Head Over Heels (14 page)

“She did it on purpose.” Cyn took a step as well, but in the direction of Drew and Staci, who was cowering behind Drew.

“I didn’t,” Staci squealed.

“Liar! You’re a hateful person and you’re going to burn in hell. Both of you.”

“Yes, they will.” Miller came from behind her and grabbed her hand, pulling it to her side. “But not today, and not by your hands.”

“They’re evil.” Tears ran unchecked down her cheeks.

“Yes, and apparently very stupid because they’re still here.” He tightened his hold on her wrist and pulled her back against him. “If I were the two of you I’d get out.”

“But what about…” Staci began to ask.

“I’m going to count to three then I’m going to let her loose.”

“But…” Drew tried to argue.

”Three.” Miller made as if he was about to release her, which caused the girls to dash from the kitchen, screaming as if it their very lives depended on it.

Cyn let the knife drop to the floor and sank to her knees in front of the ruined dress.

The red wine was never going to come out.

“Maybe we can soak it in vinegar.”

They could soak it until the cows came home and it still wouldn’t change a damn thing. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Don’t say that.”

“If this were truly an accident they would have soaked it the minute it happened.

This is dried on. I wouldn’t put it past them to have used my blow dryer to help it along.”

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“What are you going to do?”

There was only one thing she could do. “I’m going to call Parker and tell him I can’t make it.”

“The hell you are.”

“You have a better suggestion?” Because Lord knew she didn’t.

“I hate to say this, but…” he sighed as if his words pained him, “…we have to call MeShell.”

“Why?”

“Because he can help.”

“I don’t think his magical fairy powers can help now.” She hiccupped and wiped at her nose. “But if you just feel the need to see your man, don’t let me stand in your way.”

“Okay, first of all, shut up.” He brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“Secondly, you’re in need of a ball gown. Who else is going to have a fabulous dress just lying around?”

He had a point. “Do you think she’ll have something we can use?”

“More than sure.” Standing, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone.

“I’ll call him.”

Even as depressed as she was, she couldn’t let this opportunity pass her by. Clearing her throat, she fought hard to keep her smile at bay. “You have his number memorized.”

“No.” He glanced away, embarrassment staining his cheeks. “It’s programmed in there.”

“Uh huh.”

“He did it. To annoy me.”

“Right. And I guess you just never took the time to delete it.”

Miller’s brow rose. “Do you want my help or what?”

“I do.” She stood, resolve in place. If she had to go to the ball in a dress made by mice she was going. “You make your phone call. And I’ll make mine.”

“Who are you calling?”

“My father.”

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By the time she finished her phone call with her father she was feeling marginally better. Nothing could ever replace her mother’s dress, but something was being done to repair the wrong that was committed. Her father’s voice broke when she told him what happened and by the time she explained everything he’d grown eerily quiet. He calmly told her to have a great time and not to worry, he was going to clean house. Somehow she seriously doubted he was talking about vacuuming and dusting.

“We better go if you’re going to make your flight.”

“What about—?”

Miller took her suitcase in one hand, grabbed her with the other and pulled her towards the front door. “MeShell is going to meet us in the parking lot.”

When they pulled into the parking lot of the private airstrip, MeShell’s car was already there. Miller parked next to the other man’s vehicle and turned off the engine. By the time they stepped out of the car, MeShell was waiting for them next to his trunk. But not the MeShell Cyn was used to seeing.

Instead of the normally glamorous cross-dresser she was familiar with, MeShell was sans makeup and wig and dressed in a black suit. Despite how rude she knew it was, Cyn couldn’t help but stare. He was an ugly woman all right, but he was a very handsome man. “Wow.”

She wasn’t the only person who was flabbergasted. Miller’s mouth was practically hitting the floor, much to MeShell’s obvious delight. “What?” he asked, unable to keep his grin at bay.

“You’re not wearing…” She paused, unsure of how to continue without hurting his feelings. “You’re wearing a suit.”

“I do have a day job, you know.”

