The well-attended gala was intended for families. There were activities for all ages, including a hill of trucked-in snow to play on. The caterers were the best in Hollywood and a popular DJ provided the entertainment.
Mom, as always, looked chic in designer trousers, a sweater, and black leather boots with stiletto heels that made her taller than Dad.
The evening was immensely enjoyable. Dad could relax now. He was closing the office until after New Year’s. Enjoying family time was all that mattered now.
CHAPTER 38 - ELIZABETH
When Danny picked me up late the next morning, my parents had already left, relieved not to have had an unexpected guest for breakfast.
The weather had turned cloudy and cooler, but Danny greeted me in the carpark with a warm embrace, stroking my cashmere V-necked sweater.
“Eli! I missed you, babe,” Danny said before kissing me.
“It didn’t feel right. A whole day without you.” I sounded like an addict and I didn’t care.
Danny opened the passenger door to the Porsche and helped me in before climbing into the driver’s seat and turning the ignition.
“I brought a picnic basket. We’re going to the beach,” he said.
What a delightful choice! The Newman house in Malibu was so obvious. Less than an hour away, it was like going to another world; our own private idyllic world.
As children, Danny and I had spent a considerable amount of time there. Summer days found us under the watchful eyes of our nannies, building sand castles and frolicking in the surf. Our families sometimes even spent weekends together.
I giggled at the fond memories. Danny gave me a sideways glance, and having reached the straighter Pacific Coast Highway, he took my hand again.
Soon enough, we turned onto Malibu Road. The exteriors of the older beach houses are unimpressive and the Newman’s fit the rule. Architectural conformity made the house difficult to find unless you’d visited before. It was ordinary light blue clapboard with a level of porthole-sized windows rising above the three-car garage.
Danny punched in the security code on the keypad by the door leading into the house from the garage. My heart fluttered in anticipation. It had been so long.
“You are such an incredible romantic,” I said as we entered the house with Danny carrying the wicker picnic basket. “I always hoped I’d find a man who was romantic.”
The brief hallway from the garage led to the Great Room, a combination living/dining room and sizable open kitchen. The pickled hardwood floors were just as I remembered. The furniture I was less certain of.
“Has Ellen redecorated?” I asked.
“New sofas,” Danny answered. “E, you never heard about the infamous party my first year at Bromley when I invited five classmates for Christmas?”
“I must have missed that one.”
“You were definitely not on the guest list. Six preps, a keg of beer and uh, other stuff,” Danny admitted sheepishly. “Not the place for a ‘nice girl’ like Elizabeth Jacobs.”
“Not fair! I miss all the fun.” I pouted.
“You would not have found it fun. Trust me, E. It was not the place for you. When my parents arrived the next morning,” Danny shook his head, embarrassed. “Let’s just say, I’ve never seen them so angry. It was ugly.”
The new sofa was a pale turquoise sectional with matching pillows. The seating areas were quite deep. Snuggling with Danny would be cozy indeed. Getting up would be impossibly difficult.
Through the wall of glass sliders was an enclosed deck leading to the beach. The perimeter enclosure served as a barricade between the Newman’s private paradise and the public. Designed with several seating/dining areas, chaise lounges, and an outdoor kitchen, there was even a hot tub and a gas powered brick fireplace.
“Let’s have our picnic,” Danny suggested.
Then he grabbed a chenille throw from the sofa and we strode through the doors, to the patio and beyond to the empty beach, hand-in-hand with our basket.
Reaching a flat piece of sand, Danny laid out the blanket, and we sat down to enjoy our lunch. Danny had packed simple fare; strawberries, wrap sandwiches, chips and cookies. He had even packed two champagne flutes and a bottle of sparkling cider.
“I would have brought champagne but I couldn’t take a chance,” Danny teased.
“Am I ever going to live that down?” I asked.
“Probably not,” and he kissed me. “You’re an adorable drunk,” Danny added, “Even when you get sick.”
“Thanks. I think.”
