by Mercer Scott
“That’s great, Marcus! Have you ever worked in a restaurant or taken cooking classes?” Natalia grabs her phone out of her purse and starts typing.
“Who are you texting right now?”
Natalia frowns at me and turns back to Marcus. “I’m taking notes on my phone. What were you saying before we were so rudely interrupted, Marcus?”
I’m not saying after one night at the Glass Balls talking about potential career options that Marcus and I have everything figured out. But Natalia really helped to talk it through and think of it in a way I never have before. And thankfully the risk of being too drunk to drive her home tonight because I said something about being a SEAL and had to down my beer kept my mind far, far away from anything Navy SEAL-related. Marcus wasn’t as focused, and he’s going to be feeling it tomorrow.
Driving Natalia home was the least I could do to pay her back for tonight. The Maui night air is blowing freely into my open Jeep, and mixing with Natalia’s sweet perfume. Her dark hair is blowing out behind her, and she keeps trying and failing to contain it. But she doesn’t complain about the wind, the open Jeep, or anything else for that matter. Progress.
“You really didn’t need to drive me home, Cooper.”
“I told you that it didn’t make any sense for Lara’s security to come from home and pick you up at the Glass Balls when taking you home is on my way. And thanks for tonight.”
Natalia’s pretty pink lips twitch. “Thanks for what? Being your gateway to fried shrimp?”
“Well, that and for being so great with Marcus. He’s had a rough time adjusting back to civilian life. It was good to see him talking and laughing.”
“You don’t have to thank me for that. Marcus is great. I think I like him more than I like you, if I’m being honest.” She gives me a huge smile.
“Oh, so you admit that you do like me?” I can’t wipe the smile off of my face.
Natalia shakes her head at me. “I don’t think I said that.”
“Trust me, you did.”
“Well, I still like Marcus more.”
“Uh-huh, sure, you do.” Reaching out to the dash, I turn the dial to change the song on the radio. Bertha is radio only, just the way I like her.
“Cooper! Cooper! Stop! What are you doing?”
“Uhhh, I thought I was changing the radio station. But the way you’re acting, I’m pretty sure that I did something else? Why don’t you tell me what it is that I’m doing, so that we both know?”
“You just changed the station. When Zariah Ferré was playing!”
“And I’m picking up that that you think that’s a bad thing?” I have no idea what’s going on her, but I’m happy to play along.
“It’s practically a crime. I could report you to the ZaZaFamz.” She’s shaking her head at me like I should be concerned about the Za-whatever-it-is-fam knowing about this. Even if I’m starting to think this woman’s crazy, she’s still cute as hell.
“What the hell is the Za-whatever-you-said? And why do I care if they know I changed the radio station in the middle of a Zariah Ferré song?”
Natalia is still shaking her head at me, and I can’t tell if she’s serious about this or just messing with me. “The ZaZaFamz is what the most devoted Zariah Ferré fans call ourselves-”
“Ourselves? So, you’re one of the za-za-what-cha-ma-call-it?”
“Oh, I’m an OG member of the ZaZaFamz! Zariah was my first concert when I was thirteen. She was only like fifteen then. And I’ve been to at least one of her shows, every single tour since then. I go see her Christmas show in New York every year. It’s tradition.”
“You fly from San Francisco to New York every Christmas just to see a Zariah Ferré concert that you’ve already seen a bunch of times?”
Natalia nods happily. So, she’s in New York at least for a few days every year. Noted.
“Have you ever considered the benefits of therapy? I can’t recommend it enough.”
“Oh, you definitely need to be reported to the ZaZaFamz. This kind of insult will not be tolerated. They will come for you.”
“Wait, I thought you said you were in the ZaZaFamz? Can’t you just report me to yourself? I don’t think I’d mind however you want to punish me.” I lean in suggestively. “Feel free to be creative.”
