Three of Spades

by W. Ferraro

  Natalie’s heart skipped a few beats as she pulled the soft argyle sweater over her head. Did CeCe know? Turning back around to face her friend, Natalie noticed how CeCe stood with the beautiful scenery from the window giving her presence a wonderful background.

  Her jeans hugged her legs, emphasizing her womanly curves. The black top with the shiny silver rivets accentuating the low scoop neck design was casual, yet extremely sexy on CeCe. Natalie envied her ability to be able to pull off something like that effortlessly. With her eyebrows downward, her hands on her hips, and the toe of her black cowboy boots tapping, she reminded Natalie of Dylan, very much. Even though they were not blood kin, their idiosyncrasies were identical.

  Natalie decided to confess, partially. “CeCe, I’ve gone and done something terrible. So very terrible, I’m not sure if I can live through the stupidity of it, and or, eventual obviousness of the outcome.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Squeezing her eyes shut and taking a deep breath, Natalie reopened her eyes and with a small smile on her face she said, “I have gone ahead and fallen completely in love with Dylan.”

  Wow, was that all? CeCe had to admit how concerned she was there for a moment. Finding relief she asked sarcastically, “So?”

  “So . . . I know that in the end, it is just going to be me with a broken heart without him,” Natalie said voicing her fear. She refused to use the word alone, there was still a chance she could be carrying Dylan’s child.

  Taking the seat that Natalie had vacated, CeCe sat in a perpetually well-bred fashion with one leg thrown over the arm of the chair and leaning on her elbow on the other arm. “I really don’t think you have anything to worry about. It is as evident as that scar on his chin that he is crazy about you. It’s true I haven’t heard him say the L-word, but I know Dylan, sometimes a little better than he knows himself. I have seen him with other woman, he has fun and enjoys himself, but there is something different about him with you. He is constantly aware of you. You two seem to communicate on a subliminal level. Honestly Natalie, he actually seems genuinely happy. That is something, if you really knew Dylan he has not been deep down inside with those other woman. Almost like, he was just passing the time until his match came along.” Afraid that she may have said too much but certain in her heart that her words were true, CeCe watched as hope spread across her friends face.

  After they descended the stairs, she said her goodbyes to her pair of friends. She watched, as she headed toward the front door, Dylan pull Natalie down onto his lap and heard Natalie’s quiet laugh. When she closed the door behind her, she headed toward her car and knew she would be having a private conversation with Dylan, soon. This particular conversation would contain, as most of them do, some bluntness, vulgarity and always honesty. Dylan needed to tell Natalie what was plainly evident to CeCe; he was equally as much in love with Natalie as she was with him.

  Natalie chose to spend the evening before the Gala in her own home, especially since CeCe was picking her up early to head down to the Hawthorne. The ladies were going to have brunch before checking in, then the ritual of hair and makeup would begin. The plan was to meet their men at the bottom of the lobby’s grand staircase at 6:30pm. Realizing she had not checked the phone messages in a few days, she was surprised to find three were from RJ. Each time, asking her if luck was on his side and her no good man dumped her to give him his opening. After listening to them all, Natalie smiled as she walked back to her room. RJ sounded nice and perhaps if her heart had not already belonged to Dylan, she may have even taken his interest as positive. However, with her grip on CeCe’s words and her own hearts desperate plea, Natalie fell asleep believing tomorrow may be the day Dylan would tell her he loved her.

  ~SIXTEEN~

  Once CeCe pulled her mustang into the main approach to the Hawthorne, Natalie could see that Dylan’s eye was much a part of the architectural design of the building. The lines of the structure were classic, yet with a modern twist. CeCe had explained the large hotel offered twelve floors, two massive ballrooms, multiple conference centers, three restaurants, two bars, one that housed a full stage for live music and a dance floor, and lastly, a full spa offering all kinds of services from massage to skin treatments.

