Home Ice (11 page)

“Thank you, Gram.”

“Thank
you
, for making sure Allison got home safe.”

“No problem.”

“So, if I remember correctly, Allison said you were a hockey player?”

“Yeah. I play for the Red Valley Razors.”

“We don’t follow sports as much as we used to before my beloved Henry passed on.”

“I’m sorry. Was he your husband?” Ben asked taking a sip of tea.

She nodded. “We were married for forty-one short, but wonderful years before he was taken from me.” Gram looked wistful as she examined the puzzle piece in her hand. She looked back at Ben and asked, “Benjamin, can I give you some advice?”

“Sure, Gram.” He was interested in what kind of wisdom she had to share with him.

“When you find a woman you love and can’t imagine being without, you latch on tight and never let go. Do you know why?”

“Why?”

“Because life is too short to let that kind of love go. Do you understand?”

“Yes. I think I do.”

“Now, Benjamin,” she smiled again. “Tell me about yourself.”

* * *

Ally woke up the next morning and everything was fuzzy. Not fuzzy bunny fuzzy, but cotton mouth, kick in the head fuzzy. She rubbed her eyes and tried to remember how and why they had been glued shut during the middle of the night. Someone must have switched her Visine with Crazy Glue.

She tried to lift her heavy head, but was afraid her neck might not be able to support the weight of it, which now was roughly the weight of a semi-truck, so she lay there a groggy mess as bits and pieces of the night before began splintering into her memory.

Club 21.

Oh yes. Now I remember.

Dancing.

Ben
.

Oh, no!  She had made a complete and utter fool of herself. Ally hauled herself out of bed and groaned as the blood came rushing to her head. An unfamiliar ache throbbed between her ears. This must be how it felt to be Izzy every morning. The unglamorous part of being young and glamorous. The part that didn’t end up on the party pages of
Elle
magazine. Everything came with a price. Even cocktail hour.

She tried to remember how many drinks she had the night before. Three? Four? They had kept magically appearing in her hands like a magician’s coins. The first one or two were just to take the edge off. Well, the edge was back and now it was slicing through her head.

She slipped her robe over her wrinkled party dress and shuffled into the kitchen. Heading straight for the coffee pot like a bee to honey, she muttered good morning to Gram who already sitting at the kitchen table, her gnarled hands wrapped around a delicate tea cup. Gram didn’t try to hide her knowing smile.

“Good morning, Allison.”

“Gram, remind me in the future not to go out and try to have fun after a long week. Just send me straight to bed, okay?” She poured herself a cup of steaming coffee, thankful for the morning pick-me-up.

“Ben was nice enough to see to that for me,” Gram said.

Oh god. She knew.

“Really?” All Ally remembered was getting into his car in the club parking lot. The rest was a blur.

“He is a nice boy.” Gram said it so sweetly that Ally knew something was up.

“Really?” Ally asked again, too groggy for more than one word sentences.

“We had tea together.”

Ally’s eyebrows shot up and she groaned again and rubbed her aching forehead. Before delving into the story further, she took a sip from her mug.

Aahh, sweet caffeine.

“You had tea together?” Ally conjured a mental picture of Ben’s long legs folded beneath her tiny kitchen table. She couldn’t help but smirk at the thought of his big hands holding one of Gram’s fragile little tea cups. She didn’t know much about his personal life, but she couldn’t imagine that he had a Victorian rose-painted tea set at home.

Wow. He had been right here in her kitchen just a few hours earlier. That meant he must have been the one who put her to bed. She didn’t remember doing it herself and Gram certainly didn’t have the strength to.

He was in my room.

“He’s a very well-mannered young man,” Gram said with satisfaction.

“Are you giving me your approval, Gram?” Ally took a seat at the table.

“Well, yes, I suppose I am.”

“Gram, I just met him a few days ago.” Ally fingered the coffee mug handle. “But I have to admit, I really like him. You know how sometimes you just get a feeling about someone right away when you meet them?”

Gram nodded.

“I just really like him,” Ally repeated.

