Back again! Don't worry I haven't forgotten about Thomas lol, all in due time...
"Lace and fucking tiaras!" muttered Lynn as she stirred her soft blackcurrant drink with the pink plastic straw.
The ice cubes clinked against the frosted glass tumbler. The sound of loud laughter came from the group of young girls in the tables in the corner of the small club. The music changed to some up tempo tune and she began to absently nod her head to the beat of the music. Despite her protests at the glittering plastic headgear nestling in her soft blonde curls and her red lace vest top that showed way too much cleavage than she was used to, Lynn found she was actually enjoying herself. Of course successfully avoiding Andrea for most of the night had contributed to her good mood but that wasn't the only reason. She had spent the majority of the night talking and dancing with Donna and just getting to know her better. The more she learned about her, the more she realised she really liked the young woman that had seemed to have captured the heart of her little brother. She could see why she had. Donna was a genuinely sweet and funny person. She was so easy to get along with and seemed to be exactly what Harvey needed especially after everything he had been through with Andrea. God knows he deserved some happiness in his life after what that bitch had done to him. Not only had she cheated on him, she had the fucking nerve to do it with family. No-one had a clue that she had been seeing their cousin. Three months it had been going on. Three months and nobody had suspected a thing, least of all Harvey. The night he had caught them in Andrea's bed in her apartment, he had planned to surprise her and propose to her. He had surprised her all right and been totally devastated in the process. Harvey had been in love with her. But although her brother had been hurt badly, in her opinion he had a lucky escape. Andrea was bad news and Nick was no better. They had more than proved that with what they had done to Harvey. The pair of them were definitely more than welcome to one other.
Lynn's eyes scanned the crowded dance floor. The coloured lights flashed intermittently illuminating the bodies as they moved in time to the music. As she glanced towards the rest rooms to the right, she spotted Donna making her way towards her. Lynn smiled as she saw her totter unsteadily on her heels. The alcohol was obviously starting to take affect. A middle aged man hovering around the edge of the dance floor obviously liked what he saw as he watched her make her way back to the bar. His jaw was practically hitting the floor. Lynn couldn't blame him. Donna looked amazing in her black lace top and short skirt not to mention the long, slim legs that she personally would die for. The ogling man certainly appreciated them. Her baby brother had too. His eyes had practically bulged out of his head when Donna had walked down to the hotel lobby this evening. She swore it had taken him at least five minutes to form a coherent sentence.
"I got you another drink." Lynn said.
Donna grinned at her as she dumped her bag on the seat beside the bar. Her hand tucked a stray curl of hair behind her ear before she lifted the tall glass of vodka. She raised it towards Lynn. "Bottoms up!" She took a mouthful of her drink.
"Was that young girl still puking in there?"
Donna made a disapproving face as she swallowed her vodka. Her nose scrunched as she nodded her head. "I'm still amazed she has anything left to bring up and her friend is no better. She's practically lying out on the bathroom floor beside her."
Lynn snorted in disgust and looked over towards Andrea's table. She was sitting with her arm wrapped around some "friend" she knew from college. Instead of batting her eyelashes and giggling at him, she should have been in the bathrooms making sure the girls were okay. The one still hanging over the toilet bowl was her young cousin and she was barely legal. Not that Andrea cared. She didn't give a crap about anyone other than herself. She was so self absorbed and selfish. And to think at one time she had considered her a good friend. That was a fucking joke.
"Has your Mom left?"
Lynn nodded as she turned her attention back to Donna. "Her and Aunt Jane got a cab back to the hotel. Poor things." she said, smiling. "They just don't understand how people can dance to this racket. Now in their time…" Her voice trailed off as she laughed. All night her mother and her aunt had gone about the "good old days". They had seemed pretty nostalgic as they reminisced over the dances they had attended at the village hall on a Saturday night. There they had done the fox trot and tango. Hardly the moves found in this modern waterfront nightclub.
