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CLARA
THINKING IS FRAUGHT WITH PERIL
This had the potential to be a very long night.
For one thing, Sly looked ridiculously hot in his fitted black pants and tie. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen him dressed up, except the night I’d watched him through the front windows of my house as he’d helped Suzie Barkin into a limo and then climbed in behind her for his senior prom. He’d been wearing a tux, and the image still showed up in some of my less-guarded moments.
He was so handsome.
And he so clearly knew it.
The thing was...there had always been something about Sly Remington, something that never really revealed itself but that I’d glimpsed here and there. It was almost like beneath all the hot guy accessories—the hair, the smile, the body, the hockey stardom—he was trying to hide that he was more normal than anyone suspected. It was like the opposite of Clark Kent and his Superman alter ego. Sly was the superhero all the time, and he didn’t want anyone to know there was a decent guy lurking behind the Wombat jersey.
But maybe I was wrong.
I’d seen shots of him at his hockey games looking cocky and mean, shots of him making out with women around Wilcox or after games when the team traveled. Maybe that was the real Sly Remington.
Sly parked and we headed inside the hotel where the engagement party was being held at the fancy restaurant within. I noticed a few people watching us as we walked in, and I realized that they might recognize Sly. They probably did—hometown hero and all. And I wondered who they thought I was. His latest fling? But then there was Katie...
There wasn’t much more time to think about the weird homework statement he’d made—did hockey players actually study the game in their free time?—or the fact that Katie had mentioned my waxing...
Beck greeted us at the entrance and from that point forward, I was included with the family as we were introduced to Zara’s family. There was so much enthusiastic talk and champagne being passed around, I did my best to smile and say hello when appropriate.
Katie was immediately adopted by the other kids who were already at the restaurant, which the party had taken over entirely. They were poking around the DJ up at the front of the room and taking turns running across the dance floor.
I excused myself after a little while to check in with Katie and then head to the restroom, if only to get a break from the chaos of the party. I was just touching up my lipstick when Zara emerged from a stall.
“You look incredible tonight,” she said, beaming at me in the mirror. Zara had a wide friendly smile with full lips, and the emerald green sheath she wore showed off her curves and lit up her sharp blue eyes.
“So do you. Congratulations. Officially, I mean.”
Her smile widened. “Thanks so much. I’m still just floored that this is my life. That this guy chose me, you know?”
I did know. I’d felt that way once. But it had fallen apart so quickly and so completely that I didn’t have anything to say to the sentiment. I nodded.
“So...you and Sly?” she grinned at me and I waited for the rest of the question, but it didn’t come.
“We went to high school together. He was older.”
“Right, Beck told me that. And that you used to tutor him.”
I dropped her eyes and put my lipstick back in my purse. “Ah, yeah. For a little while.”
“And now?”
I looked up again, wondering if she really thought there was something going on with us. “Now he’s in town for the weekend. I’m a little worried his mother thinks we’re destined to be together since we’re both single.”
"Oh yeah? Violet means well though, I’m sure. And you wouldn’t be interested in having there be anything else between you?”
“I mean...he doesn’t live here. He’s famous. I’m honestly just trying to make Violet happy.”
“That’s it, huh?” she winked.
“It is.”
“Anyway, I guess I’d better get back out there!” Zara gave me one last huge smile and left the room.
I stood for a few more minutes staring at myself in the mirror.
