EMILY knew Milo had shown up, fifteen minutes early, on Saturday night because while she stood in front of her bedroom mirror applying lipstick she heard Edward bellow "Get out you scoundrel ruffian! Out! OUT NOW!"
Emily was lifting her skirt of her long red ball gown, as she rushed down the stairs, when she heard Edward say "Alice! Get the gun."
"Grandfather." Emily skidded into the room, giving Edward a scolding glare. "This is my date for the charity dance tonight. Milo, this is Edward Quatermaine, don't worry his bark is much worse than his bite."
Alice barreled into the living room, a shot gun in hand, saying "Trouble, sir?"
Edward pointed at Milo, who stood stiffly looking every bit the gentleman in a black tux. "This gangster wants to take my granddaughter out and I will not allow it. Escort him to his car and see him off the property."
"Sir, " Milo said "You have my word Emily will be well protected while she is with me. I will make sure no harm comes to her."
"First Sonny and now his flunkee." Edward moaned "Child, can't you find a nice doctor at General Hospital to fall for? Like Robin did."
Emily plastered a smile onto her face and walked over to Edward. She kissed his cheek. "Thanks for your concern. But I'll be fine. Good night, grandfather."
Emily and Milo walked out of the mansion, with him opening the door for her. Once outside, she turned to him.
"Sorry about all that," she said.
"It comes with my job. Lets not allow that to start our night off on the wrong foot." He gave her a smile, her heart flip flopped.
How odd. He was not supposed to make her feel anything.
Milo looped her arm through hers and led her to his car. He pulled open the door and as Emily ducked to get inside, her eyes connected with his. She didn't lose her breath but a feeling of being safe came over her body. It had been more than a year since she felt that way.
While he walked around the car to get in the drivers side, Emily stared out the windshield. She saw her Grandfather in the window, peering out, with Alice over his shoulder. The shotgun could be seen pointing skyward next to their figures.
Emily shook her head, chuckling to herself. Her family was more dangerous to be around than a man who worked for the biggest gangster on the east coast.
KELLY studied herself in the mirror of the compact as she waited on the docks. Her twisted updo hairstyle looked messy chic, her eyes held just a hint of sex. The gown she wore hugged her curves, sliding down to the ground in a sensual haze of violet.
Nikolas stepped off the boat, looking like a local version of James bond in his tux. More international than any other man in town, in Kelly's eyes, more sophisticated, old world almost. From another time, or a storybook.
"You look lovely," he said "But I should have picked you up."
Kelly had insisted he didn't. Giving him a bad girl grin she said, "I'm not one of those girls, Prince."
"Hmm." Nikolas smiled and put a hand on her back to lead her to the nearby parking lot where he kept his jag. "Should I even ask what kind of girl you are?"
"A woman. One who knows what she wants. And doesn't say no when she means yes. Does that scare you?"
"Not in the least."
"Then we might just get along." Kelly opened the door to his jag as soon as he unlocked it, not waiting for him to do it for her. She eased inside, relaxing into the leather seat with a sigh. Now this was a lifestyle she could get accustomed to- dating royalty, traveling around in the best cars, jets, boats, living in the closest thing this town would ever see to a castle. She would not mind, in the least, ending this night in the four poster bed with satin sheets she imagined he owned.
Nikolas slipped behind the wheel, revved the engine to life, and dropped the top of the convertible.He turned on the radio. "Would you lie with me and just forget the world?" (Snow Patrol)
"I meant to tell you," he said, as he put the car in gear. He turned and caught her eye "thank you for inviting me to this Ball, Dr. Lee."
"Call me Kelly." she said, thinking Call me sweetheart, baby, darling, lover, call me whatever you want! "You are more than welcome, Nikolas. Why should either of us sit at home alone when we could be together? Enjoying life and each other."
Nikolas said, "I could not agree with you more."
LIZ fretted, as she paced her apartment waiting for Pete. She had picked up the phone to cancel this date twenty times in the last few days. But she always hung up before she made the call. If she could get through this date she could avoid losing the bet. It was just one date, how bad could it be?
She found out when she opened the door. He stood there in jeans and a slightly wrinkled white shirt, the top button undone. A black top hat was perched, slightly askew, on his head.
Her mouth dropped. He looked good, but he couldn't be serious. Could he?
"Where is the rest of your outfit?" she asked him
He looked down at himself. "Pants, shirt, socks, shoes. What did I forget?"
"The tux! This is black tie. Formal. Didn't you know that?" She was wearing a gown she borrowed from Robin, a green silk number that shimmered.
"That's why I added the hat." Pete gave her a grin.
Elizabeth threw up her hands. If anyone was embarrassed tonight by him sticking out, she decided it would be him alone. She was not his girlfriend so there was no one who could expect her to tame him into conformity. She spun around and scooped her wrap and purse off the couch. When Liz turned around again, Pete was right behind her.
He peered around the apartment.
"Aren't we saying good bye to that cute little boy of yours before we leave?"
"Cam." she said, a smile tugging at her lips. It was sweet of him to remember. The first sweet thing Pete ever did in her presence. "He's with my grandmother for the night."
"So, no curfew then?" He winked at her. Sounding like a frat boy he said, "Nice."
The smile fell from her face. This is going to be a long night, Liz thought.
LAINEY did some mental relaxation exercises while she waited for Ned to pick her up.
Robin had just left to go stand in front of the apartment building to wait for her date.
When the knock came she moved to the door in slow motion, trying to keep herself calm. She didn't want this date to be a big deal but, in her heart, she knew she would not waste another chance at love- like she had with Justus. If there was any spark with Ned tonight, she wanted to pursue it. Jump in the deep end.
Life was too short for anything else.
Ned looked amazing in his tux, mature yet boyish. A rebel family man.
"What a dress," he said appreciatively as he took in her dark blue low cut gown. A diamond necklace hung directly over the dip in her cleavage. "You have great taste, doctor"
He stuck his hand forward, presenting her with a single yellow rose.
"Thank you," she murmured.
"Are you ready?" his voice was soft.
Am I ready? she asked herself. Justus came to mind. He had taught her not to put off living. She stepped into the hall, pulling the automatically locking door close behind her.
"Yes, I'm ready."