"Do you think your Dad will be enjoying himself?"
Lynn nodded her head as she placed her lips over her straw and took a sip of her drink. "Dad always enjoys himself. He likes to mingle with different people. Harvey's a bit like that too."
Donna couldn't help the soft smile that traced her lips at the sound of his name. Harvey. She hoped he was having a good time tonight. He had admitted to her before they left that he wasn't exactly looking forward to it. She couldn't blame him. It had to be awkward although both he and Nick seemed to be able to be civil to one another when they had to be. It was more than she could say for her and Andrea. Not that she wanted to be civil to her. Not in the least. She could still hear the condescending tone in her voice that day at the barbeque when she had accused her of being nothing but a gold digger. Apparently Harvey had been livid when he had found out. Lynn had told her that tonight. She had also told her that he had told Andrea in no uncertain terms to stay the hell away from her. Donna had to give the bitch her dues. She hadn't said another word to her although that didn't stop her from sending hate filled glances in her direction. All night she had been throwing her venomous looks. She'd had to stop herself a few times from going over and asking the bitch what her problem was although she already knew the answer to that one. Andrea still wanted Harvey. Pity she wasn't going to get him. Not while she had a breath left in her body. Harvey was hers now. Her smile widened at that thought. She felt a rush of warmth as she remembered the kiss they had shared earlier before she had gotten out of the cab. It had been so tender and gentle and had left her wanting so much more.
"You're doing it again."
Donna looked at Lynn curiously.
"You're off in your own little world. You're thinking about my brother, aren't you?" smiled Lynn.
Donna didn't even try to hide her grin as she nodded her head.
"Personally, I don't get the attraction. You know he was a snivelling brat when he was little?"
Donna smiled as she placed her glass to her mouth and sipped her drink.
"I also caught him playing with my Barbie doll once. Well I say playing. It was more examining her really. He'll deny it of course." Lynn said placing her glass down on the bar. As she shifted to lean on the metal rail, she noticed the group of men at the entrance door. A soft smile traced her own lips as she spotted the familiar face of her husband. "Well would you look at who's here."
Donna turned around curiously and she raised her eyebrows fractionally as she saw Nick and his father walk in the direction of the bar. Her fingers picked at a loose thread on her halter top. She quickly glanced over at Andrea's table. She smirked to herself as she noticed she was no longer pawing at the guy sitting next to her. It looked like her flirtatious games were over for the night. Her eyes left Andrea and quickly scanned the group of men looking for Harvey. She felt a pang of disappointment when she saw he wasn't with them. She turned back to the bar and smiled at Lynn.
"I never expected them to show up here."
"I did." Lynn waved at her husband and grinned as she got his attention. Her eyes fell back on Donna. "I think Nick has trust issues. God knows why!" she said rolling her eyes sarcastically.
Donna laughed as she lifted her hand and summoned the bar tender. She needed another drink. She turned her head and saw Lynn embrace her husband. Sighing she glanced towards the cherry wood counter and wondered where Harvey had gone. Probably back to the hotel. It wasn't like he had anywhere else to go. Maybe he had gone back with his dad. She hadn't seen him arrive here either. Donna absently tapped her fingers to the music. She wished the bar tender would hurry up although right now she was seriously tempted to jump in a cab and go back to the hotel. God, she was pathetic. She couldn't be without Harvey even for a couple of hours. She was like some love sick puppy pining after him. She was missing him.
"Come here often Princess?"
Donna's face erupted into a huge smile as she heard his deep, smooth tone in her ear. She could feel him leaning into her as he playfully tugged at the plastic tiara on the top of her head. Her body was tingling all over. Harvey was here. Christ, he smelled incredible. His spicy scent infiltrated her senses. She spun on her heel and turned to face him. Her chest rubbed against his arm. She felt her heart flip as he flashed that unbelievable smile her way. His eyes looked into hers and for a second she stopped breathing. He was gorgeous. Her hand automatically reached up and rested on his chest. "Do you know that's the cheesiest line I have heard all night?"
