Nice Girl (29 page)

“Nahh.  Jamie needs a few drinks before he lets loose on the dance floor.”  Luke grinned.  “I think it’s an alpha male thing.”

Sure enough, I saw Anthony, Vinnie, Jamie and Jamal all over at the bar area getting settled with their beers. 

My feet were getting ready to fall off, I danced so much.  There is always something different about dancing at a wedding as opposed to nightclubs.  People are more likely to let loose and get silly.  Eventually we did get Jamie on the dance floor.  We quickly created a circle with me, Jamie, Luke, Mindy, Ivy and her crazy friend Janet.    Jamie and Luke were doing dance moves that had me hysterical.   However, nothing topped Janet whose dirty dancing motions had everyone laughing.  We were having so much fun that even Tyron and Jeff joined our crowd. 

Finally a slow song started.   Ivy yelled for Jamal to walk over and dance with her.  Luke and Jamie immediately went into couple mode and embraced as they slow moved on the dance floor.   I saw India walk up and put her arms around Mindy. 

As I walked off the dance floor, Jamie leaned towards me and said “You know who you should be looking for, Grace.  He’s been watching you the whole time.”  Luke nodded. 

I remembered that brief slow dance that Vinnie and I shared at the gay bar.  I was hoping to feel his arms around me again.  I had to adjust my vision as I walked out of the lights that were dimming for the slow dance.  At first I couldn’t make out anyone at the bar area.  Then a male body stood in front of me.  It was Jeff.

“Would you like to dance, Grace?”

I hesitated.  I wanted to dance with Vinnie.  Yet I didn’t see him.  How do I say no without appearing rude?

“Please Grace.  I feel like a loser because I don’t have a date.”  Jeff begged.

Great.  Now I feel guilty.

“Okay.”  I said and sulked in my head.  I hated myself sometimes for being such a nice girl.

Jeff took my hand and walked me back to the dance floor.  Both Jamie and Luke looked at me with raised eyebrows.  I rolled my eyes at them.

“Thank you Grace.  Times like this make me miss Linda.”

Could this be worse?  I now have to hear about his old girlfriend.

“How long has it been since you broke up?”  I figured I might as well make polite conversation.

“It has been two months.  I really am over her.  She cheated on me.  I would never go back to her.  I just get a little down at times.”

“I understand.  One of my best friend’s boyfriend cheated on her.  It is hard to get over something like that.”

“How long have you been seeing Vinnie?”

I laughed at his assumption.  “Oh Vinnie and I aren’t seeing each other.”

He stopped dancing for a second.  “Really?”

“Yeah.  Well, I don’t know.  Maybe we will one day.”  I answered as confused as I felt.

“You do seem, um, close, with him.  Maybe what I picked up on was just a nice friendship.”

What I wanted to say was thanks for depressing me.  Instead I just nodded.  I knew I was standing as far from Jeff as I could for it to appear that I was slow dancing with him.  I didn’t even like his arms around my waist.  I wanted Vinnie so bad I felt like my arms weighed a ton.

Jeff kept trying to engage me in conversation which I found annoying.  Just shut up and dance I wanted to shout.

Then I saw Vinnie.

He was leaning against a pole that was at one end of the dance floor.  His arms were crossed at his chest.  He was watching me intently with his infamous scowl.  I smiled at how relieved I was that I finally found him. 

Our eyes met and I cocked my head.  I didn’t know how else to signal to him.  He nodded.  I hope that meant he wasn’t mad that I was dancing with Jeff.  He had to know that it was only him I wanted, didn’t he?

  The music came to a stop.  Yes!  Freedom! 

“Thanks Jeff.”  I muttered as I practically ran from him. 

A crazy line dance song started immediately and I heard a whoop from the crowd.  I was no longer in the mood for fast dancing.  I quickly made my way off the dance floor the same time as loony Janet went running to the dance floor like a wild woman.  As she turned to shout to someone to follow her, she smacked right into me.  Since she had at least five inches and fifty pounds over me, I toppled like a line of dominoes.  Knowing how much Janet drinks, it shouldn’t have been surprising then that she lost her footing and landed on top of me. 

Fuck!  That hurt.

All I saw were legs all around us.  I think Janet took one more person down but I can’t be sure.  At that point, I was seeing stars. 

I heard someone ask “Grace, are you okay?”   I think it was a male voice but I was out of it.

Someone started to move their hand under my arms when I heard him.

