Justice (11 page)

Macey felt tears slipping down her cheeks as she tried to bring her laughing under control. “Nope. Especially after you just said you were going to show me a tiny screw.”

He shifted so he could reach into the pocket of his jeans. “I actually do have a tiny screw in my pants.”

She giggled again as he held the metal between his fingers.

Cupping his face, she smiled. “For the record, there’s nothing tiny in your pants except that screw.”

“I’m aware.” He lifted his head and kissed her. “Are you going to let me fix the door in peace now?”

“Yes. But first, I’m going to take a minute to thank my man.”

“I broke it, babe.”

She stroked his cheek. “No, not for that, although, I am still grateful that you’re fixing it, so thank you for that too.”

“You’re welcome.” He slid her hair away from her face.

“I want to thank you for remembering.”

He cocked his head. “Remembering what?”

“Not to be on top.” Her cheeks grew warm. “We just had a moment that didn’t make me feel afraid.”

“I love you, honey,” he said.

“I love you too.” She leaned down and kissed him again. “I can’t stop touching you.”

“I’m okay with that.”

Macey giggled. “Be aware, baby, I spent too long keeping my distance, so now that the floodgates are open, I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to keep my hands off of you.”

He patted her bottom. “Still okay with that.”

She grinned and climbed off of him. “Are you hungry?”

“Starved.”

“Sandwich?” she asked as she stepped into the hallway.

Dallas slid from the bed and smiled. “Yeah, thanks, babe.”

Macey grinned and laid her hand over her heart as she headed back into the kitchen. She loved him more than she could express, and today, it didn’t hurt.

CHAPTER NINE

S
ATURDAY ARRIVED AND Macey was at the Williams’ home helping to prep for the big party. Melissa’s crafting abilities were second to none and she always managed to do some pretty over the top things with next to no money.

Their home had a large daylight basement and the Williams’ brood had transformed it into a royal ballroom to die for, complete with chandeliers that had been rented from a local lighting shop. They were the plug-in variety, so Chuck had threaded the cords under billowing fabric on the ceiling to hide the wires.

“Molly’s going to freak out,” Macey said as she set out plastic champagne flutes for the sparkling cider.

“I know.” Payton giggled. “I think my parents are setting each of the grandkids up more and more each time. By the time mine come around, there will be diamond encrusted party favors.”

“Can I come to that one?” Macey joked.

“Like you’d get away with
not
coming.” Payton surveyed the room and smiled. “I think we’re good. Time to dress.”

Macey groaned. “Joy.”

“Come on. It’s not so bad.”

“Please tell me there will be grown-up drinks.”

“Oh, honey, Mom bought a case of wine and dad bought beer… we’re covered.”

“Thank God.”

Macey followed Payton upstairs to get ready for the party. They would be dressing in Payton’s old room and they arrived to find that nothing had changed since she’d moved out. The room still held high school memories and cheerleading trophies, items she hadn’t wanted to bring to the apartment.

“Wow,” Macey said as she walked inside.

“I know,” Payton said with a sigh. “Mom’s convinced I’m going to move home any day.”

“That’s kind of sweet.”

“Sure, we’ll go with that,” Payton said. “Okay, let’s see what we have.”

Two garment bags lay flat on her queen-sized bed and their names were pinned to their allotted costumes.

Macey unzipped her bag and let out a curse. “You didn’t say I had to wear her wedding outfit.”

Payton laughed. “Oh my god, Anna’s such a shit-stirrer.”

“Your sister’s going to die.” Macey held up a corset.

Payton opened her bag and groaned. “Yes, she is. Slowly. I’ll help.”

She pulled out Pocahontas’s costume. Macey lost it, dissolving into giggles and sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Bitch,” Payton snapped.

“Why did she pick that one?” Macey waved her hand. “Wait… is this left over from the time you had an obsession with tanning? Oh my god, that’s awesome.”

“Shut up, Macey… no it’s not.”

“But Pocahontas is beautiful.”

“She’s also much tanner than me.”

“Not so much back then, but I do see what you’re saying now.” Macey grinned. “I love your sister. I mean, I hate her for my costume, but I love her for yours.”

“It’s fine,” Payton said. “I have a contingency.”

Payton sidled to the back of her closet and pulled out a see-through garment bag.

Macey gasped. “You cannot wear that! Slutty Snow White is
not
appropriate for Molly’s party.”

“I’ll leave off the thigh-highs and wear panties this time. It’ll be fine.”

“Your mother’s going to
kill
you.”

“I don’t care,” Payton said.

“It’s your funeral,” Macey said.

Macey tried to talk Payton out of wearing her costume again, but Payton was determined, so Macey gave up and focused on putting her monstrosity of a gown on.

Payton had just tightened Macey’s corset when her phone buzzed. “Hello?”

“Hey babe. You okay?”

“Hi, honey.” Macey smiled, her stomach fluttering at the sound of his voice. “Yep, I’m fine. Payton’s just helping me with my costume.” Payton yanked on the corset string and Macey gasped. “Not so tight, huh?”

Payton giggled.

“What’s up?” Macey asked. “Aren’t you on an overnight?”

“Yep. Just missed you.”

“When did you get so sweet?”

Dallas chuckled. “Ages ago. You just didn’t notice.”

She sighed. “I miss you too. Although, I must say, I’m glad you’re not seeing me in this ridiculous dress.”

“Dress?”

“I’m wearing Ariel’s wedding dress.”

