by Gina LaManna
“Nora, why are you stretching?” I asked. “It’s just singing.”
“It’s not just singing.” Nora sounded offended. “It’s the ancient art of karaoke.”
She pronounced it with a fancy flourish that made Leanne and me crack up.
Meg turned to us and announced with a frown, “This is a five person song, but there’s only four of us ladies left in the bar. We’ll have to make do. No matter, I’ll sing two parts – I’ve done it before.”
“What song?” I started, already dreading the answer.
In response, Meg just smiled. “Listen.”
She cranked on the stereo. I hardly expected it, but to my surprise and relief, my dismay faded almost immediately.
“This is a great song,” I said. “I’m okay with this.”
The four of us lined up – Nora, Meg, me, and Leanne – and looked out at the audience.
The audience now consisted of two people: Anthony and Clay. Laurelei had disappeared to check on the unconscious bouncer, but I had no doubt she’d be back.
“Oh, hold on a second,” I said, stepping off the stage. My gauze was coming unwrapped and flapping in my eyes. “We can’t have this impeding my dancing. Anthony, can you hold my head bandage?”
Anthony took the bandage, the gauze tinged a bit red with blood, as he gave an almost giddy smile to Clay.
“How lucky am I?” Anthony said. “Most guys are asked to hold their girlfriends’ purses. This is so much better.”
I climbed back on stage as Spice Girls rumbled to life on the speakers.
“Is this Wannabe?” Clay asked, his eyes widening in shock. I glanced down at Meg, who was practically drooling as she looked at Clay in surprise.
“If you tell me you know the words to this song, I’m yours forever,” Meg declared. “I’ve never in my life found a man who’s got such an eclectic and excellent taste in music.”
“Only if I can sing Scary Spice’s part,” Clay said, climbing onto the stage.
Anthony’s cheeks turned pink, as if worried I’d drag him up as well, but I shook my head at him.
“Don’t worry,” I mouthed. I could hear his sigh over the music.
Then the lyrics started, and our out of tune, window-shattering, floor-rumbling singing gave Gabe’s bar the best grand finale it’d ever seen.
Chapter 42
Calls of good night filtered across the driveway in front of the Luzzi cabin. Leanne and a fellow cop had joined forces and shuttled Clay, Nora, Meg, Anthony, and me home in the wee hours of the morning. We waved goodbye, promising to meet up with one another as our tired feet stumbled up the path.
“They’re still here?” I groaned, nodding towards the Fiat.
“It doesn’t matter now,” Meg said, glancing out of the corner of her eye at Clay. “We’re leaving in the morning anyway. Maybe we’ll have to share rooms for tonight. Maybe I’ll see if Dan’s available.”
“There’s plenty of space. No need to share rooms.” Clay’s voice came out edgy and firm. “We can use the other guest rooms, the pull out on the porch, and the couches in the living room. Those’ll be more comfortable.”
Meg winked at Clay. “Where are you sleeping?”
Clay mumbled something, but I was too tired to get caught up in their banter. All I wanted tonight was to tumble into bed next to Anthony and have him pull me tight. If I could fall asleep in his arms and sleep for twelve hours straight, I’d be a happy girl.
“Lacey, come here for a second.” Anthony grasped my wrist, sliding his hand around mine until our fingers interlocked.
“I’m tired, Anthony. I’m really looking forward to bed. And sleep.” I added the last part on just so he didn’t get any ideas.
He gave a low laugh that told me he understood. “It won’t take long. And it’s relaxing, I promise.”
“Does it involve food?”
“As a matter of fact, it does.” Anthony raised an eyebrow at me. “But it’s not lost on me that the thought of food will keep you awake, but a romantic, one-on-one stroll along the beach with me is enough to put you to sleep.”
I shrugged. “In all fairness, you knew what you were getting into when you asked me to be your girlfriend.”
“I didn’t even tell you the type of food.” Anthony feigned offense.
“I don’t discriminate.” I couldn’t stop the grin from turning my lips upward. “Plus, I know you have far more exquisite taste than I do, so anything you eat will be fine by me.”
“If by exquisite you mean that I don’t drown my sandwiches in ketchup, then yes, I guess that would be accurate.” Anthony’s grin matched mine.
I started to perk up, a little flutter of excitement in my stomach. We walked a few more steps, passing the boathouse at the edge of the property, a small shack probably built for the beaten-up boat next to the dock – the boat Carlos said we could use. Not the yacht.
When my foot stepped from grass onto the sandy beach, I paused.
I pecked Anthony on the cheek and clasped his hands in mine. “Can you hang on for a second?”
Anthony didn’t respond, as I was already halfway up the hill, jogging back towards the cabin. I raced through the open screen door, finding Nora and Meg chatting in low tones over the kitchen table, Clay digging in the fridge for a non-existent snack.
They looked up at my entrance.
“Thank you,” I said, out of breath. “For a great weekend. Meg, thank you for offering yourself as a sacrifice to work as an assistant and spare me from The Fish. Nora, thank you for the cow. Stuffed cow,” I clarified, at the sight of Meg’s curious expression. “And thank you for everything you said. Clay – thank you for demonstrating your amazing rap skills.”
Nora and Meg looked at one another. At the same time, they swiveled their heads back towards me. “Go.”
“But—” I hesitated.
Nora and Meg both shook their heads.
“You can buy me a real vacation some other time,” Meg said. “Plus, Halloween is coming up, so maybe I’ll just redeem any outstanding favors and force you to dress up with me.” Meg rested her elbow on the table. “Ooh, that’s got me thinking. What sort of costume should I go with?”