Danny laughed and poured the cider and handed me a flute. Then we lifted our glasses, and he toasted me.
“To the girl who always puts a smile on my face.” And of course, I smiled.
Then I kissed Danny’s cheek, and we drank to his toast.
“My turn,” I declared. “Danny, you’ve made me so happy. I love you. Always.”
After eating, I nestled into Danny’s strong arms and we sat silently watching the waves. The warmth radiating between us as Danny held me against his chest was as relaxing as a day at the spa. We were so content.
My thoughts drifted. Was there a connection between tonight’s party and that party from year’s ago? Had Ali been a guest? Could jealousy be the reason for her snub?
“Danny,” I hated interrupting our mood. “Was Ali at that party?” I stammered. I didn’t know if I wanted to learn the truth.
“Yeah, Ali was there,” Danny said contritely.
That sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach formed.
“Did anything happen between you and Ali?”
“I was so wasted. All I remember is my parents arriving in the morning.”
Danny held me tighter and gently stroked my shoulder.
“Must we discuss this? It’s in the past, baby.” Danny sighed uncomfortably.
Even I wasn’t that naïve. “Danny, you slept with Ali!” I gasped, horrified.
This bothered me a great deal though I knew it shouldn’t. It had happened five years ago. I knew Danny had been with other girls. It wasn’t as though I’d thought he’d been a virgin. But Ali Hayes! Ali was vile!
Danny felt my revulsion. I couldn’t look at him.
“Eli,” he spoke softly. “It was years ago. I was only fifteen. I’ve never gone near Ali again. This has nothing to do with us.”
“This probably explains Ali’s animosity toward me.” I frowned.
“You don’t really think that, do you?”
“I don’t know. I’m the only one she didn’t invite.”
Danny was silent. Finally I sighed. It was up to me to rescue our day from this funk. I smiled into Danny’s sparkling sapphire eyes. He lifted my chin and kissed me.
The sun was setting now, creating a glorious display of pink, purple and gray across the horizon. There was a chill in the air.
“Let’s go inside,” Danny whispered.
I nodded and picked up the picnic basket. Danny slung the throw over his shoulder. Then he picked me up by my waist, swinging me in a circle.
“Danny,” I laughed.
“Eli,” he smirked.
Danny carried me all the way to the house before setting me on my feet.
“Now I’ll show you your old room,” Danny said after he laid the throw back on the sofa and I placed the basket on the kitchen counter.
“I’d like that,” I responded breathlessly.
I grabbed Danny’s hand and pulled him up the stairs. My old room was the back one. It had a large window on the side where if you stood just-so you could catch a glimpse of the Pacific. Smaller, portholes looked out on the road. The master was the only upstairs room with an ocean front balcony and full view.
I stopped short in the doorway. Ellen had been at work here too.
“It’s so different,” I said, surprised to find navy-bordered Frette linens on an untouched king-sized bed.
“Mom wanted a change,” Danny answered. The room was so pristine it looked as though no one lived
there.
“Has anyone ever slept here?” I wondered aloud.
“I have. A few times,” Danny replied.
“Alone?”
“Yes, alone. I’m banned from having overnight guests.”
I laughed. “Are you kidding?”
“Actually, no. I need explicit permission before I can bring friends and then a parent or Graci stays over.”
I giggled. How embarrassing.
“What about me? Do they know we’re here?”
“No,” Danny answered sheepishly. “I didn’t tell them.”
Hiding my smirk, I jumped backwards onto the bed. My body enjoyed the luxurious mattress and extra plump down pillows. I reached out my arms to Danny and he gently jumped on top of me. I giggled and we kissed.
“You’re sure you can have guests who are girls?” I asked with a wry smile.
“Probably not. But you, yeah,” Danny answered, “After all, you’re not a real girl. You’re only Eli.”
Danny grinned, and I kissed him. Then he urgently removed my clothes. Danny enjoyed letting me show him that I was indeed a very real girl.
