“Even with the jack-o’-lantern that barfed guacamole?” Rome chuckled.
“Especially because of the jack-o’-lantern that barfed guacamole!” she giggled.
Suddenly Rome’s hand that had been holding Tierney’s in dance position released hers, sliding up the underside of her arm as he directed it to rest on his shoulder as well, before taking her waist tightly between both his strong, capable hands and pulling her even more tightly against him.
In order to avoid looking idiotically awkward, Tierney slid her hands to the back of his neck and laced her fingers together. After all, it was the natural progression leading to a more intimate dance—or at least so Tierney had seen in movies.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,” Rome said as he grinned at her. “Mom and Dad…it’s their goal for this thing, to make sure everyone has a great time, that they just let go of all their worries and enjoy themselves. Their opinion is that life can be demanding, stressful, and disappointing a lot of the time, but once in a while, you oughta be able to get together with friends and family and just have fun—leave your cares at the door and just eat, talk, eat some more, dance, and most of all laugh. So they’ll be very happy to know you’re enjoying it…even with the barfing pumpkin.”
They danced in silence for a moment again. He was so warm! She smiled, suddenly amused by his swinging braids for some reason.
“What?” Rome asked. “Are my cornrows and braids just too sexy for words or something?”
Tierney giggled and confessed, “Actually, yes.” Embarrassed by having openly admitted that she found Rome attractive, she began to backpedal a little by teasing him. “And I’ve always wanted to slow dance with one of the Milli Vanilli guys.”
Rome’s smile broadened. “But with which one? Milli or Vanilli?” He quirked one eyebrow and asked, “And which one did you say I am again?”
“Rob,” Tierney answered—though Rome Novak was far and away more masculine, more attractive, and much larger than Rob Pilatus had been. “I just still can’t believe I’m actually dancing with Milli Vanilli,” she answered at last. “I mean, it’s like a dream come true!”
Rome’s smile broadened to display his movie-star white teeth. “So it’s always been a fantasy of yours, has it? To have a special moment with one of the Milli Vanillis?” he frowned a little. “Rob, is it?”
“Yes,” she affirmed. Lowering her voice to a whisper and lifting herself on her tiptoes, she added, “The best looking one.”
Rome smiled. “And this Milli Vanilli fantasy of yours…always involved what? Just dancing?” A spark of roguishness leapt into his mesmerizing eyes as he continued, “Or was it maybe a little more like this?”
Tierney gasped a bit as Rome promptly ended their dance, keeping hold of her hand as he began to lead her from the dance floor and back into the house. Before Tierney could even think to ask what their intended destination was, they had apparently arrived at it—the hallway that led to the bottom-floor bedrooms.
Her heart began to beat faster as Rome then pushed her up against the wall and, in a lowered voice that had the same intoxicating effect on Tierney as she imagined alcohol would, asked, “Or was it more like this? Having either Milli or Vanilli shove you up against the wall and…” Pushing Tierney’s hands up against the wall above her head, Rome held them with one hand as his other took hold of her chin. He grinned a purely seductive grin and said, “After all…we both know that I’m just the guy to fulfill all your fantasies, right?”
Is he kidding? Tierney had just enough time to think before Rome’s mouth pressed against hers in a firm but testing-the-waters sort of kiss.
“Right?” he mumbled before kissing her again.
“A-apparently so,” Tierney managed to stammer in a whisper.
Rome grinned with pleased triumph and released his grip on her hands in order to take her face between his.
“You’re a really good sport,” he said. “Do you know that?”
He didn’t allow even a moment for Tierney to respond—just pressed his mouth to hers again in another firm but almost cautious kiss. Yet as Tierney’s arms slid down the wall, her hands coming to rest at Rome’s wrists as he held her face, she did allow herself to be lost in his kiss—and in kissing him back.
Without breaking the seal of their kiss, Rome directed her hands to rest at the back of his neck. Tierney was rendered breathless as he then put his hands at her waist, pulling her against him, as his mouth ground to hers in a more demanding kiss—moist, heated, and entirely knee-weakening.
“Rome Novak—let that girl breathe a minute and get out here and help your father move the refreshment table so we can have more room for people to dance!”