Nora’s eyes flashed with excitement. “I love to dress up!”
“Then it’s settled. Costume brainstorming is now in session.” Meg slapped the table, using her fist like a gavel. “We need to get Lacey into something good.”
“I’ll be the note-taker.” Nora retrieved a pen and paper from the drawer, and I took the opportunity to slip away unnoticed.
“Had to take care of some business,” I explained, rejoining Anthony on the shore. We continued at an easy pace down the beach.
“Where are we headed?” I looked up at him. “We have to stay out here for at least an hour. Nora and Meg are researching Halloween costumes, and we don’t want to be anywhere near that business.”
“An hour?” Anthony’s lips twisted in an amused smirk. “I can handle that.”
I gave him a light slap on the shoulder. “I didn’t mean that. I meant—”
“Shh. Neither did I.” Anthony spun me around so I faced him. He kissed my forehead, then glanced over my shoulder. “Are you ready?”
“For what?” I liked the feel of his hands wrapped tightly around my biceps, his chest so close to mine I could sense his heartbeat through our clothing.
“Your chariot awaits,” he murmured.
I didn’t have time to wonder before Anthony covered my eyes with his hand and twirled me in a circle. When he removed the makeshift blindfold, my mouth opened in surprise.
“What is this?” I glanced up at Anthony, then back at the sight before us.
Carlos’s smaller boat, a bit battered and worn, had been turned into a floating island complete with twinkling fairy lights, blankets galore, and...Marco?
Mini-Mario Lopez stood on the dock dressed in a fancy caterer’s attire: black trousers, crisp white shirt, and a floppy bowtie. He dipped low in a bow, and whe
n he straightened up gave us a kind smile. Candlelight flickered off his still shiny face, though his unibrow had separated into two distinct pieces, probably the result of some serious tweezer action.
“After I torment you all weekend for Nora, I now make up for it.” Marco gestured to the boat.
I glanced between Anthony and Marco before taking a tentative step forward.
The boat dazzled against the water. A picnic blanket covered the middle, on it a beautiful spread of prosciutto, cheese, and crackers. But the best part of all was the sheer amount of pillows and blankets stuffed onboard. The boat was lined with so much fluff it looked like a giant, floating beanbag chair. Except bigger, and a lot more stable.
“What is this?” I looked to Anthony for an answer.
He shifted from one foot to the other. “During the mix of everything that happened tonight, I discovered Marco’s reason for being here. I heard all about Nora’s brilliant idea of terrorizing you with romantic prospects until you spilled the beans about us.” Anthony looked down. “I’m guessing that’s something the two of you discussed at the water tower?”
I nodded. “I know you wanted to tell them sooner, and I’m sorry we didn’t. I didn’t mean to keep it a secret, not really.”
Anthony waved his hand in dismissal. “This whole thing is partially my fault. Don’t apologize.”
“But this?” I gestured to the boat.
“I encouraged Marco to set up a private space for us. To give us the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company alone for a change. Some food, some wine, a few candles…” Anthony suddenly looked sheepish. “I don’t know what goes into these romantic dates.”
“What he is trying to say is that he threatened me.” Marco jumped down from the dock, a huge smile on his face. “But I know, deep down in my heart, that is Anthony’s way of asking me for help in wooing his lady.”
I grinned. “Thank you, Marco. This is lovely.”
“Now, you just have to choose. Me or him.” Marco pointed between himself and Anthony. “I can go on the boat with you, if you like.”
My eyes widened in fear. “What?”
Marco broke into a grin. “I kid, I kid. There’s gas in the boat. Enjoy, ragazzi.”
I exhaled in relief.
“Are you ready?” Anthony took my hand and led me onto the boat. Marco untied the rope from the dock, sending us off with a buon voyage and a plethora of airblown kisses.
“This is so romantic.” I leaned over the boat and watched the stillness of the water, the blackness broken only by the soft ripples as the pontoon-esque boat glided through the water. “I feel a little bit like Ariel. Is Sebastian going to start singing Kiss the Girl?”
“I had planned to take you on the yacht, where we’d have more room. A bar, cold drinks, couches.” Anthony didn’t quite meet my eye. “But the cleaning crews haven’t quite figured out how to remove the surprise decorations from the carpet.”
“This is so much better.” I curled my legs under my body and snuggled up against Anthony. We were cocooned in a mass of down comforters and pillows as light as clouds. The chilliness in the air kept us just cool enough to need blankets over our feet and body heat for warmth.
When we got to the middle of the lake, Anthony shut off the motor, letting the boat drift through the waves at its leisure. With the grace of a panther, he wriggled himself into a lying position, bringing me with him. I tucked my head into the crook of his arm, and together we drifted, floating across the lake in silence and watching the stars.
“I care about you a lot, you know,” Anthony said, his voice hoarse.
“I do, too.” I swallowed. “Do you think we’ll be able to figure out how to make this work? Us?”
“I think we don’t have another option.” Anthony tilted my face towards his, watching my reaction. He waited a beat before speaking. “Because I couldn’t be without you.”
This time when our lips met, no strangers burst into the room, no phones vibrated, no karaoke boots stomped down the hallway. Only the sounds of the night kept us company. The quiet lapping of the water against our little boat, the steady beat of two hearts.
As we drifted across the lake, I suggested we begin our picnic.
“Not yet,” Anthony whispered, his voice warm in my ear. “Dessert first. I’m thinking s’mores?”
THE END
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