Harvey rested his hands on her hips and smiled at her. Donna's hand fell from his chest to rest on the arm of his white dress shirt. He couldn't help but notice the slightly glazed look in her wide eyes. "And just how many cheesy lines have you heard tonight?"
"Oh I've heard plenty of them."
Harvey chuckled. "Plenty huh?"
Donna nodded her head. Her finger traced the length of his bicep. She stared into his beautiful brown eyes. "All from one guy too. He claimed to be the king of the pick-up line." She began chuckling to herself. "You should have seen him, Harvey. He was at least fifty years old and both his front teeth were missing but you had to love him for trying."
Harvey laughed as he took a loose strand of her hair in his hand, absently twirling it around his finger. He didn't know why but he continuously wanted to touch her. It just felt so natural when they were together. God knows she was all he could think about tonight. Donna was constantly on his mind. He just loved being with her. She was like a breath of fresh air after all the loneliness and the heartache he had endured. When he was with her he truly believed he could be happy again.
"Dance with me?"
Harvey shook his head, "Oh I don't really do dancing."
"Please?" Donna's eyes went wide as she took hold of his hand and tugged on it gently. She tilted her head downwards, her red glossy lips pouting at him. The coloured lights in the club danced across her face.
"Stop giving me the eyes, Paulsen. They're not going to work."
She tilted her head to the side this time. Her eyes were pleading with him.
"Damnit, okay. Once dance and that's it! I mean it." he said, caving.
Donna grinned at him and began pulling him in the direction of the dance floor. He rolled his eyes and mentally scolded himself for being so damn weak although deep down Harvey knew it had been inevitable. He found it impossible to deny Donna anything. God help him if he ever did let her into his heart. He would be done for. But as she pulled him towards her and their eyes connected with one another, he wondered if she wasn't already starting to creep her way in.
"Come here." Donna said sliding her arms around his neck as the music changed to a slow swaying rhythm. She smiled at him gently before resting her head into the crook of his neck. Harvey wrapped his arms around her and held her close as they began to move in time to the music. His eyes closed briefly as he enjoyed the feel of her body pressed against his. He could feel the heat of her skin through the material of his shirt. His big hand moved slowly up and down her back as he placed a gentle kiss in her hair.
"You know you look amazing tonight." he breathed into her ear.
Donna lifted her head and looked at him shyly. He wore a gentle expression in his brown eyes. His lips were pressed together in a smile.
"Without a doubt, you are the most beautiful woman in this room." said Harvey as his hand reached up and his fingertips lightly traced her cheek.
Her lips upturned in a lop- sided grin. Donna swallowed thickly as she looked into his eyes. She felt herself get lost in them. In him. She wasn't even aware of the people dancing around about them. The music was nothing more than a hazy noise in the background. It was if they were the only two people in the room. Just her and Harvey. The rest of the world had disappeared in that brief moment.
"How do you do it?" she asked, smiling at him.
"Do what?"
"Make me always want to smile?"
"Well Miss Paulsen, you've probably consumed enough alcohol to sink a small vessel. That's probably why." Harvey replied teasingly.
"Probably." she agreed. Her eyes twinkled at him. "And it's just as well really. It helps numb the pain every time you stand on my toes."
Harvey chuckled as he glanced down at her open toed sandals. "Well you can't say I didn't warn you. I told you I don't do dancing."
He felt Donna rest her head against him once more. His arm encircled her waist. The curls piled loosely on the top of her head softly tickled his face as they continued to dance.
"It's nice to see him so happy. He deserves it so much." commented Lynn to her husband, holding onto his arm and smiling as they watched Harvey and Donna together. "By the way, you tell him that and I'll kill you."