Dallas laughed. “You’re not.”

“I am. I really, really am.”

“Oh, babe, I’m sorry,” he said, still laughing. “Did Molly say no to Cinderella?”

“Yes, mini Hitler picked Bailey for that honor.”

“She’s five, honey. She picked everyone’s costume based on hair color.”

“Oh, I’m aware, but Anna’s the one who ultimately made all the final decisions.”

Dallas hummed in agreement. “Yeah that’s true, but since it’s her baby’s birthday, give her a break.”

“Like as in, break her legs?”

Dallas laughed again. “Drama aside, I bet you look beautiful.”

“I wish you were here.”

“No thanks.”

“Traitor.”

“I do love you though.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “In all honesty, I do wish I was there. There ain’t no party like a Williams’ party, even with kids.”

“That’s so true. It’s nice of you to take the shift so Brock could be here.”

“We’ll just hope and pray the sickos stay put tonight. Would hate for him to have to leave the party… especially dressed as Prince Charming.”

Macey snorted. “Could you imagine?”

“Yes, yes I could. Which makes me kind of want to call him in.”

“Don’t you dare,” she admonished.

“What will you give me?”

“My undying love and affection?”

“I already have that,” he pointed out.

“Well, then I won’t kill you in your sleep.”

“Killjoy.”

Macey giggled. “Love you.”

“Love you too. Okay, better go. Will I see you after shift tomorrow?”

“Of course.”

“Can’t wait,” he said. “’Bye, baby.”

“’Bye.”

She hung up and finished dressing. Once Payton was in her get-up, they walked downstairs to find the immediate family milling around in their costumes.

Melissa grinned as she caught sight of Macey and then her face dropped. “No!”

“What?” Payton asked in innocence.

“You get your butt back up those stairs Payton Abigail!”

“
Mom
.”

“You look so pretty, auntie Payton,” Molly said with a squeal. Molly squealed everything.

“See?” Payton said.

“Come with me, Mol,” Anna demanded and guided her little Elsa away from the influence of slutty Snow White.

“Macey, you look beautiful,” Melissa said.

“Thanks.” She grinned at Molly. “You’re the prettiest Elsa I have ever seen.”

“Thanks Auntie Macey,” Molly squealed.

Anna and her husband William were dressed as Elsa and Anna’s parents, while Billy, their six-year-old son, was dressed as Sven the reindeer.

Melissa took Payton’s arms and turned her around, back toward the stairs. “Up.” Melissa whacked her on the butt.

“Ow! Mom.”

“Come back down when I can’t see those cheeks peeking out.”

“Put on the costume I got you,” Anna called.

“Screw—”

“Payton!” Melissa admonished.

“In a light bulb, Anna,” Payton finished, adopting a serene smile as she stomped her way back up to her room.

Macey grinned at Melissa who was dressed as Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother. “You look adorable.”

Melissa rolled her eyes. “I’m too young to dress this old.”

And she was. Melissa Williams was fifty-eight and looked more than ten years younger. She had her long dark hair piled on top of her head, bringing out her deep blue eyes. She was a curvy woman and her husband doted on her. He was a gorgeous man, and at almost sixty, looked a bit like Pierce Brosnan. Tonight he was dressed as a butler and would be announcing everyone’s arrival.

“Well, you’re the hottest godmother on the planet,” Chuck said, kissing her. “Not to mention hottest grandma. Does that make you a G.I.L.F.?”

“
Dad
!” Anna exclaimed. “Gross!”

“Gramma’s a gilf!” Molly squealed. “Gramma’s a gilf!”

“Nice, Dad. Thanks for that,” Anna said, and gave her dad a scowl.

He chuckled. “Your mom’s hot, Anna Banana. You’ll just have to deal with it.”

“Well said,” Macey agreed.

“Thanks Mase,” Chuck said.

“Gramma’s hot! Gramma’s hot!” Molly mimicked… still squealing.

Melissa ushered everyone downstairs and into the bonus room. Macey grinned at Brock and Bailey who looked perfect as Prince Charming and Cinderella.

There wasn’t much time to chat, as the guests began to arrive, decked out to perfection as varying princesses and even the occasional prince. Macey couldn’t help but get caught up in the festivities as everyone fully got into the fantasy of the evening, participating in their characters as though they were born to play them.

Chuck was doing a brilliant job announcing all arrivals from the doors of the “ballroom.” The little girls grinned and held themselves as though they were true royalty, entering the room with grace and style. Well, as much grace and style as four and five-year-olds could muster before squealing and rushing to hug Molly and their friends.

Macey and Bailey stood off to the side as Brock and several of the other gentlemen took turns dancing with all the little princesses.

“Do you think we were this squealy as babies?” Macey mused.

“I totally was,” Bailey admitted. “I’m embarrassed to admit, I was squealy even when I wasn’t a baby. You should have seen my sweet-sixteen. My friends were in constant state of squealdom… my parents rented out the town hall and transformed it into a party palace.” She sighed. “I think they spent fifty grand.”

“Shut up.”

“It’s true.” Bailey shook her head. “Even then, I felt kind of disgusted by it. But Mama had to outdo Susannah Rocker’s sixteenth the year before. Sick.”

Before Bailey had exposed her retired senator father’s and socialite mother’s illegal activities, she’d lived in an historical mansion in Vermont. She was the epitome of a wealthy debutant, only without the wealthy debutant attitude.