Tierney felt her face blush crimson at the sound of Mrs. Novak’s voice. Even as Rome broke the seal of their mouths, grinned at her, and tweaked her nose, her blush intensified. She was entirely humiliated! A guest in Mr. and Mrs. Novak’s home—a first-time guest, in fact—and there she stood kissing their son!
“Mom!” Rome scolded, however, turning to face his mother. “I’m kissing a girl right now.”
“I can see that,” Mrs. Novak said, smiling and winking at Tierney with understanding. “But your father needs help. You can get back to it after you’ve helped him move the table.”
Rome shook his head as he released Tierney and turned to face her mother. “Oh, sure, Mom…like she’s ever going to let me get her alone again after knowing that my mother is just gonna to walk up and—”
Mrs. Novak smiled and laughed, however—kissed Rome on the cheek and patted his butt as if he were a naughty toddler as she reached out to take Tierney’s hand. “Run along, Romeo,” she giggled. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to Tierney all night.” Smiling at Tierney, she added, “Until now.”
“Oh, all right,” Rome grumbled. Wagging an index finger at his mother, however, he added, “But don’t tell her about any of my bad qualities or go showing her my naked baby pictures or anything. Do you hear me?”
“Run along, puppy,” Mrs. Novak said, whacking Rome on the seat again. “Your dad’s waiting for you.”
Rome frowned, tossed his head a bit to throw his braids back away from his face, and grumbled, “See you later, Tierney. It seems I haven’t finished my chores.”
As he sauntered away, his Milli Vanilli braids swinging back and forth in perfect rhythm with his sexy swagger, Tierney’s smile returned. After all, how could she hold back a smile with such a perfect vision in front of her?
“He’s a good boy, you know…even for his tendency to pout a little here and there,” Mrs. Novak said, looking to Tierney with a happy smile.
Tierney nodded, returned Mrs. Novak’s smile, and hoped her blush was fading a bit.
“We met briefly, Tierney, but I’m afraid with all this hoo-ha, I haven’t had a chance to visit with you much,” Mrs. Novak began as she began to walk back toward the part of the house where the party was being held, still holding Tierney’s hand in leading her. “But we think the world of Alec, and I’m sure you’re just as wonderful as he is. How are you liking Leavenworth?”
“Oh! It’s…it’s beautiful,” Tierney answered in full honesty. “And Alec swears it’s even gorgeous in the wintertime.”
“Oh, good! I’m so glad to hear that.” Mrs. Novak then turned, taking Tierney’s free hand in her free one. “Well, I suppose I should officially introduce myself again. It was so chaotic before. I’m Nikki, Nikki Novak, and we’re so glad you agreed to come tonight. Have you been having fun?”
Tierney paused a moment, astonished at the woman’s question. Was she kidding? Did Rome’s mother really think there was a chance Tierney wasn’t having fun? After all, the woman had just caught Tierney kissing her son!
Having decided to go the most direct and truthful route with her response, Tierney answered, “Mrs. Novak, this is the most incredible party I’ve ever been to!” And when Nikki Novak’s face lit up like the annual Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, Tierne
y knew her answer had pleased the woman. Thus, she decided to ramble on. “I’m not just saying that either. This is wonderful! Everything is so perfectly decorated, and all your friends…well, I’ve never, never experienced something like this. The lip syncs were…they were awesome! And the food…the dancing…it’s all so wonderful.” Tierney paused, smiling at the woman with sincere appreciation. “Thank you so much for allowing me to come.”
Behind her Professor Trelawney, pop-bottle-bottom glasses, Nikki’s eyebrows shot up into an astonished arch. “Allowing you to come? Are you kidding? We’re so delighted you were able to! Alec has been talking about your moving here nonstop since the moment you agreed to…and we couldn’t wait to meet you!” She paused a moment, and Tierney noticed the light of mischief similar to Rome’s that leapt to her eyes. “And as soon as Rome gets back from helping his father…you two can get back to what you were doing.” She winked at Tierney, and Tierney felt the blush of humiliation return to her cheeks.
