Page 18

Wedding Party Dory

A car ride later and we were at the Blind Pig Bar on Main Street. We shuffled in to find a make-shift VIP section in the back, with a handwritten “Gabe’s party” sign duck taped to the wall above some tables. Top shelf.

After a quick as you are moment, between Katie’s dog barking, and Pam’s blazing tap dance, we stunned the crap out of the tables close by. But I couldn’t tear my eyeballs from Gabe and his Magic Mike moves. Yowza.

Slow and sexy while his muscles seemed to give his sweatshirt a work out. It ended with a chick from the next table shimmying over and sliding a ten-dollar bill into the waist of his jeans. Oh, the boy had skills, and maybe a new side hustle. Yes, please . Bottom line: it was on like beer pong.

Nachos, wings, and sliders, along with drinks and shots, were piled onto our table.

I made sure to eat a little of everything because I did not want to be the drunk gal they were all talking about tomorrow.

Nope, been there, done that. I was a grown up now, not Dave’s little sister who’s a lush.

But after two shots and a Colorado Bulldog, that plan shot out the window: Byyeee.

The music was pumping while most of our group hit the dance floor hard. Once Dave and Liv left the table, I hung back with Gabe and turned my back toward the dance floor so nobody would see the hearts shooting from my eye sockets while I gazed at him. Sigh.

He leaned on the table. “Your cheeks are getting rosy, Fern Ethel.”

My hands touched them, and yes, they were two zillion degrees. “Damn vodka.”

“I like it.” He leaned a little closer. “It reminds me of last night.”

My tummy did a back flip at the thought of him remembering the time in his bed.

As a song finished, a loud voice came through the speakers. “Good evening, one and all! I hear we have a wedding party in the house!” Our group cheered as Gabe and I headed toward them. “I was instructed by a very bossy Liv to announce that it’s as you are time!”

I shrugged and started twirking. While I’d never be a dancing queen, I could feel I was improving, (said Vodka) so it was really a win/win situation.

The DJ waved his arm in the air. “Now, if you like that, you’ll love this. It’s ants in your pants time!” The room cheered. WTH?

“In honor of the wedding party, I’ve set up our big-ass Jenga game to my left.

” He pointed at the blocks that were in a six-foot tower.

“The twist is that each time you pull a block, there’s a dare written on it that you must do in order to continue playing.

Some are challenging, and some down-right inappropriate, but the winning team gets a round of shots.

I think boys versus girls would be the best option! ”

That was it. I was certain the Blind Pig bar was the coolest bar in the Northern hemisphere. I grabbed the girls around me and jerked them toward our future victory.

Dave motioned toward the game. “Ladies first.”

“You bet your ass ladies first!” I said, a little aggressive, maybe.

Dave put his hands out. “Calm down.”

I enthusiastically rolled my eyes. “Said the loser.”

Katie pulled out the first big old Jenga piece, and we read it read together. “Finish a stranger’s drink.” Katie wrinkled her nose. “Gross, I can’t do it.”

I took her hands in mine and focused on an encouraging smile. “We do anything it takes to beat the guys.” I pointed.

Dan waved his hand in the air. “She can’t do it!” He laughed as Gabe gave him a high five.

“See, they think you’re a pussy. Are you a pussy, Katie?”

“Maybe.” Her shoulders shrugged. “I don’t want to get germs.”

“First off, you’re not a pussy. Say it!”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m not a pussy.”

“Louder, bitch!” Clearly, I needed to work on my motivational speaking skills.

“I’m not a pussy!”

“Better. Secondly, I’m a nurse. You can’t get germs from another’s alcoholic beverage.

The alcohol level instantly kills any viruses by fifty-seven percent therefore there is no possibility of getting anything from another person’s drink.

” A big old pile of steaming horse shit, but did I sound fabulous or what?

I took her hand and led her to a man in his thirties close by who gave off a friendly vibe and tapped his shoulder. He turned toward us and grinned. His light brown hair contrasted with his blue eyes, and he had chill written on his face.

“Excuse me, kind sir. We’re trying to beat a bunch of boys in a bar contest and wondered if you would help us by letting my beautiful friend finish your drink?”

He sat back and looked amused. “Really? She wants to finish my drink for a game?”

I tried to conceal my evil grin but failed. “You bet your ass, she does.”

Katie waved her hand. “Not really, but Fern is making me. Are you updated on your Covid booster by chance?”

“I can assure you I’m healthy.” He looked back at me before reaching out and grabbing my left hand. “Since it appears you’re single, I’ll let her have my drink if I can get your number.”