“Don’t touch her!”  came the unmistakable deep booming voice of Vinnie.  I looked up and saw Jeff pause, then move away.

Vinnie bent down and scooped me up like I was a rag doll.  He had one arm under my legs while the other held me at my waist. 

“Put your arms around my neck, Grace.”  He said in a controlled voice.  I could tell though that he was angry. 

I laid my face into his neck and whispered “I am so embarrassed right now.”

“I hope that drunk broad broke a bone for running like a maniac.”  Vinnie muttered as he carried me out to the lobby.  He found a couch and gently put me down. 

“Yeah, well, if Janet broke a bone then I’m sure she did it on my head.  I have the worst headache right now.”

“Did you hit your head?”  Vinnie looked alarmed.

“I don’t think so.”

“I’ll get you some ice.” He said as he started to get up from the couch.

“No, don’t leave me.”  I grabbed his arm.  I’m not sure why I panicked just then.  Maybe because I couldn’t wait to get to him when the dance ended.  Wanting to slow dance with him and being stuck with Jeff had played at my emotions.   All I know is that I needed him around me right now. 

Jamie stuck his head out the door.  “Is Grace okay?”

“She’ll survive.”  Vinnie shouted to Jamie but still didn’t take his eyes off of me.

“Janet knocked down Luke too.  I’m getting some ice for him.  I’ll be right back with some for Grace.”  Jamie sighed.

Vinnie sat back down on the couch and pulled my legs over him.  No longer did my head hurt.  My body immediately sizzled.

“How come you’re always rescuing me, Vinnie?”  I had to just spit it out.  I wanted him tonight.  I needed to find out where all this tenderness and closeness was leading to.

“Maybe because you always need rescuing.” 

  “Did you wake up one morning and decide that Grace needs a hero?”  I made it sound like a joke but I was dead serious.

I know I thought I was too much of feminist, too much of a career woman to want a man to take care of me.  Yeah, those crazy thoughts were running through my head as Vinnie took off my shoes and started to massage my feet.  Dear God, I wanted this man. 

As soon as Janet knocked me over, he was there by my side immediately.  The way he barked at Jeff, it was almost as if no one else could touch me. 

….and I loved it.

“Maybe I like being called someone’s hero.”  

When his deep voice went softer, it was like a vibration that went through me.  I just realized now how much I craved him when he talked to me in a gentle whisper.  He was so gruff and tough with everyone.  But with me, he didn’t have to be.  It was like our relationship was wondrous and unique.  I needed him to know this.

“You make me feel special.”  I was being so brave.  I had to be.  This was the night I had to know.

Then, Jamie, with the award for the perfect timing, came out with an ice pack.   He looked at Vinnie massaging my feet.

“Did you sprain your ankle Grace?”  Jamie asked.

“No, I’m pretending I did so Vinnie will keep doing what he’s doing.” 

I love you Jamie but go away now.

“How’s Luke?”  I almost forgot to ask.

“Janet’s elbow slammed into his head when they both fell.  He did need an ice pack.  I think he might actually get a bump on his head. What a crazy wedding.”

“After Ivy’s bachelorette party, I guess we shouldn’t be shocked.”  I laughed.  “Thanks for the ice pack but I’ll be okay.”

Luke stuck hid his head out the door.  He was holding the ice pack to his head.  His hair was messed up.  He looked so pathetic, he was actually adorable.  “Hey guys.  They’re cutting the cake.  Get in here.”

“Ugg, I was so comfortable.”  I said as I got up.  The last thing I wanted was Vinnie to take his hands off of me.

Jamie must have noticed.  “Don’t worry, Grace.  Vinnie can massage your feet later.”

Damn right he will
.

The rest of the wedding went by quickly as the typical traditional activities followed.  The bride and groom cut the cake.  Ivy dancing with her father.  Pictures being taken.  The bouquet being thrown. 

I pretended to still be dizzy so that I could sit close to Vinnie the rest of the reception.  I drank two more beers to find a way to get my courage up.  I was trying to figure how I was going to get him back to my room. 

I was contemplating my seduction when I drained my second beer.

“Thirsty, Grace?”  Vinnie grinned.

“Yeah, I could go for one more.”  I was now feeling quite fuzzy.

“Okay, one more.”  And Vinnie got up.

I was motioning for Jamie to come over for advice.  He and Luke were taking pictures of Ivy and Jamal.