Snuggled in Danny’s arms, my hand tracing patterns on his taut shoulder, I sighed, content from our lovemaking. Danny’s scent, a heady mixture of salt air, perspiration and faded cologne was intoxicating. The strength of his muscles provided a masculine counterpoint to my soft femininity. I looked up at him and couldn’t help but smile.
“Maybe we could skip Ali’s party and stay here,” I thought but I didn’t dare voice. I knew I would lose the argument, so why bother.
“What’s up, baby?” Danny asked softly.
“You. You and how happy you’ve made me.” I pressed my body into him. Danny took a handful of my hair and tickled my cheek with it.
“Stop that!” I playfully protested.
“Not until you tell me what you’re thinking.”
Danny kept tickling me. I squirmed and giggled until I couldn’t take it any more.
“All right, already!” I exclaimed and Danny dropped my hair. “I’m uncomfortable about tonight.”
“Ali’s not going to throw you out or cause a scene. You’re with me.” The most popular guy in Brentwood whom the social scene revolved around, that fact went unspoken.
“It’s not just Ali. I haven’t told Steff and Emma about us.”
“How do your best friends not know who your boyfriend is?”
“I’m shy?”
Danny stopped, and stared at my naked body.
“Shy? I don’t think so, Eli,” he laughed.
“Not with you,” I giggled. “With showing up in Brentwood with you. Everyone always thought I was your pet, following you around.”
“You’re an adorable pet and you can follow me anywhere you want. Elizabeth, you’re being really weird. What is your problem?”
I shrugged, embarrassed. “I am being weird, aren’t I?”
“Yes. But you’re cute, sexy and I love you, so snap out of it.”
“Danny, how do you think our friends will react when we walk in together?”
“The girls will turn green with envy and claw your eyes out. The guys will gawk and say, ‘What a hot babe! Lucky Newman,’” he responded flippantly.
“I’m serious, Danny.”
“I don’t care what anyone thinks. I’m confident that I’m with the most desirable girl on earth. If someone doesn’t like it, that’s their problem, not mine.”
I studied the perfect mouth these words had come from. More importantly, I thought of the loving heart beating against my palm and its genuineness.
This crowd considered me an awkward geek and Danny the coolest guy in town. Arriving at Ali’s with Danny would be my vindication. If Danny could be this confident, so could I.
I threw my arms around his neck and enthusiastically kissed him. Danny crushed me into the pillows and devoured my lips. My body tingled as I felt him harden against me. We were drunk with love.
CHAPTER 39 - ELIZABETH
Fortunately nobody arrives at a nine o’clock party until at least ten. By the time we pulled ourselves out of bed and showered it was already past seven. Then Danny insisted we eat dinner.
It was after nine by the time we arrived at my parent’s house for me to change into a denim miniskirt and Danny’s favorite silk blouse. With the drawstrings open, my Peretti heart rested perfectly on my chest for all to see.
Indeed, we made a very handsome couple as we skipped down the stairs holding hands, smiling and laughing.
“Have a good time kids,” Dad said as he and Mom bade us good-night.
“I can’t wait to see everybody,” I lied.
“I’ll bring Eli back tomorrow,” Danny told them. “We’ll spend the night at the beach.”
Danny quickly ushered me out the door before my parents could react.
“I can’t believe you,” I scolded Danny as soon as we were in the car.
“Elizabeth, you’re an adult.” Danny laughed.
I smacked his arm with my fists and he kept laughing. Danny could hardly speak.
“Oh hell, Liz! Enjoy! Where’s your party face?”
After parking, we followed the path behind the Hayes’ spacious home to the pool house where the party was in full swing. Music pulsated through the open doors.
Danny smiled, and he squeezed my hand. Then he kissed my cheek. I smiled back. It was expected.
“Danny!” Ali exclaimed, ignoring me as we entered. Her face lit with joy.
Ali reached for Danny’s hands and deliberately kissed his lips. If Ali’s goal was to make me uncomfortable, she had more than succeeded. I hoped I hid it well.
