Page 25 of Geordie

“Is it your kink to see grown women in school uniforms?”

“Well, I also like nurses and naughty teachers,” he says with a straight face.

“Fine, then let me help you find a costume before I change.”

The milling crowd turns toward us when I enter the room with Geordie. Whoever designed my costume got it a little too tight and a little too short.

To make sure I mimicked Britney in the video, I put my hair in two ponytails. I’m not blonde, so no one is going to mistake me for Britney Spears, but I might pass for one of her dancers in the video.

Molly rushes up to me. “You look so good. Girl, you’re really rocking that costume. What do you think of what I’m wearing?”

She makes a quick twirl. Molly looks more like Baby Spice, but she’s dressed like Posh Spice.

“I like the costume,” I say.

“This dress is from theWannabevideo.“ She sings a few lines until she notices Geordie. She looks up at him and her hand goes to my arm. “Can I talk to you for a few minutes? Sorry, Geordie, it’s just girl talk.”

“Honey,” my mom calls out from behind Molly. She’s walking toward me with Jack, her husband, by her side. Both are smiling.

“Hi, Mom.” I give her and even Jack a hug.

“I’m so happy they’ve thrown this party for you. You work so hard. I’m surprised that your crew from Dalliance is here. That must make you very happy.”

She glances over at Geordie.

“Mom, this is Geordie MacTavish, a friend of mine.” He holds out his hand in greeting. My mom’s face screws up in a strange configuration, looking at him, then glancing at me. “Nice to meet you. Call me Bethany.”

Molly clamps onto my arm again while whispering in my ear. “I really need to speak with you now.”

That was loud enough for everyone to hear.

Molly gives a nervous giggle. “I just need to tell Lily what to expect from the party. We’re going to play games and I wanted to know if she approves.”

We all stare at her.

“Can’t it wait? I want to talk to everyone and introduce Geordie before we start.”

“I can fix that, no problem,” Molly says, turning toward the crowd and clapping her hands. “May I have your attention?” She motions to a DJ for a mic. He comes up grudgingly, handing it to her. She mutters athank you, then snatches it from him. By now, everyone is watching. “Hello, everyone. Lily, the birthday girl, would like to say a few words.”

I frown at her for putting me on the spot. But I see her point, it’s the fastest way to introduce Geordie to the room. Molly thrusts the mic in my hands. The sound system amplifies my voice, making it a little overwhelming. “Thank you, everyone, for coming. You really surprised me. I had no idea you were planning a birthday party. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.” I hook my arm in his, pulling him beside me. “This is Geordie MacTavish, a friend. Please make him feel welcome.” There is a smattering of applause, which Geordie grins at. “Now I’ll turn it over to Molly, who will let us all know what’s in store tonight.”

Molly frowns at me as if she’s angry, then turns to the gathering with a huge smile. “Tonight, as you know, will be a ’90s theme. We have DJ Crunk in the corner, who will spin only ‘90s records. If you have a request, he will play it as long as it’s from that decade. We’ll be serving hors d’oeuvres, which will come around to everyone shortly. I see all of you sighing because Lily is such a talented chef; the food we’re about to serve are her personal favorites.”

Waiters appear dressed in black, circulating among the crowd with trays.

“Please feast on pizza rolls, mini burritos, bagel bites, and Hot Pockets. If you would like something sweet, we’ll have some of Lily’s guilty pleasures, fruit roll-ups and toaster strudel.”

The servers offer the obviously microwaved snacks of the ’90s to the guests, causing a ripple of laughter to go through the party.

“We have a full bar, but you can also request special ’90s-inspired cocktails. So, let’s circulate, eat, and dance a bit. We’ll play games later before we have cake.”

I’m giggling as the lights dim. The DJ kicks up the music with Britney Spears’I’m Not That Innocent. Some guests head for the dance floor, while others need more liquid courage to attempt public gyrations.

I’m on tiptoes to be heard above the music and scream into Geordie’s ear. “Why don’t we find you somewhere to sit and I’ll get you a whiskey?”

Chapter thirteen

Even Stephen

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