Page 48 of Blinded
GT squeezed Sandra’s hand before he let her go and said, “Let’s get this congratulation business over with so we can mingle and meet the new people.”
Ruby held out her arms, and Sandra returned her hug eagerly. Other Club Indigo members closed in on them. GT held out his hand to Jim, who pulled him into a one-armed hug before he carefully embraced Paula, who kissed him on the cheek and whispered something that had GT laughing. In seconds, the huge group of friends surrounded them. Sandra kissed and hugged so many people, it seemed like the entire club had come. She was happy although a bit overwhelmed by the attention. Once again, she was pleased by their secret wedding. Gisela’s plan for an event with over five hundred guests – most of whom were people Sandra barely knew – had been one of her biggest nightmares. She’d had enough of her mother’s plans to last a lifetime. Sandra hated the pointless small talk with politicians, bankers and social butterflies. She preferred meaningful conversations with close friends, like those from Club Indigo.
After getting more hugs than she thought there were people, the group separated as some of the members moved to welcome new attendees to the munch. Ruby, one of the designated hosts for the evening, marched right up to an imposing African-American man, and Sandra admired her friend’s open demeanor to newcomers. She remembered how she’d met Ruby. It had been her first day at school in Kansas City after UMB had promoted her father, and they’d had to move. Sandra had been so miserable and scared, but Ruby had walked right up to her and stated, “I’m Ruby and I like your hair. We’re going to be best friends. What’s your name?” She grinned at the memory. She had felt shy and out of place, and Ruby had made her feel welcome and accepted from the start. She smiled as Will pulled away from the group and followed Ruby to the stranger. She was interested to see how that would play out.
Sandra wasn’t ready to mingle and was thankful when GT appeared at her side. She accepted a small plate with finger foods and a glass of white wine from her husband. Sandra took a modest sip of the liquid and made a face. GT took the glass from her fingers and tasted the wine.
“Okay, I must admit,” he said as he lowered the glass, “Gisela would have chosen better wine.”
Sandra laughed out loud as she placed the finger food on a nearby table and threw her arms around his neck. He grabbed her waist and pulled her to him. GT bent and worshipped her mouth until she was breathless. Sandra liked the catcalls and friendly ‘get a room’ suggestions so much better than Gisela’s reaction to public displays of affection. She might not be related to these people by blood, but this was family to her.
GT pulled back to gaze into her eyes, and her heart rate quickened as she whispered, “I love you, Doctor Lewis.”
He squeezed her against his body. “I love you, too, Doctor Duncan-Lewis.”
