Isabella scanned the packed dining room as she made her way out of the kitchen to greet her customers. She sure had a full house, and what pleased her the most was that most of the faces were new to her. Most, except one very familiar table. Before she could turn around and seek refuge in the kitchen, she was spotted and waved over.
�Great, what do I say to the mother of the man that I had a one night stand with, got pregnant with his child, and lost the baby?� Isabella thought to herself as she wrung her hands, walking to their table.
�Good evening ladies. How is everyone tonight?� Isabella forced her smile.
�We�re great, but what about you? We heard you�ve been under the weather. Are you feeling better now?� Sasha asked, offering her the vacant seat next to her with the wave of her hand.
�I�m doing better. It�s a slow recovery, but I�ll live.� She joked.
�What was wrong dear, anything major?� Bunny asked.
�She doesn�t know.� Isabella thought. �What do I do, do I tell her?�
�Oh Bunny, that�s really none of our business.� Sasha told her friend after noticing Isabella�s hesitation.
Bella looked relieved. �Let�s just call it girl problems and leave it at that.�
�Well, I am so glad you�re back. And perfect timing too.� Sasha said, searching through her purse. She pulled out a small black envelope and handed it to Isabella.
�What�s this?� Isabella asked, opening the envelope as she spoke. Inside was a black card with the words �You�re Presence is Requested�� inscribed with gold lettering. She opened the card to find more information regarding a charity ball that Sasha was hosting at her house that weekend.
�It�s our annual Gold and Black Ball. When my husband was alive, he started a foundation to help rescue dogs from puppy mills and the abuse and mistreatment that they received. God rest his soul, he truly believed in �Man�s Best Friend�, and he would do anything he could to save them.� She wiped a tear from her eye, remembering her late husband. �You really must come. I�m afraid I can�t take no for an answer.� She said with a huge smile.
�I�m honored that you would think to invite me, but I can�t really leave the restaurant again so soon after being sick.� She tried to protest.
Bunny pulled a silver envelope out of her purse and sat it in front of Isabella. �That�s an invitation to my ball the week after. Our foundation benefits orphaned children to give them a better life, and puts them through college. I won�t take no for an answer either. Besides, we�ve already talked to Delicious Dylan, and he assured us that he would take good care of the restaurant in your absence.�
�Wow.� Isabella was overwhelmed. �I�m not really sure that I can afford this.� She told them honestly, thinking of the monetary donations she�s have to make, as well as the cost of two different formal dresses.
�That�s simple. All I ask is that your restaurant donates some of those wonderful Lobster Dainties appetizers, enough to feed 150 people.� Sasha told her.
�And I would like some of those Shrimp Bruschetta Rounds, for the same number of people.� Bunny added. �We�ve both hired caterers, but we�ve told all of our friends how wonderful your restaurant is, and this would be an excellent way for you to network, as well as have a little fun that night. And, my seamstress will be waiting for you tomorrow morning. She promised to give you a great deal on your dresses.� Bunny handed her a business card, again from her purse.
�Well, you�ve made it virtually impossible to say no.� Isabella raised her eyebrows and took a deep breath. �I guess the answer�s yes then.� She smiled.
Both Bunny and Sasha clapped their hands. After Isabella excused herself from the ladies, they high-fived each other. �Bet is on.� Sasha told her.
�You know, you should just give it up. She�s going to end up with my Parker.� Bunny told her with all the confidence in the world.
�Not a chance. The minute she sees my Thomas, she�s going to go weak in the knees and melt at his feet.� Sasha bragged.
�We�ll see�� Bunny promised, not telling Sasha that Isabella and Parker already knew each other. She wasn�t sure if they were friends or not, but she could tell that there was something between them.
00000
�I can�t believe I�m doing this.� Isabella told Jason as she got ready for her first ball ever. �I mean, look at this dress. I could never have afforded it if it wasn�t for Bunny. Her seamstress was amazing. She knew exactly what to do to make me look good, and she knew what I wanted before I even said anything.�
�Girl, you look hot. That�s enough to turn a gay man straight.� He wagged his eyebrows as he took in her dress while she turned in a circle for him. The dress was long and flowing, but hugged every curve of Isabella�s body. The color was such a deep shade of purple that it looked almost black in some lights, and it sparkled in just the right placed. He didn�t even want to start on her cleavage�Even a gay man could appreciate the valley between the mountains.
Bella laughed. �This is so unreal. I feel like such a princess.�
�You look like one too.� He told her. �I�m going to go down and hail you a cab so that you don�t have to stand on the street like that. I don�t want someone snatching you up as their prize.�
She laughed again as Jason kissed her cheek before leaving. She took a final look in the mirror, running her hands over the dress, making sure that it was all real. She heard a knock at her door and nearly jumped out of her skin.
�Who is it?� She called out.
�Thomas Winters. My mother, Sasha Winters, sent me over to pick you up.� The voice at the other side of the door called.
Isabella looked confused and rushed to the door to open it. �Hi. I wasn�t expecting her to do that.�
�She said that she wanted to make sure you got to the house ok.� He told her. Then, with a million watt smile, he confided, �But I think she has an ulterior motive.�
Isabella smirked and nodded. �That I can believe.� She laughed and held out her hand. �I�m Isabella Violi. Nice to meet you.�
Thomas took her hand and kissed it. �Nice to meet you too. I�m glad to finally put a face to the name I�ve heard so much.�
�Likewise.� She told him, looking into his crystal blue eyes. She had to admit, Sasha was right, he sure was handsome.
