Page 30 of Geordie

A caustic laugh escapes me at the mess that is my life. “Outside of Dalliance, I have no personal life.”

“Stephen seemed cocksure that you're his. Are you sure it's over?”

“What does it matter?” I’m frustrated at both of these men.

“Because I almost kissed you. I'd rather not kiss someone who has a fiancé.” He shifts his weight, his shoe scraping the wood of the dock. “That was an oversight on my part. I should've asked if there were any entanglements. But at the moment I was about to steal a kiss, it didn't seem to be the right time.”

Is that what that almost-kiss meant? An interest? After the breakup of a long-term relationship, how can I trust my instincts? I could be running from one disaster to another. It's too easy to fall into someone's arms, but is it wise?

“I have no entanglements; that's all in Stephen's head.”

He says nothing while he looks out.

Thank you, Stephen, for wrecking my party,I say to myself.

“I should stay at my birthday party. They threw it in my honor, and I'd love for you to stay as well.” He waits for the rest of the speech, not helping me through this awkwardness. “I'll understand if you don't. I'll pay for a rideshare.”

“I appreciate the offer.” I'm sensing he's going to choose the option to leave.

“Before you decide, you should know Stephen might come back to the party. I doubt it after the conversation we had, but you never know. Will you stay with me until the end of the party?”

“I will, if we can finish the dance we started.”

When we return to the Crystal Room, Molly attaches herself to my arm, pulling me away. “Don't leave,” I call to Geordie. “I'll be right back.” He nods, motioning me to go.

Molly pulls me into the dressing area. She opens curtains, checking if we're alone. “Are you and Stephen back together?” she asks, after checking the last changing room.

“Why did you have this party when I told you Stephen and I were done?”

“I didn't know the two of you had broken up until you told me over the phone. I couldn't stop a surprise party days before it was going to happen. You guys break up a lot. I figured by the time we had the party you would be back together again.”

She's right, but not this time. “There's no reconciliation. I told Stephen again that I don't want to go back to him.”

Molly pushes a stack of clothes on the long table over, sitting in its place. “Is Geordie your new boyfriend?”

I roll my eyes at her. “Why does everyone assume that we're together?”

“Oh, I don't know. Maybe the way he drools over you?”

We will be here all night if I don't ignore her jab. “I know you worked hard to arrange this party and I appreciate it, but after Stephen's visit, my party mood has left me. I don't want to seem ungrateful, but what else did you plan for this party?”

A disappointed frown creases her face. “We've done just about everything. This was never a dinner; it was only drinks and appetizers. I planned a roast. I asked some guests to talk about how they met you.”

“No roasting.” I'm adamant, so she understands this isn't happening. “Please end this party so I can leave with dignity. I need to take Geordie home; this might be too much for his leg.”

Molly narrows her eyes, like she just got a whiff of something she can't identify. “Are you two living together?”

“No, I'm taking him back to his apartment.”

“All right,” she says as she slips off the table. “I'll see what I can do. In the meantime, finish talking to everyone. I'll admit the momentum went out of this party when you left with Stephen.”

I rejoin Geordie to endure another few hours of us talking to friends until the interest in the party dies a natural death.

Geordie and I walk down the long hallway back to the entrance. All that time, I worry about what this outing has done to his recovery. Waiting for the SUV to be pulled up, we chat with a few guests from the party, watching them drive off in their vehicles until we're alone.

I'm relieved we got away without more drama. We’re standing a few feet away from the parking attendant’s podium when Stephen comes up in a dark overcoat, white shirt peeking over the collar, hair neatly combed. Surprise animates his face when he notices us, and I want to shrink into the background to avoid talking to him, but it's too late. A few strides and he's in front of us.

“Lily, I thought I wouldn't see you again tonight. I just finished having dinner in my suite and thought I would head back home to Saratoga. I'm glad I ran into you. In all the excitement, I didn't tell you happy birthday.”

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