"I wouldn't dream of it." Adam smiled as he bent over and kissed his wife's cheek. He affectionately rubbed her slightly rounded stomach. Harvey and Lynn bickered constantly even acting at times like they couldn't stand one another. But it was all an act. Anyone could see that. The pair of them were extremely close. They were also fiercely protective of one another. God forbid anyone who hurt either sibling.
"I was worried about him this weekend you know."
Adam frowned as he placed his bottle of beer on the bar. "Why?"
Lynn sighed as she turned away from the dance floor. She pushed aside her glass as she leant back against the bar. Her feet were killing her but she didn't want to sit down. She felt so tired. There was every chance she would close her eyes and fall asleep. "Because of her." she replied as she stared across at Andrea.
She was talking to Nick. Her "friend" from earlier was now gone. He'd made a quick exit. There was no surprise there.
"Andrea?"
Lynn nodded her head. "I don't know why but I always felt she still had some kind of hold on Harvey. I guess I thought that once he saw her again, she'd find a way to convince him to forgive her."
"But that didn't happen."
"No. Not yet at least."
Adam wrapped his arm around his wife and he felt her lean into him. His lips brushed softly against her temple. "Come on. You know nothing is going to happen. Harvey is with Donna now and he's happy. You said so yourself."
"I know." she sighed. "I just can't help but worry though."
"You always worry."
Lynn was about to reply when she saw Andrea out of the corner of her eye. She was standing at the bar less then four feet away. Her pretty face wore a slight frown as she looked out towards the dance floor. Lynn turned towards her and smirked unable to resist the opportunity. She ignored Adam's hissed warning to drop it against her ear.
"You know it's a funny thing. I don't know if I can ever recall seeing Harvey on a dance floor when he was with you."
Andrea snarled angrily in Lynn's direction. She wasn't in the mood for her smart fucking comments. She was already pissed off thanks to Nick and his incessant need to check up on her. He wasn't supposed to be here tonight. Neither was Harvey. She felt a pang in her chest as she glanced over at him again briefly. "He's going to get burned." she stated matter-of-factly as her smoky grey eyes settled on her former friend. "Then we'll see how fucking smug you are."
"Shut up Andrea. You're just a jealous bitch." said Lynn as she shook off her husband's hand as he tried to pull her back. She took a step closer to Andrea. She could feel the red mist descending just looking at her. Andrea was standing there sneering at her with her thin, bony hands resting on her hips.
"Jealous? And why the fuck would I be jealous of her? She's nothing but a parasite looking for a fucking meal ticket"
"What? Like you were?" Andrea glanced away for a brief second. Lynn sneered at her. "That's right, Andrea. You'd conveniently forgotten about the money you begged Harvey to give you to start up your little health and beauty business."
"I didn't beg him for that money. He gave it to me."
"Yeah but only after you'd broke down in tears going on and on about your stupid little pipe dream night after night until he couldn't take it any more."
Andrea pointed her manicured finger in Lynn's direction. "That's not true. He wanted me to have that money."
"Only so he could get you to finally shut up!" Lynn's chest rose and fell with her heavy breathing. Her brown eyes narrowed as she looked in Andrea's direction. She was subconsciously aware of the music changing in the background. "And for your information, Donna is nothing like you. She makes Harvey happy. She's a damn sight better for him than you ever were."
"Yeah? She'll bleed him dry. Mark my words although Harvey will probably deserve it if she does. He's the stupid idiotic bastard that will keep giving her his money."
Lynn was seething with anger as she wrapped her hand around her drink that sat on the bar. Without a second's hesitation she threw her half-full glass in Andrea's direction. She smiled in satisfaction as Andrea stood here, her mouth opened wide in shock. She heard her husband's amused snicker just behind her.
"You bitch!" screamed Andrea as the purple liquid seeped through the white lace material. Her hands tugged at the bottom hem pulling it away from her body. She glared angrily in the direction of Lynn, practically speechless at what she had done.
"I'm warning you. Don't ever insult my brother again." said Lynn pointing at her. Andrea snarled at her before roughly pushing past her and stomping off in the direction of her friends.
