Page 83 of Easy Reunion
“I’ll have to tease him about that the next time he tries to raid his cousin Angel’s closet.” I hold out my hand. “Kelsey.”
Before I know what’s happening, I’m being pulled from my seat and engulfed in a huge hug. “Oh, sugar. I know just who you are. Raquel comes in with your books each time a new one is released.” Then in his real voice, Magnolia says, “Your books give the child inside of all of us hope, Ms. Long.”
Gently pulling back, I’m overwhelmed with the bright emotion flagging her cheeks.
She claps her hands together. “Enough. Now, do any y’all have any allergies?”
Mutely, we exchange glances before shaking our heads no. Madame Magnolia just smiles. “Then you let ole Mad Mags here order for you while you enjoy the show.”
Suddenly, Cade’s coughing savagely into his napkin.
Lisa reaches over and cups the side of his face. “Babe? You okay?”
“Fine. Water went down the wrong pipe.”
“That happens a lot for first-timers,” Magnolia clucks with false sympathy. Brushing her hand over my shoulder, she says, “I’ll take your menus. Zach will be back for your drinks shortly.”
There’s a pregnant pause before Ry turns to Cade. “You’re the damn doctor. Am I wrong, or was there an Adam’s apple…”
“You’re right,” Cade agrees.
Just then, Zach returns, no longer focused on Ry but on me. “Ms. Long, it’s an honor to have you here.” He bows slightly. “Madame would like to let you know your evening meal is complimentary, and she hopes you enjoy the show.”
“Oh, but I…we couldn’t.”
He chuckles before lowering his voice. “It’ll take an argument much stronger than that to change Mad Mags’s mind.”
Again, at the nickname, Cade chokes on his drink.
Zach offers him a wide smile before straightening. “Since your companion seems to have difficulty with water, why don’t we get him something else to drink. Sir? Something from the bar?”
“Bourbon,” Cade declares immediately. Turning to Lisa, he gives her a pleading look. “Please tell me you’ll drive home.”
“Boy, are you going to owe me,” she mutters. “I’ll take a glass of pinot.”
“The same for me,” I tack on, knowing instinctively Ry’s going to go drink for drink with Cade.
He searches my eyes. I touch his leg and smile. “You can’t let him suffer your sister alone,” I tell him teasingly.
Without losing my gaze, he orders, “Bourbon for me as well.” Then he leans down and says, “In case I forget to tell you later, you give good girlfriend.”
Brushing my nose against his, I say honestly, “I’m just following my guy’s example. It makes it easy.”
Slinging his arm around my chair, Ry proves immediately why he’s been friends with Cade for years when he asks, “So, who did you piss off at the hospital? I’m assuming they’re the ones who recommended we bring our girlfriends to a drag show for a date?”
Soon, all four of us are having a blast. Magnolia sends over an exceptional dancer to entertain Lisa and me during the show. Ry and Cade relax enough to join us when we pose for pictures with the ladies later.
“That was so much fun,” I tell Ry as I drive us home afterward. “I’m even more amazed now by the transformation Raul goes through for his performances! I mean, I’ve seen photos, but seeing it live is completely different. You’d never know without his stage makeup; he’s practically Carlos’s twin!”
Ry’s hand is resting warmly on my thigh. He squeezes it. “You’re the amazing one.” His voice is contemplative.
Pulling up to the gate protecting the back of the house, I glance over at him. The expression is filled with tenderness. I face forward as I drive his Mercedes through the gate. “What do you mean?” After pulling into the garage, I put the car in park, turn it off, and face him.
He runs his hand through my hair lazily. “Sweetheart, everywhere we go, people are grateful to get to meet you because of the way you’ve influenced their lives. And as horrific as it was, it’s because you relate to them here.” He lays his hand gently over my heart. “I don’t know if you can see how you make people stronger, braver, by having broken your silence.”
I shake my head wordlessly, unable to reconcile something as simple as being humble and human with what Ry’s saying.
“You celebrate the victories of the survivors, my love.” I inhale sharply at the term of endearment. I’m afraid to say anything lest I break the spell Ry’s under. “You give people courage, power, strength to do what should come naturally but may not. Through here—” He touches my head. “—from here—” His fingers graze my heart again. “—using these.” He grips my hands. “And even if you don’t feel the same way, loving you is the best thing that will ever happen to me.” He leans in and his lips brush mine gently.