“Oh! Oh, that,” she began. “Rome was just…actually, he was just teasing me about my thing for Rob Pilatus…you know, just sort of making fun of me.”
Nikki gasped, and her hand went to her bosom to cover her heart. “I loved Rob Pilatus!” she exclaimed in an almost reverenced sort of breathlessness. “When that song came on tonight…boy, did it take me back.” She smiled then and whispered, “I have to admit, I really had a thing for Rob back then. He was gorgeous! And when the boys showed up tonight and did their lip sync…” Nikki paused, shaking her head with admiration. “I mean, wasn’t that unreal? I loved it!”
“Me too! It was so incredible,” Tierney agreed.
She was thoughtful for a moment. As Nikki Novak looked to where Rome and his father were working to move the refreshment table, Tierney couldn’t help but notice the extreme and painfully obvious differences between Rome’s mother and her own. Tierney guessed her mother probably didn’t even know who Milli Vanilli was.
“Uh-oh,” Nikki said, drawing Tierney’s attention to where Rome had finished moving the table and was attempting to return to where she and his mother stood. “Uh-oh. Looks like nobody has asked Kimmey Stephens to dance yet. See? Over there, standing against the wall?”
Without pointing, Nikki managed to draw Tierney’s attention to a young woman standing up against one wall of the covered patio. At once, Tierney could see the obvious shyness the girl was experiencing. Not only that, but she wasn’t the most attractive young woman in the room. Tierney immediately felt bad for thinking such an unkind thing, and her compassion continued to soar.
“Please notice her, Rome,” Nikki whispered to herself. “Please, please, please notice her!”
Nikki Novak was the kindest, most thoughtful hostess Tierney had ever met! There she was, no doubt worn near to a frazzle from the preparations for the party and the energy exerted by the party itself, and yet she was still observant and caring enough to notice that one of her guests might not be having fun.
“Come on, Rome baby. Kimmey is right there. Come on,” Nikki mumbled as she and Tierney watched Rome stride toward them—approaching the place where Kimmey Stephens stood bashful and awkward against one wall.
Tierney heard Nikki exhale a heavy sigh of relief, and found that she too had been holding her breath in anticipation, as Rome suddenly stopped, looked to the place where Kimmey stood, and smiled at her. Tierney watched as he changed his trajectory, walked to Kimmey, and engaged her in conversation. The girl smiled, the luminance of pure delight pinking up her cheeks.
“That’s my boy! Always so thoughtful of widows and wallflowers,” Nikki quietly commented. “I’m so proud of him in that. He seems to have some sort of sixth sense with women, you know?” She looked to Tierney quizzically. “It’s like Rome has this radar and can always tell when a neglected woman is around. And he’s always the one to make sure she’s not overlooked…at least by him.”
“So he’s a real-life hero all the time,” Tierney offered. “Not just when a friend asks him to help talk a sister out of marrying the wrong guy, huh?”
Nikki looked to Tierney and giggled. “I really couldn’t believe Alec talked him into flying out there and doing that Latin lover thing.”
Nikki had confirmed Tierney’s suspicions—that Rome’s family knew about his flying out to California at Alec’s request and attempting to talk Tierney out of marrying Dillon. She blushed with more humiliation, but she wasn’t angry, for she liked and admired the fact that the Novak family was so closely knit.
“Believe it or not, he was actually kind of shy as a child, my Rome,” Nikki said, returning her attention to where Rome was now leading Kimmey out onto the dance floor. “Alec has really been good for him.” She looked to Tierney, adding, “They’ve been good for each other.”
Tierney nodded as she looked back to where Rome was dancing with Kimmey Stephens—to where he was slow dancing with her, smiling down at her, talking to her. Tierney silently scolded herself for the sharp twinge of jealousy it caused to rise in her. It was obvious the girl was in heaven being in the arms of the handsome Rome Novak—and if anybody knew how she felt, it was Tierney. Besides, she was happy for the girl—though she did secretly hope that Rome didn’t somehow fall madly in love with Kimmey as they danced.
“He’s such a handsome guy, isn’t he?” Nikki asked. “My Rome?”
What could Tierney say? “Yes, he is.” She would’ve looked ridiculous if she’d tried to deny it to the man’s mother.