"You could cause a ruckus in an empty room."
Lynn turned her head to see Harvey standing just behind Adam. He wore an unfathomable expression in his brown eyes as he brought Donna's hand up to his lips and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles. She couldn't tell if he was amused or pissed off at her. Harvey had a wicked sense of humour. He just sometimes lost it when Andrea was involved. Then again that bitch used to have him wound up so tight at times she thought he would crack. He'd also warned her beforehand to behave herself tonight. Harvey had his pride. His ego couldn't take his sister handling his battles for him. Not in public. But what he forgot was that it was also partly her battle. Andrea had been a good friend once upon a time. She was hurt and angry at her too.
"Mom and Dad never could take her anywhere you know." said Harvey as he dropped Donna's hand and wandered across and stood beside her at the bar. His brown eyes twinkled as he playfully nudged her with his arm.
Lynn grinned as she playfully nudged him back. "Quit telling tales and get me a drink. I seem to have spilled my last one."
Harvey shook his head and laughed as he turned towards the bar tender. Fortunately it looked like the old man had missed all the action being that he was more than happy to serve him and he also gave Lynn a smile as she stood next to her brother.
"So what was that all about anyway?"
Lynn shrugged her shoulder as she picked up a slightly damp beer mat and flipped it over between her fingers.
"What did she say to you? She obviously provoked you." said Harvey. He rested his elbow against the wood as he leant on the bar.
"She had a pop at you and Donna. I couldn't help myself." she sighed as she placed the mat back down on the scratched wooden surface.
"You shouldn't let her get to you."
"Really? Maybe you should be taking your own advice."
Harvey sighed as he shifted his feet against the dirty wooden floor. He saw Lynn looking at him. He knew she had made a valid point. Up until this weekend he had let Andrea get to him in more ways than one. Because of her, he hadn't moved on with his life. He had been stuck in a rut, lonely and miserable, for the better part of a year because in a way he had let her have control of his emotions. He had still thought he loved her. A small part of him had always dwelled on what could have been between them. And of course her fucking mind games hadn't helped the situation. She had pursued him at every opportunity begging him to forgive her and give her another chance. And the fucked up thing was he probably would have – up until a few days ago. Being forced to be around her had shown in her a new light. He realised Andrea wasn't the girl he had fallen in love with. Maybe she never had been. Maybe he had idealised her in his mind not quite ready to let her go but not any more. He knew without a doubt that he didn't love her any more. Things were over between them. He was sure of that. He was surer than he had ever been. He had been stuck in an emotional rut for way too long. He was ready to move on with his life. Slowly.
"Somehow Donna has managed to drag my husband onto the dance floor."
Harvey smiled as he looked over in their direction. Donna's head was thrown back in laughter. She was always so happy. It was contagious. He felt happy every time he was around her. She was like a good mood pill. One that he was sure he could slowly become addicted to. "He never stood a chance. Donna can be very persuasive when she has to be."
"She'd have to be to get you out there dancing." she said as she watched Harvey laugh and remove his wallet from his back trouser pocket. "You know I reckon Donna could be the best thing to ever happen to you."
Harvey said nothing as he handed over the money for the drinks. He tugged at his shirt adjusting it before reaching over and grabbing his beer. He leant against the bar as he watched Donna dance. She laughed again as she bumped her hips against Adam. The five thousand dollars flashed through his mind. It was hard to believe that Donna had started out solely as a business transaction. The money had been a small price to pay for happiness if he managed to find it with her. Part of him desperately believed that he had found it. The other part of him – the part driven by fear that he would be hurt again – wouldn't allow him to. Not yet anyway. But there wasn't any rush. They had plenty of time. In the meantime, he was just going to enjoy being with Donna, getting to know everything about her. For some reason that was important to him. Donna meant a lot to him. He wanted to this properly standing a better chance of getting it right. He wasn't going to let anything – or anyone – screw this up for him.