�Well,� Thomas snapped her out of her stupor of looking into his eyes, �We should probably get going. Don�t want to upset Mother by being too late.�
�Right.� Isabella mentally shook herself. She grabbed her small handbag off the coffee table. �Let�s go.�
All was quiet as they made their way outside, until Isabella saw Jason standing in the middle of the street with his hand in the air. Then the air filled with her laughter.
�TAXI!� He shouted at one that passed by him, never slowing. �Stupid son of a bitch.� He muttered, flipping the driver off. Another one came by. �EXCUSE ME! TAAAAXI!� He yelled. That, too, passed him by. His hands flew to his hips. �Do I have fucking queen written on my forehead? Is that why you won�t stop?�
Isabella had enough. She didn�t want Jason tortured any more than he already was�funny as it may be. �Hey Jase, it�s alright. I got a ride.�
Jason looked over to where Isabella stood with a man he didn�t know�a fine specimen of a man he didn�t know. He walked back to the curb, wanting an introduction. �And who is this hunk of a man?�
Isabella looked mortified. But before she could introduce them, Thomas held out his hand. �Thomas Winters. Pleased to meet you.� He smiled and showed his perfectly straight, bright white teeth.
�Well hello Tommy Boy. I�m Jason, the man of your dreams.� He shook his hand, holding on to it a little longer than necessary.
�Jason!� Isabella yelled. She grabbed Jason by the ear and dragged him away from Thomas so she could yell at him. �I can�t believe you are embarrassing me like that.�
�Sweetie, he�s a closet flamer. I hate to tell you.� Jason told her, matter-of-factly.
�What? You�re delusional!� She protested. She looked over at Thomas, who gave a little wave in their direction. �I�ve got to go, we can�t be late.�
�Ok, at least I know you�re safe tonight with him as your date.� He smirked and kissed her cheek before turning and leaving.
�Sorry about that.� Isabella said, rejoining Thomas. �I�m ready whenever you are.�
The ride to the house was filled with them comparing notes on all they had in common. They seemed to like the same music, books, movies, and shows on television. By the time they got there, Isabella thought Jason was way out in left field by saying that Thomas was gay. They had some real chemistry, and she didn�t think that would happen with someone who had no interest in women.
Thomas got out of the towncar first, then turned to offer his hand to Isabella. �Here we go.�
�Yup, here we go.� She held on tighter to his arm as he led her to the front doors and into the foyer, where Sasha was waiting to greet her guests.
�Ah, Isabella. I see that Thomas got you here ok?� She asked, so pleased to see her with her son.
�Yes, he was the perfect gentleman. And thank you for sending him, but it was completely unnecessary.� Bella told her. �Did the appetizers arrive?�
�They did. They were delivered about half an hour ago. Right on time. So now you can relax and enjoy yourself.� Sasha winked. �Thomas will be your personal escort this evening, so if you need anything, you just let him know.�
Isabella thanked her and moved with Thomas to get a drink from the bar. As they were waiting, Bella heard a woman behind her raving about the Lobster Dainties. It sent such a warm feeling through her, with a smile gracing her face. Thomas handed her a glass of champagne, and led her through the room to mingle with the guests.
About an hour into the party, Isabella and Thomas were leaving the dance floor when she looked up and locked eyes with the last person she would have expected to see there. �Excuse me for a minute.� She said to Thomas and walked in the direction she had just seen him.
Seeing her walking towards him, he met her half way. Once they met in the middle, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. �How�re you feeling?� Parker asked.
�Much better, thanks. How�ve you been?� She asked him, feeling like it had been weeks since they last saw each other, rather than just a few days.
�I�m good.� He took her hand over her head and twirled her around. �You look phenomenal.�
The look he was giving her made her go weak. �Thanks. You don�t look so bad yourself.� She winked at him.
�You can thank Mother for that. As if I�m still 5, she picked out my outfit for me.� He told her with a shake of his head.
�Well, she did great.� Bella told him, running out of things to say to him, but just happy to be in his presence.
�Darling, I turned to talk to someone and you left me.� A blonde woman pouted as she came up to Parker.
Parker jumped and turned around to see his date. He looked back and forth between Isabella and Lynda. �Uh, Isabella, this is my date, Lynda. Lynda, Isabella.� Parker introduced awkwardly.
�Nice to meet you.� Lynda told Isabella, showing no emotion on her face, letting her know that it wasn�t quite as nice to meet her as she said.
�I�m sure.� Bella quipped back. �Well, I have to run, I�m sure Thomas is looking for me. Nice seeing you.� She turned to leave, but was stopped by a hand on her arm.
�Thomas?� Parker questioned.
�Yes, Thomas Winters. My date for the night.� She smirked at him, then shrugged out of his grip and walked away.
Parker stood there and watched Isabella disappear into the crowd, only to appear a few minutes later with Thomas on the dance floor. He shook his head and realized that there was nothing that he could do about it as he returned to his own date. They were friends, and he had no claim on her, just as she had no claim on him. That was how it had to be.