“Allison,” Gram reached over and patted Ally’s hand, “Any young man, who takes time out of his day to have tea with an old woman like me is mighty fine in my book.”

The two women smiled at each other and went to work on the puzzle in front of them.

* * *

Later that morning, when her head began to clear, Ally dialed Izzy’s number as she tidied up the house. It was laundry day and the dishes weren’t going to wash themselves. Izzy answered her phone on the second ring.

“Do you have a vice clamped around your head, too?” Ally asked.

“No. Why?” Izzy was used to her ‘party all the time’ lifestyle. Hangovers were for wusses.

Ally filled the sink up with warm soapy water and began doing the dishes. “They hung out last night.”

“Who?” Izzy asked.

“Ben and Gram.” Ally washed the coffee mugs and wondered which one he had drank out of last night. The one with the pink roses or white daisies?

“
Really
?”

“Gram hasn’t been this excited about something since she got new knitting needles for Christmas.”

“Wow,” Izzy replied in awe, “He charms women of all ages.”

“Gram gave him her stamp of approval.”

“Jeez, you haven’t even had your first date together yet and he’s already a keeper. How did you do it, Al? And, on your first time out?”

“I didn’t do anything but have too many drinks and act like a complete fool.”

“I think that’s actually rule number two in the “How To Reel In A Man” manual.”

“I won’t be surprised if he cancels our date altogether,” Ally said somberly, rinsing dish soap off of a chipped dinner plate.

“Uh-uh,” Izzy disagreed. “Not after your
Dirty Dancing
demonstration last night. That guy isn’t going anywhere.”

“What are you talking about?” Ally tried to remember dancing at the club.
Dirty Dancing
? What was Izzy talking ab---? Then it rushed back to her. She had danced for him. And
with
him. She had touched his chest and his hair… OMG. What had she been thinking? She was
not
that kind of girl. That was the last message she had wanted to send to Ben.

“Girl, you were all over him like geometric print on a Pucci dress.”

Ally groaned then heard her phone beep. “I gotta go. That’s my call waiting.”

“All right, Miss Popular. I’ll be over around five to help you get ready for your date.”

Izzy insisted on coming over to help Ally get ready, because according to her, Ally was “incapable of styling herself out of a paper bag.”

“If there still
is
a date,” Ally sighed. “That’s probably him calling to cancel.”

“There will be a date. Trust me.”

“Okay, bye.” Ally clicked over to the incoming call. “Hello?” Ally dried her hands on a dish towel and went down the hall to start on the laundry.

“Hi.” Ben’s voice warmed her eardrum. How could two little letters send shivers of electricity down her spine? H.
Zap
. I.
Sizzle
.

“Hi,” she answered. A smile lit up her face. One she knew he couldn’t see, but she couldn’t help herself at the sound of his voice.

“I just wanted to make sure we’re still on for tonight.”

And to hear the sound of your voice.

“Uh, yes,” she stumbled over the words. “Of course.” 

Good. No mention of last night’s fiasco.

“Great. Is seven o’clock okay?”

“Yes.” She cleared her throat. “Seven is good.”

“Okay. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“Okay. I’ll see you then.”

“Bye.”

“Bye.” Ally held the phone to her ear long after he had hung up.

I’ll pick you up at seven.

This was really happening.

Chapter Nine

Trust Me

At 5:30, Izzy showed up on Gram’s doorstep loaded down with bags and cosmetic trunks, wearing a tight cotton cardigan, Daisy Duke shorts and platform shoes.

“Wow. I see you brought reinforcements,” Ally commented as Izzy plunked everything down on her bed. The mattress bowed from the weight.

“Do we really need all this stuff?” Ally asked, making a face.

Izzy huffed like she was being asked to go without eyeliner. “Celebrities pay big money for what I’m doing for you, Al.” Izzy started rummaging through Ally’s closet. “First things first. We have to find you something to wear. Something that says first date with the most gorgeous man of the Northern Hemisphere.” Izzy frowned at several pieces of Ally’s wardrobe. “You’re not giving me much to work with here.” She blew her bangs out of her face.