“What?”  Jamie mouthed across the room.

“Come here now!”  I practically stomped my foot.

“Hi Grace.” 

I jumped at the interruption.  It was Jeff.

“That was some spill on the dance floor earlier.  Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”  I laughed  “More embarrassed than hurt.”

“Can I get you anything?”

“No, I think the beer I’ve been drinking is drowning out any bruises I’ll be feeling tomorrow.”

He laughed and then sat down next to me. 

This should be interesting when Vinnie comes back.

Jamie saved any awkward conversation when he came over.

“What’s the emergency Grace?”

“Ummm”  Think fast.  “Are we taking an A and V office picture with Jamal?  Luke said he’d take the picture.” 

“Oh yeah, good idea.  Here comes Vinnie.” 

I quickly stood up and noticed the look to kill that Vinnie gave Jeff.

“Come on Vinnie.  We’re going to take a work picture.  See you later Jeff.” 

“Go tell Luke to get Jamal.  I’ll go find Anthony.”  Jamie took off.

I put my arm inside Vinnie’s.  “Our first A and V office picture.  Ain’t it cute, Vinnie?”  I giggled.

“What does that Jeff guy want?”

He was jealous.  I hope I can use that to my benefit later.

“Who cares.”  I answered flippantly 

Luke started acting all professional as he directed where everyone would stand.  I couldn’t wait to get a copy of the picture for myself.  Jamie walked over to us a little frazzled.

“Umm.  Anthony will be here in a few minutes.”

“Where was he?”  I asked.

“Coat closet.”  Jamie said curtly.  “I didn’t need to see what I just saw.”

“A coat closet?  Damn that boy is bold.”  Jamal actually looked impressed.

“I guess we all know what we’ll be doing when Marie comes to visit.” Jamie said dryly.

We all turned to watch Anthony strode over to us while fixing his tie. 

“I’m ready for the picture.”  Anthony had the nerve to sound out of breath.  Vinnie snorted and glared at Anthony.

“What’s your problem?”  Anthony barked at Vinnie.

Vinnie didn’t answer but I could see there was definitely a message in the look he was giving Anthony.

“Not my fault you’re trying to be a fucking monk.”  Anthony muttered under his breath.

“Don’t. Go. There.”  Vinnie answered in a vicious voice.

“Okay.  Smile!”  Said Luke gleefully.  He obviously didn’t hear anything.   Then he paused.  “Hey, why isn’t anyone smiling?”

Without a doubt Jamal and Jamie heard the exchange between Vinnie and Anthony.  I had a feeling that the monk comment had to do with me.  

  It was tense for a moment.  Leave it to Jamie to try to fix the situation.

“Okay everyone.  It is just ONE picture.  Can we all try to smile?  After all, we are one big happy family.  I am personally going to frame this beautiful moment and hang it in the front lobby.”

Jamal chuckled as Luke took the picture.

Chapter 33

The wedding reception came to an end and I started to panic. 

I wanted Vinnie to come back to my room but I didn’t know how to get him there.  I knew he wouldn’t make the first move. 

The fuzziness of the beers I drank earlier had worn off.  Any bravery that the alcohol could have assisted me with was now long gone. 

I started walking out to the lobby with Jamie, Luke, India, Mindy, and Vinnie.   Luke grumbled that his head was hurting again from Janet’s elbow.  Mindy complained about her feet.  India started joking about how Jamal was never going to figure out how to undo Ivy’s buttons in the back of the dress.  I listened to conversation going back and forth as we all walked to the elevator.  With each step, I felt dejected.  I had high expectations that this was going to be the night.  Each step brought me to a sinking feeling it wasn’t going to happen. 

I wasn’t bold enough to suggest to Vinnie to come to my room.  He had too much respect for me to push.  The monk comment that Anthony made now resonated.

Jamie hung back a little.  “You okay Grace?”  He looked at me quizzically.

“Yeah, just tired.”

“Are you sure?  You look a little nervous.” 

I knew what he meant and he was pushing it. 

“Oh, I know what the problem is.”  Jamie raised his voice as we reached the elevator.  “Remember Luke, how Grace has this phobia about hotel rooms?”

“Oh right.  She saw too many horror movies where the couple is at Motel Hell.”  Luke laughed.

What the fuck are they talking about?

“Don’t worry Grace.  Luke and I will walk with you to your room and make sure no one is hiding in the closet before you go to bed.”  Jamie kissed my cheek.