After Dark (15 page)

E
lizabeth was floating on air. Ron had called from his office to deliver the good news. The terrible ordeal was finally behind them and now they could all move on with their lives.

He said he would be coming over later to celebrate. As she prepared for his arrival she knew she had some things to take care of herself.

She'd been so awful to Barbara and she knew it the moment she'd stormed out on her. But she'd been so upset and hurt that she'd dug in her heels and wouldn't budge. Guess her feisty daughter, Dawne, got her headstrong ways honestly.

She finished seasoning the pot roast and put it in the Crock-Pot to cook. She owed Barbara an apology big-time and there was no time like the present. She checked the flame under the pot and went downstairs to the spa.

When she entered the spa and saw all the usual activity a sense of pride filled her. They had done this. Four friends with a dream and Barbara at the helm, the unwavering force that held them together.

She crossed the cool wood floor and went to the front desk.

“Hey, Carmen. Is Barbara around?”

“She's in the café with Ann Marie's daughter, Raquel.”

“Thanks.” She headed for the café and found Barbara and Raquel chatting in the back on the lounge chairs. With her tail between her legs she approached.

“Hello, ladies.”

They both looked up.

“Hi, Ms. Ellie. I haven't seen you in a while.” She got up and kissed Elizabeth's cheek.

“Good to see you.”

“I came to meet Drew and was talking to Ms. Barbara about some ideas I've been toying with for alterations to the design of the reception area.”

“Whatever they are, I know they'll be fabulous.”

Raquel had been responsible for all of the interior work of the spa from picking out furniture, to its placement, to the artwork that hung on the walls.

Raquel checked her watch. “I better go. Drew's waiting for me up front.”

“Take care, Raquel, and when you're ready with the designs, bring them by.”

“I will.” She waved and hurried off.

Elizabeth turned to Barbara. “Mind if I sit down?”

“Of course not.”

Elizabeth took a seat. She folded her hands in her lap. “I don't know where to begin except to say how sorry I am. I've been a crazy fool these past weeks and I think I might have lost my mind along the way.” She looked at her friend of two decades. “There's no way that you would intentionally hurt me, and I know that. You've always had my best interests at heart. And I can't tell you how sorry I am for dumping my anger and frustration out on you.”

“Ellie, we're friends. I know you were hurting inside.” She sighed. “But something you said, hit home.”

Elizabeth flinched.

“Barbara, the rational one.” She smiled sadly. “That's me. Always thinking things through until I wear a hole in it. Sometimes you have to go with your feelings. I've learned that lesson over and over these past few weeks, from every direction.”

“Barbara, I didn't mean it like—”

“It doesn't matter, it's true and I accept that. It's who I am, who I've been.” She took Elizabeth's hand. “Apology accepted. And to assure you of that, you have to come to the party at my house Friday night. We have so much to celebrate.”

Elizabeth smiled with relief. “Absolutely!”

They talked for a few minutes more with Elizabeth bringing Barbara up to date on Matt's treatment and how the girls had stepped in to take some of the pressure off of her.

“You raised 'em good,” Barbara said. “Matt is a lucky man.”

“Hmm, that he is.”

“Well, go on and finish your day off,” Barbara said. “You'll be back at the grind looking at all of these hunks day after day before you know it.”

Elizabeth giggled. “Girl, it's a hard job…”

“But somebody's got to do it,” they said in unison.

“I have some celebrating of my own to do tonight with Ron. He's coming over after work.” She gave Barbara a wink.

“Then get to it. I'll talk with you later.”

Elizabeth got up. “Thanks,” she said softly.

“For what?”

“For being Barbara.” She turned and walked out.

By the time she got back upstairs to her apartment the space was filled with mouthwatering aroma. She finished up with the side dishes then went to look for something sexy to put on after a nice long, sudsy bath.

By the time she was done with all of her preparations, she heard Ron's key in the door. Just the simple sound of it made her tingle inside. Her man was home.

She barely let him in the door before she was in his arms. She linked her fingers behind his head and gazed up into his eyes.

“Welcome home,” she said, before offering him a soft kiss of greeting.

“A man could get used to this real easy,” he said, holding her close.

“I hope so.” She took his hand and pulled him inside behind her. “Sit down and relax. Tonight is your night. Dinner is ready and will be served momentarily,” she said in a sad British accent. She skipped off to the kitchen to prepare their plates.

When she returned to the living room, Ron had dimmed the lights and turned on the music in her CD player. Kem, her favorite singer was on.

“Hmm, nice,” she murmured.

He got up to help her with the plates.

They sat side by side.

“Smells wonderful,” he said, but didn't make an attempt to eat.

She looked at him quizzically. “Try some. Tell me how it tastes.”

He shifted in his seat a few times. Looked at her, then looked away.

“Ell, I, uh, I've never done this before.”

Her brow wrinkled in confusion. “Done what?”

He bit down on his lip. “I've wanted to, but…”

“Ron, you're making me nervous. What is it?” He huffed, dug in his pants pocket and pulled out a black velvet box.

Her heart began hammering in her chest.

“I know I've asked…in a way. But I want to make it official.” He opened the box and the most beautiful diamond set on a gold band gleamed at her. “Ellie, I love you with all my being. And I promise if you give me the chance I'll make you happy every day for the rest of our lives. Be my wife, Ell, my partner, my friend. Marry me. Please?”

“I'll have to cook pot roast more often,” she blabbered, the tears rolling down her cheeks. “Yes, yes, yes, I'll marry you. I said it before but I'll say it again, Ronald Powers, I would love to be your wife.”