  Natalie was still reeling from the site of such a beautiful, yet massive building when CeCe pulled under a covering at the front of the building. A set of young men, dressed in black vests over deep blue shirts and ties, opened first CeCe’s door then Natalie’s. Once they removed their small bags from the trunk and garment bags from the rear hooks, CeCe passed off her keys to the valet and led Natalie to the front desk. They walked on the high gloss black and white tiles across the large three-story lobby, which opened to the first couple of floors walkways and seating areas. Natalie watched as CeCe headed toward the check in desk. An overly chipper young woman, in a uniform similar to the valets, checked her in and handed her two card keys. A man with a luggage cart gleaming with high polished brass took their things and told them they would be waiting for them in their suite. CeCe guided Natalie toward the restaurant where they took a seat at a spacious table and awaited Robyn and Mae. After placing their beverage order, Robyn led Mae to where they were waiting. With cheek kisses exchanged, the four friends enjoyed a lovely brunch filled with fare, laughter and bonding of the female kind.

  They exited the elevator on the twelfth floor and found their corner suite. Robyn had the honor of opening the double doors into the elegant expansive space. The art deco furnished space was open and light. The lacquered surfaces, in their rich brownish black, were complimented by the ivory and bone tones of the luxurious fabrics. The echo of the heavy draperies large swirling pattern were in the pillows and area rugs, while the cloth of the sofa and chairs were void of any pattern and understated. Through another set of double doors, Natalie could see a large platform bed, which sat quite high off the floor. A dais at the end of the bed housed their bags and cases.

  After a thorough tour of the room, its huge private balcony and all its amenities, the women sat down. They popped the cork of the expensive champagne that lay chilling in the silver pedestal ice bucket. Mae opened the ivory envelope attached to the champagne bottle.

  “To four beautiful women who’s entrances will be eagerly anticipated at 6:30 pm at the bottom of the grand staircase. Until then.

  Signed, A Few Unworthy Males”

  Mae read with a giant smile spread across her bare, yet attractive, face.

  Robyn passed out the champagne flutes after CeCe had filled each one with overflowing liquid gold.

  “A toast is in order!” Robyn said, as she raised her glass to three women that were flowers from a separate garden, but yet, part of her same bouquet. “To laughter, to being spoiled, to getting all gussied up to make the menfolk want to get our clothes off us as fast as possible, and lastly, to wonderful times ahead today and further.” With the clinking of crystal, Natalie took a generous sip of the fine bubbly. Mae was the first to put down her full flute and said, “Oh, that reminds me,” looking at her watch, “Penny should be here in about forty minutes.”

  “Penny?” Natalie asked.

  “Penny is my friend, the magician beautician, as I call her,” CeCe explained. “I’ve known her about ten years now. I went to her after finding her in the telephone book and we hit it off immediately. She is amazing with what she can do. I bragged to Robyn and Mae about her and they only go to her now, too. I swear she could even make a long dead corpse beautiful. Hence, I call her the magician beautician. Oh, but she does have one flaw. It never fails, if you have earrings in, she’ll pull at least one of the suckers right out of your ear, if not both.”

  Before Natalie knew it, there was a knock at the suite’s door. She could hear CeCe greeting someone. As CeCe entered the room, a beautiful woman with platinum blonde hair altered with brown streaks followed her. The smile that was on the blonde-hair
ed woman’s face was pleasant and comforting. Even her brown made-up eyes were kind. Natalie knew she was meeting another wonderful person, not to mention, her new regular stylist. Since Natalie was the only one who didn’t know Penny, CeCe introduced them.

  “Hi Natalie, it’s nice to meet you. Just as I suspected, a fourth already gorgeous woman who wants me to enhance a paragon of perfection. I should be the one paying you ladies.” Penny winked and her smile and eyes twinkled.

  “I don’t know about that, Penny.”

  “So, who’s going first?” Penny asked, as she placed her hands on her small hips and looked from one face to the next.

  The ladies roamed the suite while they took their turns in the designated chair of beauty. As each woman’s look was completed by Penny, Natalie could see why CeCe dubbed her a magician beautician. She enhanced a person’s natural look with a magical way of applying cosmetics to look as if they were not wearing any. The result was a polished elegant woman in a stunning dress.

