throughout. The wall of windows on the far side of the space was so extensive that they covered virtually from floor to ceiling. The lighting was original leaded-crystal chandeliers, giving the impression of a reception hall more than a home. The entire abode was exquisite, and I felt horribly under-dressed to be in such a palatial apartment. When I looked at the people surrounding me, it didn’t help that feeling at all.
I was irritated that Eric hadn’t accurately described the event, downplaying the formality of the “housewarming party”. Perhaps if he’d used the word “soiree” when he informed me of our plans for that night, I’d have been far better apprised and able to make the appropriate wardrobe selection. Not that I owned anything fancy enough to be appropriate, however.
All eyes were on us, and I felt like shrinking into the glossy parquet flooring. The only thing that could have made it more of a B-movie moment would have been the music coming to a screeching halt. I clenched my jaw and waited for that shoe to drop.
I looked at Eric, panicked by my fashion faux pas, and it was only then that I really noticed his attire. He wore a black custom-tailored suit with a crisp, white button-down shirt, sans tie. He looked like he had stepped off of an Armani runway. Maybe he had. He was surely mortified at my out-for-drinks attire, and more so to be seen with me.
He watched as I panned over his outfit, a grin plastered to his face. He then returned the favor, his eyes sliding up and down every part of me. I watched in horror as he assessed my garb.
“Are those Louboutin’s from fall or winter last year?” he asked.
“Fff…fall,” I stammered.
“They’re amazing. You look amazing in them. By far the best pair in the room,” he said, matter-of-factly. “Even better than mine.”
“How did you know that?” I asked, revisiting the gay issue in my mind.
“I know all things expensive and exquisite, Ruby. It’s important to me,” he replied, eyeing me strangely.
Duly noted.
I hadn’t noticed that the party had resumed while we were doing our reciprocating wardrobe checks, nor did I notice that we had been approached by a very handsome but intimidating looking man.
“Am I to assume this is your mysterious lady, Eric?” the gentleman asked.
“Yes…so sorry, Marcus. This is Ruby.”
“Indeed she is. Highly valuable and precious would describe someone of this beauty. Such a well-suited name,” Marcus said, honey rolling off of his tongue.
I extended my hand to shake his. Instead he took mine and gently brought it to his lips brushing it ever so slightly with them. He spoke with an accent that I couldn’t quite place: European, but muddled somehow, making it hard to pinpoint.
“Thank you for attending our little get-together,” said the distinguished looking blond.
“Thank you for having me.”
“You’ll have to excuse everyone here. Their manners are an atrocity. I’ve been trying to improve them, but you’d think they’d been raised by a pack of wolves.”
He and Eric laughed heartily at the comment and I joined in not wanting to be left out, as usual. When the laughter broke, Marcus gingerly took my arm and wove it under his.
“Eric, I think a few drinks are in order. Ruby, what will you have?”
“Um…whatever you’re having,” I said to Eric.
“Excellent then. Three champagnes please, Eric,” Marcus said, dismissing him with a wave of his hand. “While he does that, we’ll have a chance to get acquainted.”
I looked at Eric quickly, searching his face. He’d told me to stay near him.
“It’s OK, Ruby, I’ll be right back. Enjoy yourself,” he said, kissing me lightly on the forehead before walking away. As I watched his head disappear into the crowd of strangers, Marcus redirected us towards the windows and slowly paced us off.
“Eric has told me how you two met, so now I’d like to hear something specifically about you, dear. Tell me, where is
I was irritated that Eric hadn’t accurately described the event, downplaying the formality of the “housewarming party”. Perhaps if he’d used the word “soiree” when he informed me of our plans for that night, I’d have been far better apprised and able to make the appropriate wardrobe selection. Not that I owned anything fancy enough to be appropriate, however.
All eyes were on us, and I felt like shrinking into the glossy parquet flooring. The only thing that could have made it more of a B-movie moment would have been the music coming to a screeching halt. I clenched my jaw and waited for that shoe to drop.
I looked at Eric, panicked by my fashion faux pas, and it was only then that I really noticed his attire. He wore a black custom-tailored suit with a crisp, white button-down shirt, sans tie. He looked like he had stepped off of an Armani runway. Maybe he had. He was surely mortified at my out-for-drinks attire, and more so to be seen with me.
He watched as I panned over his outfit, a grin plastered to his face. He then returned the favor, his eyes sliding up and down every part of me. I watched in horror as he assessed my garb.
“Are those Louboutin’s from fall or winter last year?” he asked.
“Fff…fall,” I stammered.
“They’re amazing. You look amazing in them. By far the best pair in the room,” he said, matter-of-factly. “Even better than mine.”
“How did you know that?” I asked, revisiting the gay issue in my mind.
“I know all things expensive and exquisite, Ruby. It’s important to me,” he replied, eyeing me strangely.
Duly noted.
I hadn’t noticed that the party had resumed while we were doing our reciprocating wardrobe checks, nor did I notice that we had been approached by a very handsome but intimidating looking man.
“Am I to assume this is your mysterious lady, Eric?” the gentleman asked.
“Yes…so sorry, Marcus. This is Ruby.”
“Indeed she is. Highly valuable and precious would describe someone of this beauty. Such a well-suited name,” Marcus said, honey rolling off of his tongue.
I extended my hand to shake his. Instead he took mine and gently brought it to his lips brushing it ever so slightly with them. He spoke with an accent that I couldn’t quite place: European, but muddled somehow, making it hard to pinpoint.
“Thank you for attending our little get-together,” said the distinguished looking blond.
“Thank you for having me.”
“You’ll have to excuse everyone here. Their manners are an atrocity. I’ve been trying to improve them, but you’d think they’d been raised by a pack of wolves.”
He and Eric laughed heartily at the comment and I joined in not wanting to be left out, as usual. When the laughter broke, Marcus gingerly took my arm and wove it under his.
“Eric, I think a few drinks are in order. Ruby, what will you have?”
“Um…whatever you’re having,” I said to Eric.
“Excellent then. Three champagnes please, Eric,” Marcus said, dismissing him with a wave of his hand. “While he does that, we’ll have a chance to get acquainted.”
I looked at Eric quickly, searching his face. He’d told me to stay near him.
“It’s OK, Ruby, I’ll be right back. Enjoy yourself,” he said, kissing me lightly on the forehead before walking away. As I watched his head disappear into the crowd of strangers, Marcus redirected us towards the windows and slowly paced us off.
“Eric has told me how you two met, so now I’d like to hear something specifically about you, dear. Tell me, where is
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