What was happening? Why were handsome men showing me attention? “Oh, I don’t live here.”

“That’s okay. I have a car and frequent flyer miles.

” He stood up, fished his wallet out of his back pocket before reaching in, and grabbing two business cards.

“I’m Chad Denton, and this is my contact info.

” He then grabbed a pencil from the little Keno basket on his table.

“Now, if you’ll jot down yours, my drink will belong to your friend. ”

I stood for a second as Katie nudged me. “Do it before I say no to this challenge.”

“I, umm?—”

Katie leaned in close and whispered. “Give the handsome, single man your freaking number already.”

I nodded as I slid his card in my back pocket and wrote my number on the other as Katie guzzled down Chad’s drink.

We returned to our group as Katie did a dance. “I did it! I drank a stranger’s drink!” She gave me a fist bump. “And a hot dude asked for Fern’s digits!”

I kept my eyes down for a moment, and when I brought them up, Gabe was staring at me, wearing a cocky grin.

Ed drew a block. “Do the moonwalk.” He shrugged and started a delightful moonwalk while Gabe strolled my way.

“So you’re giving your number out to losers tonight?” His grin was casual while his eyes were anything but.

“No, just helping my team win this thing.” I clapped for Ed as Liv pulled a block. “I’ll never call him.”

“Well, you could if you wanted to.”

I loved this little jealously thing going on. “I know I could.”

“I know you know you could.” His eyes darted around the bar as I giggled. “I mean, it’s totally cool.”

I bit my lip, enjoying this much more than I should’ve. “Great. Because after the weekend pass is over, I might need to think of what’s next for little old me.”

His eyes shot a warning flare, and I wished everyone in the room would drop through the floor so he could do Gabey things to me.

He shoved his hands in his pockets. “So do whatever you want.”

I looked over to see Liv galloping across the bar while slapping her own ass. I did love this game. Now, back to Gabe. I peeked around, and nobody was looking in our direction so I leaned in a little closer. “So you would like me to not call the man?”

A little piece of hair dropped over his brow as an adorably shy smile crawled cross his lips. “Yes, please.”

I didn’t know what the hell was happening between us, but it didn’t feel like a weekend pass anymore, at least not for me. He stated clear as a train derailment that he didn’t do relationships. Maybe he was just jealous in the heat of the weekend.

All I knew was I needed to keep my brain separate from my emotions for once and live in the now.

This would likely be the hottest weekend of my life, one I’d relive every single day until I slid into my grave.

Not one of those his/her grave stones either because after having a man like Gabe, nobody would ever compare.

Something squeezed in my heart at the thought of it.

I’d spend the next few years dating and waiting for the zip and zing that I had with Gabe to be found with another, but it’d never be so.

I’d pass up any possible relationship, secretly pining for the hockey star who’d likely marry a super model, have super model babies, and live happily ever after.

Back to me though. I’d shut down any guy who gave me the time of day because he wasn’t Gabe, and eventually I’d be too old for anyone to want me.

I’d end up riding around the Mall of America on my scooter, that being my only opportunity for human interaction because I’d shut my family out and become a hermit.

I’d make friends with the guy who works at the coffee shop, I’m sure his name will be Larry, and he’d sneak me free ice coffees because he knew how pathetic my life was. Bummer.

Gabe’s nudged my shoulder. “What’re you thinking about?”

I was yanked back into the present to see Liv galloping back to the Jenga game while Gabe stared down at me. “Nothing.”

He chuckled. “That’s a lie. You get this little wrinkle between your brows when you mind starts running.”

Ed pointed to Gabe. “Wolkowski, you’re up.”

He pulled a block, and the whole tower swayed. “The worm.”

I pointed. “You’re screwed! I knew the girls would win!”

Gabe crossed his arms over his chest as Dan slapped his shoulder.

“Oh, Fern. Are you always so wrong?” He shot me a big old grin.

Clearly I was because with that, Gabe dropped to the floor, and did a hot-as-hell-light-me-on-fire worm.

I was almost breathless, along with the crowd of women that quickly gathered.

As I watched his biceps and that tushy of his, I knew Gabe had to be the most perfect man to ever walk the earth.

I wanted to jump on his back and ride him like a cowgirl, but I didn’t.

A bit later, I finally broke down and stood in the bathroom line that wove down the hall and crossed my legs, hoping to make it. Someone took my hand, and happiness vibrated through my veins when I saw those electric eyes looking down at me.