Nikki looked to Tierney and laughed. “Isn’t it funny? How handsome Rome is and how beautiful our Celeste is?”
Certainly she knew that both Rome and Celeste weren’t Nikki’s biological children, but Nikki Novak was very striking in her own way. Maybe not strikingly beautiful at the moment, all decked in her Professor Trelawney garb and glasses. But Tierney had seen Nikki remove her glasses earlier in the evening, and she was a very pretty woman!
“Why is it funny?” Tierney asked.
Nikki giggled, shrugged, and answered, “Because Eddie and I are so plain white and boring.” She gestured to Rome. “Rome and Celeste, on the other hand—exotic and unusually attractive.”
“There’s nothing plain about you, Mrs. Novak. I think you’re beautiful,” Tierney honestly offered. “And Mr. Novak is very handsome…at least for what I can tell through his Captain America mask and all.”
Nikki laughed and suddenly threw her arms around Tierney in an appreciative hug. “Oh, you are a jewel, Tierney! Thanks for coming tonight! And remember to call me Nikki, okay?”
“Thank you, again, for having me,” Tierney giggled as Rome’s mother released her.
Nikki studied her for a moment. “First Alec and now you,” she said. “Our family just doubled its wealth where good friends are concerned. I can already tell.”
The music stopped then, and Tierney found she smiled with empathetic joy as she watched Rome thank Kimmey for the dance—even kiss her on the cheek. A man who was always aware and caring of the feelings of “widows and wallflowers” was a rare man indeed.
Then, as the familiar strains of a very familiar song began, Tierney laughed when Rome looked to Alec and shouted, “Dude! It’s our song!”
Cupping her hands to her mouth, Nikki called, “Encore! Encore!” as the opening synthesizer solo of “Girl, You Know It’s True” continued. Everyone cheered and clapped; Rome and Alec moved to the center of the circle.
Tierney laughed as her brother and his friend started to dance, beginning a repeat performance of their lip sync of Milli Vanilli’s infamous video. As she watched the Novaks’ guests reveling in being thoroughly entertained—as she observed everyone watching Rome and Alec and singing along to the chorus of the song—such a powerful sense of euphoric happiness rose in Tierney that she wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry.
Truthfully, Tierney had never seen such sincere, carefree joy as she saw on the faces of the Novaks and their guests. She’d never felt the sensation herself before that night and marveled a
t the profoundly emotional quality of it. Her cares seemed so small and insignificant in that moment. She giggled as she watched Rome’s braids swinging back and forth as he danced and Alec mouthed the early rap-style verse. Dang, Rome Novak was gorgeous! It was totally wrong for a man to be that attractive!
“Come on!” Rome hollered. “Everybody!” He motioned for everyone to join them in dancing, but Tierney stepped back instead of forward the way everyone else did.
“No, no, no, you don’t!” Alec laughed, however. “She knows this whole thing cold, man!” he told Rome.
As Rome’s eyebrows arched in admiration, Tierney shook her head. She had no desire to draw any attention to herself.
“Come on, Tiers!” Alec said as he and Rome strode over, taking her arms and pulling her toward the center of the floor. Alec took Tierney’s shoulders between his strong hands, stared down into her eyes, and said, “Let it all go, Tierney. Just have fun. You gotta live for the moment sometimes…and this is one of those times.”
“Hey!” Rome shouted, turning toward the guy who was working the sound system. “Start it over, Kyle…would you?”
The guy nodded, and the music stopped for a moment. As the music began again, Tierney watched as Mr. and Mrs. Novak began to dance—as everyone began to dance.
“Come on,” Alec said. “Show Rome what you can do.”
Standing on either side of her, Rome and Alec began to mimic the steps Milli Vanilli performed in their video.
But when Tierney still paused, Rome leaned down and whispered into her ear, “Oh, come on, Tierney. Are you gonna tell me you can let a complete stranger talk you into busting up your wedding…but you can’t dance in public?”
Tierney smiled a little. Rome was right. What did she have to worry about? Everybody else in the room looked like complete idiots, so why shouldn’t she join them?
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