffan."

"So Alexa, I've never seen you at one of these events. How did you find yourself here tonight," Ellie asks.

"I'm actually here as someone's date," I explain, making sure not to give away who I'm with. "Oh, I forgot I was supposed to be getting him a drink too. I guess he'll have to fend for himself!"

"Don't keep the poor man waiting. Wave him over, maybe he can keep Mr. Gaffan company while we chat," she says. She puts extra emphasis on the name Mr. Gaffan making it clear she thinks it's silly that he corrected her when she introduced him by his first name.

I pretend to look around the room before finding Cass standing in the exact same spot I left him. I wave him over with a dopey, love sick grin on his face. He has his hands in his pockets as he walks over, and it's the first time I've seen him tense all night. He's used to everyone falling at his feet, and now he's walking across the whole ballroom hoping he doesn't get rejected in front of everyone by a man that has rejected him a bunch of times.

When he gets close, I reach out my hand and he grabs it. I turn back to the couple and say, "This is my date and the reason I'm at this beautiful event tonight. Cass, this is Mr. and Mrs. Gaffan."