It was sad to say, but despite knowing MeShell for over three years she had no idea what he did when he wasn’t in drag. Of course he had a job. She just didn’t have the foggiest idea what it was. “Doing what?”

“Shelton Hughes at your service, commodity trader extraordinaire.”

“Shel…Shelton,” Miller stuttered. “You have to be fucking kidding me.”

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MeShell grimaced and glanced at Cyn. “Painful isn’t it?”

She didn’t want to be mean but she wasn’t going to lie. “Just a bit.”

“I think it’s hilarious.” Miller snickered. “Shelton the day trader. What a riot.”

“You know what’s really funny. I’m not only prettier than you. I make more money.”

That wiped the smile right off of Miller’s face. “You can take the bitch out of the ball gown but you can’t take—”

“Miller,” Cyn snapped. “MeShell is here to do me a favor or did you forget.”

“You can call me Shelton. MeShell just doesn’t work without the wig.”

“Okay.” That was going to take some getting used to. “Sorry about him. He’s in a mood.”

“Please, doll, I’m not even thinking of little blue boy over there. I came here to help you.”

“And I really appreciate it.”

“That’s what friends are for. I picked out three of my fiercest numbers.”

“You’re too good to me.”

“Yes, too good,” Miller spoke up. His I-could-care-less persona was in place and at full blast. Cyn wanted to hit him. It was more than obvious there was something between him and MeShell…Shelton but Miller was too stubborn to admit it. “So are you going let us see them?”

“When we’re in the air.”

Miller glanced from Shelton to her. “The air?”

“Yes, we’re going with her.”

“You are?” Now she was confused.

“Yes. I have to make sure it fits.” Shelton turned and unlocked his luggage-filled trunk. “I packed a few accessories and my sewing kit. I’m going to have to take one of the dresses in, but I can do that as you get ready.”

“Don’t you think you should have asked?” Miller inquired.

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“No.” Shelton turned to Miller and cocked a brow. “Because it wasn’t an option. If she wants to look good we’re going to have to go.”

“Why we?” Miller crossed his arms over his chest in an obvious sign of stubbornness.

“Because you’re going too.”

“Says who?” His eyebrows skyrocketed to the tip of his hairline.

“Me.” Shelton could be just as stubborn it seemed.

Cyn felt as if she was watching a tennis match and she knew without a doubt who she was rooting for. “Shelton’s right.”

“Thank you.”

“He is?” Miller turned and stared at her in abject disbelief.

“Yes. He’ll have to fix anything he loans me and we don’t have the time to do it here. Looks as if we’re going to a ball.”

“I didn’t have time to pack anything.” Miller was grasping at straws now and they all knew it.

“Don’t worry I packed some things for you to wear too. I think you’ll look fabulous in gold lamé.”

“Oh, God.” Miller paled.

Cyn could barely hold back her laughter. It looked as if she wasn’t the only one who was going to be playing dress up tonight.

For what seemed like the hundredth time tonight, Parker glanced at the antique clock over the large fireplace at one end of the ballroom. He had no idea what was keeping Cyn, but he was becoming antsy. His driver had picked them up over an hour ago from her friend’s hotel room. There was no reason she shouldn’t have been here by now.

Damn it.
He knew he should have picked her up. He wanted to see her. No, he needed to see her. It had been a week since they were last together and he felt as if he was going through withdrawal. And now that stupid deadline was looming ahead and he was no surer of what her response would be now than he had been a week ago.

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Lena Matthews

Maybe he was a fool for trying to convince her to move in with him so soon. Maybe he should have told her he was thinking long term and not just a roommate with benefits.

In fact, he’d already spoken to Cyn’s father about his intentions. Perhaps he should have just spoken with her instead.

“Tell me something, Prince Brooding,” Solomon said as he walked up to Parker.

“This mysterious woman of yours doesn’t really exist, does she? Come on, you can tell me. You made her up, right?”

Parker glanced over at his grinning friend and frowned. “Not now, Solomon, I’m not in the mood.”

As usual, his words had no effect on Solomon. “Moodiness. Isn’t that a symptom of mental illness?”