  Natalie was the last to sit in Penny’s chair. After asking for permission, Penny gave Natalie’s golden locks a trim, bringing her layers shorter but making the style healthy and easier to style. As Natalie looked at the floor, she could see the growing mound of hair become larger and larger. Concerned there would not be anything left on her head, she was surprised when Robyn walked in with her eyes wide and a loud inhale of breath. She wore her red hair up in an elegant twist, exposing her long neck. Her eggplant color dress, with its long sleeve bodice and floral lace overlay with sequin accent, looked gorgeous.

  “That bad?” Natalie asked, as her heart rate increased.

  “Mae, CeCe, we can’t go down to the Gala, we need to go home. There is no way I’m going to be in the same room as Natalie. She’ll make us all look like we are wearing paper bags over our heads and potato sacks as attire,” Robyn said, waiting for the other two to join her.

  Mae entered wrapped in one of the hotel towels, while CeCe opted to walk around in her strapless bra and barely there panties.

  “Natalie, you are stunning. I cannot imagine what you’ll look like once your dress is on. Dylan is going to pass out,” Mae said, as she held the hanger holding her own peacock blue dress.

  “Not just Dylan, any man with a pulse in the room,” CeCe said, with a wide smile and a wink to Natalie.

  Clearing her throat loudly, Robyn looked toward CeCe.

  “Ok, well with the exception of your two husbands, actually even then I’m going 50/50,” CeCe said, as she puckered her lips and blew a kiss toward Robyn, who answered in kind by pulling on CeCe’s bra clasp effectively snapping it against her flesh.

  “Hey now, none of that, let’s be civilized,” Penny said, giving her attention back to Natalie. Once she finished pulling Natalie’s hair back in a chic ponytail, effectively, sweeping it to the opposite side of her dress. Penny added the final touches to Natalie’s face. When she was told she was finished and given the hand mirror, Natalie thought her eyes were tricking her. The reflection staring back looked like her, but classier, even beautiful and happy. Natalie was happy. Happy to be here, anticipating seeing Dylan. Gosh, it felt like forever since she saw him or touched him. Even thinking of him made her nerve endings tingle. Quickly putting her dress on, it felt and looked even better than the last time. Once her toes were in the silver shoes and her clutch filled with her necessities, Natalie took one last look in the full-length mirror. She could not help but place her hand on her lower belly, wondering if she could notice anything different. Any kind of sign indicating if her dream could be coming true.

  It was ten minutes until their designated meeting time. Natalie’s stomach was housing the rabble of butterflies again. Why was she so nervous? She was excited to see Dylan, hoping he would like what he saw. As they exited the elevator on the second floor, the four women walked toward the staircase. There, waiting at the bottom, were tuxedo clad men; their men. Natalie’s eyes locked onto Dylan’s smoldering dark gaze. The smile that spread across his face, was wide and evident, yet, private and hers. Natalie, paranoid she would fall down the stairs, took her time trailing behind Robyn, Mae and CeCe. Natalie could see Seth, eager to touch Mae, as he climbed seven steps to greet her. Her peacock color dress flattered her curvaceous form. The simple halter style dress with its plunging neckline, showcasing Mae’s natural endowment, and flowing A-line skirt, streamed around her as she descended the stairs. Their embrace was seen by all but treasured by them and them alone. The way Seth engulfed Mae told Natalie that her friend was truly loved and cherished. Robyn met Bryan with a more subdued encounter, yet still, sweet and tender. CeCe reached Dylan first, laid her hand on his arm and whispered something before walking to where her date stood. Natalie watched as CeCe’s back and shoulders were exposed above her gold sequin bodice with a tiered ivory slim fitting skirt. With her mile high gold sparkle platform shoes, Natalie was amazed she could walk at the speed she was.