“I know just the right punishment for your insolence to the one and only goddess, Zariah Ferré,” she says with a huge smile. “You have to go to the dance that the veterans’ hospital is throwing next week. Marcus told me about it when you were in the bathroom. He didn’t say it, but I think he wants to go to it, or why else would he mention it? And he needs you to be his wingman. This is perfect! I’ll get him to request all the Zariah songs. So, you can spend a few hours of quality time listening to the timeless magic that is Zariah Ferré.” Natalia smiles smugly at me.
“Marcus asked you to a dance?” I don’t like the spike of jealousy that idea gives me.
“Of course, not. Marcus told me about a dance.”
“Are you sure?”
“I think I know when I’m being asked out, Cooper.”
“Do you? Because I keep asking you out, and you don’t seem to be getting it.”
“Oh, I get it. I’m just saying no.”
“Keep telling yourself that. Okay, so you expect me to go to some dance with Marcus, that’s probably just a bunch of dudes standing around? And listen to Zariah Ferré songs?”
“Exactly.”
Wait, this is perfect. “How will you know if I do any of this if you’re not there to see it for yourself?”
“Marcus can tell me about it. He can text me photographic evidence.”
“Based on how tonight went, I don’t think like the two of you texting each other at all. But Marcus is a loyal guy, and I don’t think he’s going to just turn on me like that.”
“Hmmm, I guess we’ll have to see about that.” Natalia smiles back at me.
“Yeah, you will see. When you come to the stupid dance and see me suffering for yourself. I’ll pick you up at seven.” It’s not a question. Questions have been getting me nowhere with her.
For a minute, it looks like she’s going to argue with me. Or just outright tell me to get lost. But she doesn’t. Maybe she wants to come with me as much as I want her to? Or maybe she cares enough about Zariah Ferré to spend a night with me that doesn’t include talking about the damn hospital committee? I’m going to have to Google this whole Za-what-in-the-world-za situation later to find out exactly what I’m getting myself into. But Natalia is finally going on a date with me, and I’ll take what I can get.
Chapter Ten
Natalia
Tonight, is the night. The night that I’ve been dreading. And the night that I’ve maybe been looking forward to, just a little bit.
The stupid dance at the veterans’ hospital is tonight. Okay, it’s not a stupid dance. It’s a really great thing for all the veterans at the hospital to have something to look forward to during their recovery.
But it’s not for me. Or it shouldn’t be. Except that Cooper tricked me into going with him. Or just going? I don’t even know. It’s not like he asked me out. Because if he had asked me out, I would absolutely have said no. That’s not what we’re doing here. We are just working together for the hospital committee. That’s it.
And maybe we’ve been hanging out a little more than is strictly necessary for hospital committee duties. But Cooper was just showing me some of the island. And I am on vacation, after all. Even if I’m not entirely sure that it’s still considered vacation when I don’t know whether or not I have a job to go back to. But this is most definitely not a date.
It’s just two people going to a dance at a veterans’ hospital – separately, but together – so one of those people can ensure that the other one of those people performs his punishment for having the audacity to insult the goddess, Zariah Ferré.
It’s totally simple. Obvious to anyone. I’m sure it’s obvious to Cooper. There is no way that he t
hinks this is a date. Of course, he doesn’t. Because I’ve made it very clear since the minute that I met him that I’m not interested. So, I don’t know why I’m even thinking the D-word. Wait, I’m not entirely sure the D-word means date. I think it means dick. There’s not going to be any of that either. No Dr. Dick. And definitely no Cooper Hamilton dick. Most definitely not. Not even a question about it. This is strictly business. ZaZaFamz business.
And I take nothing more serious than I do my job, my friends, Zariah Ferré, and being a part of the ZaZaFamz. There’s just something about ZaZa. I mean, I named my cat in her honor. Her music has brought me through basically every bad thing that’s ever happened to me. Zariah is just my girl.
So, now I need to find something to wear that is remotely eighties, because to add insult to injury, it’s a theme dance. An eighties-themed dance. Cooper and Marcus both failed to mention that part. And I don’t care if it’s an eighties dance and Zariah’s first album didn’t come out until the two-thousands, if they don’t play me my Zariah, then I’m leaving.
