Page 82 of Doozer

He did, however, have on his boots, but they appeared to have been cleaned up for the occasion.

“What are you doing here?” I squeaked, and he closed the distance between us.

“You look beautiful,” he rasped, cupping my face, and kissing me gently.

I felt a sting in the back of my nose and blinked back tears. “So do you.”

He grinned. “You’re the only person on earth who could get me out of my kutte.”

“Apparently,” I mused. “How…? Why…?”

“Taxi informed me about the ball, and the doc called to see if I had any ideas on what I’d like you to wear.”

“Wait, what?” I gripped his tuxedo jacket. “You knew about the shopping torture?”

“He paid for it,” Jette piped in, and Doozer frowned.

“That was supposed to be confidential.”

“Oh, whoops. Sorry,” she said, not looking at all sorry.

“You paid for this getup?” I accused.

“Baby, there was no way in hell I was lettin’ another man pay for my woman’s dress. So I told the doc I’d like to see you in red, and she did not disappoint. You are fuckin’ stunning.”

“You came all the way here just to see me in a red dress?”

“Yes and no.” He chuckled. “We’ll talk about that later.”

“Can we talk about it now…. back at the dorms?”

“No way in hell,” he said.

I wrinkled my nose. “You can’t possibly be comfortable in that monkey suit,” I said, sliding my hands up his chest.

“Ooh, careful of my right shoulder,” Doozer said, wincing.

“What’s the matter? What happened?”

“I’m okay, but I was sort of…well…stabbed.”

“Stabbed? Like with a knife?”

“A letter opener,” he replied. “Made of solid fourteen-carat gold.”

“What? Who stabbed you with a gold letter opener?”

“Judge Snodgrass. Apparently, it was as a birthday gift from his secretary.”

“Who’s Judge Snodgrass?”

“Baby, so much has happened since we last spoke, I barely know where to begin, and I promise I will fill you in on every detail but tonight is about you.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I have the prettiest girl in the world on my arm, I’m gonna put aside my discomfort and show you off. Besides, we have all the time in the world to get caught up.”

“How long are you here?” I asked.

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