“Yeah, my wardrobe tends to say something more like “I don’t leave the couch. Ever.” It doesn’t really matter, Iz. It’s just dinner and it’s going to be dark anyways. I don’t understand the big deal.”

That was a lie. It
was
a big deal, but Ally was trying not to freak herself out. Denial was the perfect coping mechanism.

Izzy turned around and put her hands on her petite hips and tilted her head to the side. “It amazes me that you’ve made it this far, my friend,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “Have I taught you
nothing
over the years?”

“Iz, the first time Ben and I went out together I was wearing scrubs.”

“My point exactly.” Izzy turned her focus back to the closet. “And I wouldn’t necessarily call this a
wardrobe
. Ally, where do you keep your
girl
clothes? You know, the stuff that doesn‘t make you look like you’re trying to pass as a teenage boy.”

“Hmmm. Back behind my eighth grade graduation dress?”

Izzy rolled her eyes and started digging in the back of the closet. There had to be something decent in Ally’s closet.

They finally decided on black slacks and a slinky, maroon colored, cowl-neck blouse that subtlety showed Ally’s cleavage. After putting it all on, Ally had to admit she felt sexy in it, especially compared to the uniform of tee shirts she wore on a daily basis. The pants were snug, but not in a painted-on way. But in an “I’ve got curves and I’m not afraid to show them off” kind of way. Very first date appropriate.

Izzy grabbed at something hanging near Ally’s neck. “This still has the tag on it!” Izzy yelled in disgust and clipped it off with some nearby scissors from her beauty case. “Why don’t you wear this stuff all the time instead of letting it rot in the back of your closet? It looks so cute on you.”

“There‘s no reason to dress up for my everyday life, Iz.”

“I don’t care if you work as a garbage man by day, you can look fabulous doing it. And even more fabulous by night.”

“But--” Ally protested.

“You are positively clueless.”

Izzy convinced Ally to continue her makeover by letting her do her hair and makeup. Izzy was like a madwoman applying powders and shadows amongst a fury of wands and brushes. She acted like she knew what she was doing and she was having the time of her life, but Ally was skeptical. Izzy’s idea of glamour was a little too ‘stripper chic’ for Ally’s taste.

“Don’t make me look like a raccoon,” Ally cautioned. She couldn’t believe she was handing over creative freedom to someone with a full blown cosmetics habit like Izzy.

“Have a little faith, Al. I’m your best friend. You’re going to look fabulous.”

Please Lord. Just don’t let it be a fabulous mess,
Ally prayed.

Izzy applied eyeliner with a light hand and Ally’s blue eyes stood out under thick black lashes. It was subtle enough not to overpower her features, but enough to enhance her natural beauty. Just a hint of shadow and a touch of lip gloss and she was finished with her face.

Next, Izzy straightened Ally’s wavy hair for her. She ran the flat iron through her long blonde hair until it shone and fell down her back like waves of gold. When she was finished wielding brushes and combs, Izzy stood back and admired her work. A slow, satisfied smile crept across her petite features. “Fabulous. Just like I promised.”

When Ally turned and looked at her own reflection in the mirror, she was pleasantly surprised. She did look fabulous. But like a fabulous version of herself and not a woodland creature.

“Wow. I love it!” she exclaimed, running her fingers through her now stick-straight hair.

“Rachel Zoe and Pat McGrath have nothing on me!” Izzy cried, referring to the famous celebrity stylist and makeup artist.

“I have no idea who those people are. But I like what you’ve done.”

“You’re very welcome, beautiful friend.”

Suddenly, Ally’s face went from happy to worried. “I’m so nervous, Izzy.” Ally twiddled with the hem of her blouse. “He’s Filet Mignon and I’m…I’m Top Ramen.”

“Well, throw in a couple of DVD’s and you’ve got yourself a Saturday night!” Izzy joked, but Ally rolled her eyes.