When my life was falling apart and I was shoving random clothing into a suitcase on my way to Maui, I wasn’t exactly planning on dressing up to go to an eighties dance. I really have no idea what I brought that would work. Maybe I should have gone to the mall or something?
I’m lost in thought about malls and costumes when I walk into my bedroom and see Veronica sitting on my bed and Lara standing at the vanity by the window.
Lara and Veronica sitting out back with a glass of wine? Yeah, sure. That would be normal. Veronica and Lara drinking wine in my room and looking like they’re ready to pounce? No, that’s not suspicious at all.
“Hey… what are you doing in here?”
“Waiting for you,” Veronica answers innocently.
Lara glances over at Veronica and then back to me. “And getting ready for the dance.”
“Why?” I demand, confused. “You’re not going to the dance.” Then it hits me. “What did you do?”
“Why so paranoid all of a sudden?” Lara sits down and dramatically taps her face with the large kabuki make-up brush in front of her.
“It’s not all of a sudden. And it’s because I know you.” As I frown down at her, she won’t quite meet my eyes.
“You think you know, but you have no idea,” Veronica calls out from the bed, then bursts out laughing.
“Don’t even start with me, V! Making me laugh won’t help you this time. One of you needs to tell me right now exactly why you think you’re going to this stupid dance that I don’t even want to go to.” I’m not going to deny it, I may have stomped my foot just a little bit when I said that. But Lara is up to something, and I need to know exactly what it is.
“Oh, I don’t think I’m going to the dance. I know I’m going to the dance! We all are!” Lara announces, holding up her glass.
Veronica is nodding and smiling from the bed.
“Neither of you are invited. And who exactly is we all?” I didn’t think it was possible for this night to get worse. But it’s happening. First, Cooper tricks me into saying that I’ll go to the stupid dance in the first place. And now this. Why are two of my best friends in the entire world trying to ruin my life? It’s almost like they want me to have fun or something? Why can’t they just leave me alone to be miserable forever?
“Oh, just Lara. And me… and Ty… and Deacon. Just the four of us. And you and Cooper.” At least Veronica has the good sense to pretend to be the least bit embarrassed about whatever shenanigans these people who used to be my friends think they’re getting up to.
“Oh, just Lara. And you. and Ty. And Deacon. Is that it?” I demand, shaking my foot and possibly stomping my foot again. I can’t confirm or deny the reports of foot stomping. “What about Bridget and Cassie? My mother?”
“I would never invite your mother to anything but a séance or a protest!” Lara says, still pretending to do her make-up at the pretty and impractical vanity.
“Bridget and Cassie couldn’t get away from work…” Veronica looks disappointed.
“Are you joking? You actually invited Bridget and Cassie? Cassie’s probably solving world peace or interviewing the Queen or something and Bridget probably has a big case. Whatever they’re doing, they don’t need to be coming all the way to Maui to go to a silly eighties dance? What were you two thinking?”
All I want to do is hide in my oversized bathroom until this night is over. Maybe, just maybe, I was starting to think it might not be so bad to spend a night out with Cooper. But now my friends are going to be there, and it’s just way too much pressure. I’m not ready for any of this. Part of me doesn’t know if I’ll ever be ready. How can I trust myself after Dr. Dick? I never saw him for what he was until I saw him inside of another woman.
And maybe I’m starting to feel like I know Cooper pretty well. But I’ve only known him for a few weeks. Dr. Dick had me fooled for over two years. Cooper is way, way too charming. He’s used to getting exactly what he wants. And maybe right now he wants me. Or, at least he thinks he does. But he’s recovering from a serious injury. And I’m convenient. I’m sure that he doesn’t really like me, even if he thinks he does.
“I’m waiting…”
“We were… just thinking that tonight was a big step for you. And you could maybe use some moral support.” Veronica smiles at me as she shrugs. She looks disappointed. Oh great. Now, I’m the bad guy. My friends were looking out for me, and I’m the jerk.