“Do. Not. Push. Me.” Parker enunciated each word clearly and succinctly.

“Or what?” questioned his self-appointed pain in the ass.

“Or I’ll signal my mother to come over here. Then whisper in her ear nine simple words.”

“Which are?”

Parked grinned devilishly. “Solomon is looking a tad lonely, don’t you think?”

“That’s just mean.” Solomon held up his hands in mock surrender. “I thought we were boys.”

“Oh, look,” Parker glanced over Solomon’s shoulder into the far distance, raised his hand over his head and waved wildly. “There she is.”

“Shit.” Solomon didn’t even bother to look over his shoulder to see if Parker was lying or not before he hurried away from him.

Laughing to himself, Parker lowered his hand and resumed his uncontested dual with time. It was five minutes to nine, and Cyn was nowhere in sight. With a disgruntled grumble he turned his back to the clock and shoved his hand into the pocket of the stiff burgundy slacks. The pants were extremely uncomfortable as was the rest of his cheesy outfit. Whoever thought burgundy slacks with a yellow stripe and a powder blue jacket 108

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with gold fringe was a good idea should be shot. He seriously expected some old scary chick to pop out of the corner at any time and shout bippity boppity boo at him.

His fingers brushing against the cool metal of his phone reminded him even more of their lack of communication. He debated with himself for several long seconds on whether or not he would give into his stalker-like urges and call her again, when he noticed his signal bars, or lack thereof.

“Fuck,” he muttered to himself. He didn’t even have a smidgen of a signal. What if Cyn had been trying to call him? Cursing under his breath, he headed for the stairs leading to the upper floor and the doors to the outside.

As he bounded up the wide staircase near the railing he noticed Cyn rushing down on the far side. With the throng of people between them he wasn’t able to capture her attention, but as he pushed his way toward her he noticed one of her slim, jeweled heels had slipped off in her haste. Surprisingly she didn’t stop to pick it up and instead just continued on her way through the crowd.

Parker turned and headed toward the area he’d seen Cyn lose her shoe, stooping to pick it up before trudging into the crowd after her. The dance floor had filled during his moment of morose woolgathering and it took him a few seconds to find the hobbling beauty. When he neared her, he grabbed her arm, startling her to the point she lost her balance. Her eyes widened and a smile wreathed her face when she realized who had a hold of her.

“Oh, Parker, Thank God. I thought I missed the deadline.” She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

His heart swelled, knowing she was rushing to see him to the point she would leave her shoe behind.

“That’s okay, baby. For you, I would have extended it.”

She pulled back and smacked him lightly on the shoulder. “Don’t tell me that now. I gave up a very precious shoe to get here on time.”

“I know, I found it.” He pulled the jeweled slipper from his pocket and presented it to her.

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Cyn gasped, her hand covering her mouth. “Oh my God, you really are my Prince Charming.”

“No, just the man in love with you.” Parker went to his knees in front of her. Cyn used his shoulder as a way to steady herself as she raised her dainty foot so he could help her with her shoe.

Once the slipper was on, Parker stood. He took her hand in his and stepped back to look her over. She was wearing a beautiful pale blue dress, with short cap sleeves, a full hoop skirt and a plunging neckline. Unfortunately, thanks to the swaying couples he didn’t get to stare long. People began to run into them, forcing him to pull her into his arms to join the dancing. As they began to dance around the room, he noted, “This isn’t the same dress.”

“No.” She smiled a sad smile and shrugged her shoulder. “It’s a long story. A story for another time.”

He was curious about what had happened but he didn’t want her thinking sad thoughts. Especially not tonight. “Another time it is. You look lovely. Beyond lovely.

Where did you find such a beautiful gown on such short notice?”

“My fairy godfather hooked me up.” There was a twinkle in her eyes as she spoke.

Did he hear her right? “Fairy
godfather?”

“Yes, my friend Shelton had an extra dress. He even took it in for me on the plane.”

“Remind me to thank him.”

“You’ll get the chance to do it later. I hope you don’t mind but I had to bring them along as well.”