For Ali, an ordinary looking girl, despite a nose-job and chin implant courtesy of Beverly Hills’ finest cosmetic surgeon, she looked good tonight, as good as Ali could ever hope for. Her hair and make-up were professionally done, and she was wearing a very short fashionable dress that clung to all the right places on her slender frame.
“Elizabeth?” Ali greeted me with a sneer. “I don’t remember inviting you.”
“You didn’t,” I replied with confidence.
Ali looked down her sculpted nose with disdain.
Meanwhile, Danny’s hand settled possessively on my waist.
“Elizabeth’s with me. Ali, you don’t mind me bringing my girlfriend, do you?” Danny asked in a voice that challenged our hostess.
“Your what?” Ali asked, taken aback by the news.
“My girlfriend,” Danny answered, grinning.
“Right,” Ali answered dismissively, and she left to greet other guests.
Danny whispered in my ear, “Our hostess is not happy.”
“Ali should have invited me.”
Danny nuzzled my neck, and I squirmed. “Today was great,” he whispered.
“Elizabeth!” Shrieks interrupted us. Danny and I snapped apart, and there they were.
“Emma! Steff!” I squealed in response.
My two closest friends embraced and kissed me, our first time since August.
“Steff, your hair!” Her long blonde hair now barely grazed her shoulders, and she wore bangs for the first time. “I love it!”
“I got it cut this afternoon. Bobs are more D.C.,” Steff, a student at The George Washington University, explained. “What about you? Au naturel, I see.”
“I don’t have time in the morning to fuss.” Danny’s closeness made me blush.
“I like it,” said Emma, a student at Duke.
“I do too,” Danny chimed in. “Hey Steff, Emma.”
“Danny Newman? Oh my god! It is you!” Steff exclaimed, and they embraced.
“Did you come together?” Emma asked as she embraced Danny.
“Eli’s my designated driver.”
“Danny’s my bodyguard,” I added.
“I’m guarding her body from Ali.”
Steff and Emma looked at us with questioning eyes.
“Ali didn’t invite me, so I’m Danny’s date.”
&nb
sp; “How convenient,” Emma laughed. “Just like you both ending up at Donnelly.”
“Have you been keeping Danny out of trouble, Elizabeth?” Steff teased.
“Actually, I’ve been too busy getting Eli into trouble, so I haven’t had time to get myself into any,” Danny responded.
“Yeah right,” Steff said, “Elizabeth in trouble. That’s a good one.”
“Why does everyone think I never do anything?”
“Because you don’t,” Steff immediately answered.
“Elizabeth might have changed,” Danny suggested.
“Yeah, right.”
“Has anyone seen the white lace yet?” Emma whispered to me. “You’ve been off the grid for so long, Steff and I thought maybe…”
Why must she ask this in front of Danny? Of course she didn’t know, but was the thought of us together so preposterous it never entered her mind?
Thankfully Steff was distracting Danny. Or was she? Danny turned to Emma and whispered, “I’ve seen it. Good choice.”
I frowned. This was not how I wanted to break our news to my friends.
“I understand you picked out the lovely ensemble, Em.”
I wanted to sink through the ground and disappear but I couldn’t. Danny had wrapped his arms around my shoulders and was grinning.
“Elizabeth is breathtaking in them.”
“What!” Steff gasped.
“Eli’s modeled for me.” Danny said nonchalantly.
I stared at Danny not knowing what he was going to say next. Instead, Danny took my stunned face in his hands.
“Of course they didn’t stay on for long, did they baby?” Danny brought his lips to mine and kissed me, pushing his tongue into my mouth. I was in shock, unable to resist him. My tongue joined with his. Electricity fused us together.
When we parted, Danny’s arms remained around my shoulders. Steff and Emma stood glued in place, gaping.
“How long have you been together?” Emma stammered.
“A couple of months,” I answered with guilty discomfort.
“I can’t believe it. Elizabeth, you never said anything.”
“I thought you wouldn’t approve.”
“Emma and I have always liked Danny. Of course we approve,” Steff said.
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