The breath I’ve been holding on to so tightly slowly escapes past my lips in a stream of warm air. This is all happening, whether I like it or not. The dance. Cooper. My friends coming. What’s the point in fighting it?
Walking over to sit next to Veronica on the bed, I squeeze her hand. My eyes catch hers, and we both smile. I don’t need to say anything at all. Not a single word. We’ve been friends for long enough to know what we mean to each other.
Then I glance over at Lara. She’s slowly brushing her hair now, but I can see her watching Veronica and me in the mirror. Lara hates for anyone to know it, but deep down, very, very deep down, she has a sweet side.
I cock my head at her. “How did you even get invited to this thing? It’s a private event for veterans being put on by the hospital.”
Lara laughs. “When you’re willing to donate enough money to a good cause, you basically have a ticket to anywhere you want to go.”
“Deacon’s created a monster.” I can’t help but laugh.
“Please. Deacon had nothing to do with it. Our girl’s always been a monster! And that’s why we love her.”
“Well, we love her… I’m not exactly sure that’s why.” As I shake my head, I can’t keep the smile off my face. “You know this is a costume party, right? It’s eighties night. It’s going to be like a terrible high school dance. Are you guys sure you even want to come?”
“One hundred percent.”
“Not even a question.”
Lara stands up and walks to the door of my room. “Wait for it….” She races out and returns in a couple of minutes with a clothes rack covered in a big, white sheet. “Are you ready for this? No, you’re not. You couldn’t be…”
“Just show us already!” Veronica begs. “I’ve been dying to see!”
“See what?” I don’t have to wonder for long, because Lara whips off the sheet to show a long row of dresses. There’s metallic, tutus, neon snakeskin, and just about every other eighties fashion crime hanging right there in front of me.
I fall forward laughing so hard that I think I’m going to fall off the bed. Veronica reaches out an arm and grabs me. “What is this stuff?”
“Wardrobe.” Lara says simply. “If we’re doing eighties night, we’re doing eighties night right. I ordered stuff for the guys to wear, too. Ty and Cooper are coming over later to get ready. But I figured we’d need a lot more time. There’s a lot of hair that needs to be crimped ladies. And I bought some extra eyebrow pencils. It’s about to get straight up-Brooke Shi
elds in here.”
“Wait, Cooper knew about this?” I demand, just catching up to what Lara is saying.
She nods and smiles innocently back at me. There is nothing innocent about Lara. Not one single thing. “I told him it was a surprise and that you love surprises.”
“You know that’s the problem with being friends with the same people for so long. I do love surprises, and you know it!” I can’t even pretend to be angry anymore. “Okay, let me at these clothes! I’m dying!”
Standing up, I race over to the clothes rack and start running my hands over all the dresses, skirts, and everything in between.
“Thanks for this. You’re always too much. And somehow just the right amount.” I reach out and squeeze Lara’s hand. She’s not one for mushy stuff, but she squeezes my hand right back.
Lara thought of everything. We’re all different sizes, and there are clothes to fit each of us. Lara is a teeny, tiny size zero, and Veronica is a curvy, size sixteen. And I’m somewhere in the middle. And none of us are going to feel out of place or anything but amazing tonight. Lara may not be into the mushy stuff, but she is a really, really great friend.
“It’s fashion show time,” Lara announces, holding out a spectacularly awful purple snakeskin dress. “V, I’m going to need to see you try this one on. I think the purple snakeskin is going to go really well with your hair,” she says seriously before bursting into laughter.
“Fine, but you’re trying on that lime green and orange minidress,” Veronica replies. “It’s hideous in the best way.”
“Already had my eye on it,” Lara says happily. She would want to wear that hideous dress. And of course, she’ll still look amazing in it.
As I flip through from hanger to hanger, nothing really catches my eye. Until I find the one. It’s neon pink. It’s skin-tight satin with a heart-shaped neckline. And then it busts out into a tulle tutu around the hips. “Oh, this is too good. Get me all the blue eye shadow, because we have a winner.”
Lara laughs. “It’s perfect.”