  Finally, she reached the bottom. Dylan’s eyes roamed over her from head to toe for the hundredth time since he spotted her at the top. She looked striking. The one shoulder design of the dress made her look regal and exquisite. A perfect female face a glow from her natural beauty, as well as the shimmer of powder that covered her skin; her large doe eyes were once again void of her glasses but beautiful all the same. With a simple hint of sparkle at her ears as well as at her wrists, she was a magnificent and gorgeous package. He was a damn lucky bastard.

  “Babe, words fail me.” He leaned in and placed a chaste, yet arousing, kiss on her neck.

  Natalie looked at him and thought James Bond had nothing on Dylan Cross. The way the tuxedo covered his body made her realize, he could make a strait jacket look sexy. Where most of the men, including Seth and Wes, opted for the traditional bow tie, Dylan wore a black satin necktie under his three button jacket. His ruggedly handsome face wore its usual sexy as sin smile along with those eyes that could burn a hole right through you. But the most attractive feature was his lips, not just because they were soft and knowing, or even because they spoke such lovely and sweet words, but rather, because they sought hers.

  “You two ready to go in or are you going to just drop right there on the stairs and do what we all know you are thinking?” CeCe called out, as she and her date walked toward their group.

  Speaking against Natalie’s lips, he whispered, “What I would not give for a role of duct tape right now. Her mouth just never stops.” With another kiss on her pliable lips, Dylan wound his hand around Natalie’s waist, letting his hand rest possessively on her hip.

  “We’ll see who gets the last laugh in life, Ce’s,” Dylan said and followed with Natalie glued to his side, as Wes led the way into the large lavish ballroom.

  This room was large and completely over the top, Natalie thought. The same columns that adorned the lobby, lined the ballroom. Six crystal chandeliers, that Natalie was sure were bigger than her car, cast a lovely glow throughout the room. These were complimented by the flameless pillar candle gardens on each of the thirty tables. The alternating black and gold coverings on the table and chairs gave the impression that only a palace could compare to the Hawthorne.

  As she continued to look around the room, Dylan brought her attention back around to him when he said, “What do you think?”

  “I’m terrified to touch anything for fear of breaking it,” she said, as she laughed a nervous laugh.

  Laughing out loud, Dylan said, “Try building it. I know exactly how you feel. So, what do you say to blowing off the stuffy speeches and pretentious mingling and heading up to that suite. I want to get you out of this beautiful, yet covering that gorgeous erotic sensual little body of yours, dress.”

  Before Natalie could answer, Wes offered them each a champagne flute from the passing tray. Focusing her attention away from Dylan’s suggestive eyes and squeezing hand at her hip, Natalie noticed that Wes tried to offer Mae a
nd Robyn a flute as well.

  “No, thanks, I think I’ll just have some sparkling water,” Mae said, as every eye wandered to her face.

  “You feeling ok, Honey? Did you finish off the bottle upstairs too fast?” Seth asked, since his wife so rarely refused champagne.

  Smiling and unable to contain her excitement any longer, Mae looked around at her friends and finally rested her eyes on the man that she loved more than she ever thought possible. Going up on tiptoes and giving her beloved a kiss on his goatee surrounded lips, Mae said, “Well, I decided to steer clear of alcohol since it is frowned upon by my obstetrician.”

  “You’re pregnant?” Seth whispered, feeling his heart soar higher.

  Trying to hold back tears, Mae nodded her head, confirming his assumption. She received an indecent kiss from her husband, showing his excitement and love for her and the life growing inside of her.

  Natalie looked toward Dylan for his reaction to the news, and found his brown eyes locked on Natalie’s own belly. Reclaiming his attention, Natalie searched his eyes for any clue to what he was thinking. As quickly as his temperament transformed, it changed back, and he congratulated the soon-to-be parents. He kissed Mae on her cheek before wrapping Seth in a manly, yet affectionate, hug. Natalie followed suit, as did everyone else. However, when it was finally Robyn’s turn, rather than offer her congrats to her sister-in-law, she burst into tears.