13
The usual group is waiting for us inside the limousine.
Kate, her husband Garrett, and Jasper are my usual companions, and we're almost always joined by Jasper's best friend, Alice, and her parents, Jessica and Mike, at my godson's insistence.
You're squeezed in next to me while little Alice explains to Garrett that girls are allowed to dress up however they want. She's five years old and throwing words around like misogynist and sexism and the like, all while dressed like Captain America.
Her mom and dad try to apologize, but Kate waves it off. "Garrett could learn a lesson on repression."
Jasper is glaring at his dad. "We're best friends, and she's the Steve to my Bucky, so stop it."
You hide a smile against my shoulder and whisper, "You look very handsome."
I drop a kiss on your crimson lips. "You look amazing."
The limo comes to a stop, and the door slides open as thousands of flashing lights brighten the darkness of the car like a strobe light.
"Okay." Kate takes a deep breath and turns to her son. "The Newtons will go first, and then you're going to help Alice get out like a gentleman. You don't have to hold hands on the carpet, but you have to stick together."
Jasper's eyes roll. "This ain't my first rodeo, woman."
Kate smacks him upside the head. "Your father and I will be right behind you. Behave, or you're spending the night with one of the handlers upstairs and away from the party."
He nods and makes a big show of helping his "date" out of the car.
"Okay, Garrett, get out and don't embarrass me." She turns to us while he climbs out. "You're going to walk the carpet, try to stop for a few reporters, and deflect any personal questions the best you can. Bella is your girlfriend, and you're lucky to have her on your arm. Don't mention her profession or how long you've been dating—"
"This ain't my first rodeo, woman."
I get the same treatment as Jasper.
Deep breaths, beautiful. Here we go.