B
rian wasn't sure what kind of reception he was going to get when he walked into
Delectables,
but, knowing Dawne's temper, he figured a public place was best.

He opened the doors and the chimes jingled. Desiree was behind the counter. Cautiously, he approached.

“We were just about to close for the night. I can get you something to take out,” she said.

“Actually, I was hoping to find your sister.”

“She left early. She took my father for his treatment today and then she said she was going home.”

His hopeful expression sunk. “Oh. Thanks.” He turned to leave.

Desiree came from around the counter. “Brian, wait.”

He stopped and turned to face her.

“Look, I generally don't get in Dawne's business. But, this time, I think I should.” She folded her arms. “She told me what's been going on—everything.”

“I see.”

“Look, Dawne can be hotheaded sometimes and run off at the mouth. And there's no telling what she might do if she gets really pissed off. But she really likes you. All of this mess just threw her for a loop for a minute.”

“I like her, too.”

“I think she would be very happy to see you if you happened to stop by her apartment.”

“You sure?” he asked, sounding like a kid.

“Very. If I know anybody, I know my sister.”

“Thanks.” He grinned, and Desiree saw how cute he actually was in a straitlaced kind of way.

He turned to leave.

“Oh, don't tell her I sent you. I truly do not want to hear that girl's mouth.”

Brian chuckled. “Your secret is safe with me.”

All day long, he'd wanted to call her and tell her everything that had happened, but he needed to see her face to face and look in her eyes.

He pulled up in front of her building. It took him a few minutes to get his act together before he rang her bell.

“Who is it?” she asked through the intercom.

“It's Brian. Can I come up?”

“It's about time,” she said. “I thought you'd never get here.”

She pressed the buzzer, and Brian grinned all the way to the elevator and up to her front door.

When she opened the door and kissed him full on the lips, he knew that, whichever way things went with Dawne, it was going to be a wild ride.

Friday Night

E
ach guest that arrived at Barbara's seemed to bring a new level of excitement. They were almost giddy with their laughter, talking all at once, hugging each other.

Everyone was gathered around the table filling their plates, when, suddenly, Ann Marie squealed and pointed at Stephanie.

“Is that what I think it is?” she asked.

Stephanie beamed. “Yep. A big old fat diamond ring. I'm going to get me a husband to go with this baby and my new house.”

Everyone gathered around to “ooh” and “aah” over Stephanie's ring.

“Well, you need to go down the aisle first,” said Ann Marie, “with that baby coming. And me gon come right behind you!” She stuck out her hand and flashed her newly acquired ring.

Another round of screams and yells and jumping up and down.

“Gosh, can't I do anything first around here,” proclaimed Elizabeth.

They all turned to her and were greeted by a smile bright enough to light up Times Square. Demurely, she showed off her engagement ring. “Got it two days ago. Don't know how I was able not to tell the world.”

“Oh, congratulations! I'm so happy for you,” Stephanie said. “You and Ron are made for each other.”

“Thank you, thank you. I'm deliriously happy.”

Stephanie put her hand on her hip and scanned the group. “Okay, anybody else?”

Terri's brows shot up. “Hey, I got mine for New Year's, but I'll be happy to show it off again.” She did a slow pirouette with her hand stretched out in front of her.

They all cracked up laughing.

Barbara stood slightly to the side relishing in the joy of her friends. “Ladies,” she said. They gradually grew quiet. “There's something I need to tell you.”

Everyone was focused on Barbara.

“This is the hardest decision I've had to make in a very long time. But I'm leaving with Wil to move to North Carolina.”

Everyone's mouths dropped open but nothing came out.

“He built a house and he wants me there with him. I said yes to the new house and to his offer to marry him.” A slow smile crept across her mouth as she pulled her hand out of her sweater pocket.

A collective gasp filled the room. Exquisite couldn't describe the brilliance of the diamond on Barbara's finger.

But the joy of everyone's announcement was tempered by the realization that Barbara was leaving them.

“We're happy for you and for Wil,” Ann Marie said.

“But what are we going to do without you?” Stephanie asked, her voice thick.

Elizabeth couldn't speak.

Barbara looked into the eyes of each of her girlfriends. “It's because of each of you that I can leave,” she began. “Through all the trials and drama that have gone on in our lives, you all always say it was me who saw us through it. But you all helped
me.
You helped me to be strong, to stand on my own two feet, to get back out into the world and find love again. I wanted to believe that I was so needed here that I could never go. What would everyone do without me?” She laughed. “Everyone will have a life, the lives we've all been working so hard to claim, that's what. I've finally found mine, because of my friends.”

Tears of sadness, joy and acceptance drifted down their cheeks as they hugged and kissed and hugged some more.

Finally, Barbara stepped out of the circle. “I think we all deserve a toast.” She went to the serving table and started handing out wine-glasses, then filled each with sparkling cider.

They all raised their glasses and wiped at their eyes.

“To friendship, everlasting,” Barbara said.

“Friendship,” they chorused, and touched glasses.

“We have so many plans to make,” Elizabeth sniffed. “Weddings, baby showers.”

“House warmings,” added Ann Marie.

“Going-away parties,” said Stephanie turning to look at Barbara.

She grinned. “Hey, who says we can't franchise and open a
Pause for Men
in North Carolina?”

Their eyes widened with excitement and they all began talking at once.

Barbara looked at her friends and her heart was full. She might be moving away, but they would always be together in spirit and, from the sound of things, more adventures were surely on the way.