“I’m serious. What if he realizes I’m not good enough for him because I’m poor and--”

Izzy cut her off mid-sentence. “Not gonna happen,” she said with confidence. “I’ve seen how he looks at you. You could live in a refrigerator box under an overpass and he wouldn’t care. He
really
likes you.”

Ally had her doubts. “I really like him too and I’m afraid to royally screw this up.”

“Here,” Izzy went over to her purse. “I have something for you,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.

“Why? You’ve already done enough by helping me out tonight.”

“It’s just a little gift for my very best friend.”

Izzy dug a little box out from her Fendi handbag. Ally immediately recognized the blue box as being from Tiffany’s and her mouth fell open.

“But--”

“I wanted you to have something special for tonight. Just think of it as an instant confidence booster.”

“No way. This must have cost a fortune,” Ally said before even opening the box.

“Don’t worry about it. The Pacific Hills escrow closed today.” The manor house Izzy had sold in Red Valley’s prestigious Pacific Hills had finally closed its long, drawn-out escrow. It was a huge milestone in her career with the closing price being at just over four million. “They’ll be the perfect accessory for your new look tonight. Besides the hot man-meat on your arm, of course.” She plopped down on the bed. “Open it.”

Ally removed the lid carefully as if the blue box were made of glass and would shatter in her fingers. Nestled inside the velvet box were platinum solitaire diamond earrings. They sparkled in the light as Ally’s hands began to tremble.

“Iz, these are the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen,” she said through the oncoming tears. “It’s way too much.”

“Don’t cry,” Izzy panicked. “You’ll smudge your pretty makeup.” She stood up and twirled Ally around to the mirror. “Now let’s take a look at you.”

Ally put the earrings in her ears and the two women stood and looked at each other in the reflection.

“You’re gorgeous. Now go knock him off his size thirteen feet!”

Ally turned and squeezed her best friend in a super-size hug. “Thank you.”

They heard a car door outside and looked at each other with wide eyes.

“He’s here!” they yelled in unison.

Ben pulled up to the curb at 6:55. Right on time.  He would have never left Ally’s house the night before, but it had gotten late and Gram needed to go back to bed. Gram was the sweetest women he had ever met and he could instantly see where Ally got her kindness and grace.

Now he was back. Standing at the front door, nervous as hell.

Izzy went to answer the door while Ally stayed behind in her bedroom trying to compose herself. If that was even possible.

When Ben finally knocked, Izzy threw open the door. “Ben! Come on in,” she announced dramatically and waved him inside.

“Hi. Thanks.” Ben stepped passed her outstretched arm and into the living room. “Izzy, right?”

“Yes,” she said with a blinding smile.

“It’s nice to actually meet you in person after talking to you over the phone. Noisy, dark night clubs don’t really count.”

“The pleasure is all mine.” Izzy gave him a good once over with her eyes.

He was looking handsome in a blue button down shirt and slacks. And he had a bouquet of flowers. Make that
two
bouquets. Izzy couldn’t have been happier for her best friend. This guy really was a keeper.

Ben turned his attention to Gram at the kitchen table. “Gram. Hi.How’s the puzzle coming along?” He went over to her and gave her a friendly peck on the cheek.

“Benjamin. Hello.” Gram smiled up at him.

“These are for you.” He held out a bouquet of spring flowers to the old woman. She was surprised and delighted by his kindness.

“Thank you, Benjamin. How thoughtful of you, dear. You sure look handsome.”

Before he could thank her, he felt the urge to turn around and when he did, Ally had come down the hall and into the room. He couldn’t believe his eyes. She looked even more beautiful now than the night
before at the club. He didn’t know how that was possible, but tonight she was positively stunning. Her eyes were bluer than ever and her hair…her hair was long and shiny and complemented her sex goddess appearance.

Ben thought he must have done something incredibly right in his life to be enjoying this now. It was as if everything else had been leading up to this moment in time. Nothing else mattered but her.

He finally found the will to speak. “Hi.”

“Hi,” she said back.

“You look incredible.”

“Thank you.”