The Green Ticket (31 page)

“Hi, babe. You look absolutely stunning,” he greeted me, handing me over a bouquet of deep red roses.

“Henry! Thank you so much, these are beautiful. Dani, do we have a place to put these?”

“I’m sure we can rustle something up. I’ll go check it out in a sec.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Dani, this is my boyfriend, Henry Landon. Henry, this is Dani Dohlman, co-owner of Blissful.”

My boss and boyfriend shook hands, then Dani wrapped him in a hug as well. “Oh, it’s so good to meet you, Henry! We’ve heard so much about you. I’m thrilled you could make it tonight. And these are just gorgeous! Let me just run quick and see if I can get some water for them.” She scuttled into the throes of the restaurant as Henry and I continued walking towards the stairs, heading to the upstairs level that had been reserved for the party.

“Well, she seems friendly,” Henry observed, watching Dani scurry through the crowd and get swallowed up by the partygoers.

“I’ll be curious to see your reaction to Kevin. Come on, let’s go upstairs.” I linked my arm through his and we continued to the staircase. Tango had an upper and lower level, the lower level being a fancy restaurant that featured menu items like filet mignon and a wine list a mile long. The upper level was the dance club, with a massive tiled dance floor and cozy booths sprinkled around it. The DJ booth stretched along the east wall, enclosed behind a barricade of glass. There were three tall blocks in front of the booth and girls were already on the blocks dancing their little hearts out. The lights were low and strobe lights flickered throughout. Music videos were showcased on the walls which I thought was neat since no TV station played them anymore.

I squinted in the darkness, wondering where the group was. I didn’t have to wonder long. Almost the entire room was filled with people there for my party. A row of booths were adorned with pink and black balloons, streamers, and a big banner proclaiming, “Happy 21st Alex!” There was also a large picture of me, Lila, Hannah, Carmen, and Emma in a frame that was resting on an easel in the corner. I recognized the photo from the New Year’s party we attended. Little bowls of snacks sat at each of the booths, along with more confetti and napkins that also wished me happy birthday. Overwhelmed couldn’t even describe what I was feeling.

“Holy shit. I feel like this is my sweet sixteen party or something. Are there TV cameras here?” I joked to Henry, but my eyes flitted about the room. I wasn’t going to put anything past Dani and her party-planning skills again.

“I wasn’t aware of that detail, so I think you’re okay. Come on, you have to see your cake.”

In a daze, I let Henry take my hand and pull me gently to the booth where my girlfriends and Dani were sitting. I noticed that Dani had indeed found a vase, wrapped a pink ribbon around it, and placed my bouquet of roses at the head table. My party was beautiful.

“Do you love it?” Lila shouted to me, giving my hand a squeeze.

“I can’t believe you guys did all this work for me. And kept it a surprise! You sneaky bitches.” I tried to glare at my friends, but it turned into a huge smile. “I don’t deserve you ladies.”

“You bet your ass you do! Here, the bartender has a special drink for you,” Carmen cut in, handing me a champagne glass filled with pink liquid.

“What is this?” I sniffed the drink before taking a little sip, followed by a much larger one. It was an explosion of fruit and bubbles in my mouth.

“It’s called the Alex-osa. I named it myself. It’s like a mimosa, but with liqueur instead of orange juice. It’s a lethal concoction. Drink slowly if you want to remember this night,” Carmen warned, taking a generous swig of her Alex-osa.

“Wow. I’ve never had a drink named after me before. And where is this cake that I have to see?”

“Ta-da!” Emma flung her arms out in flourish, walking alongside Dani and helping her roll out a cart with a four-tier cake settled on it. My cake was out of this world beautiful. I’d seen less fancy cakes at weddings. The bottom tier had pink and brown stripes, the third tier had pink frosting with silver squiggles, the second tier had brown frosting and pink dots covering it, and the tiniest tier was all pink with an exquisite stiletto perched on top. Upon closer inspection, I could tell the shoe wasn’t actually
on
the cake, it was on a little stand with four prongs going into the top layer. I also saw that it was no ordinary shoe. The red sole gave it away–– it was a Christian Louboutin. Only
the
most coveted shoes in the world. I didn’t have to be a celebrity follower to know that design, and know that women everywhere would do anything for a pair of these outrageously expensive shoes. And one was my cake topper.

“Holy fuck!” My manners went out the window. “How the hell did you guys get a Louboutin shoe as a cake topper? Is it real? Can I touch it?”

“You can touch it, Alex. Actually, it belongs to you. And yes, it’s real. As is this one.” From underneath the cart, Dani produced a tan box with the squiggle of a signature on it.
Christian Louboutin.

“What? What? I don’t understand.” I was near hyperventilating when I opened the box and found the matching shoe. A black lace, peep toe, red-soled beauty of a shoe. That were apparently mine.

“This is a gift from me and your friends,” Dani said, smiling at me.

“Put them on, put them on!” Lila urged me, already leading me over to a booth. I followed in a daze, still unsure what was happening. The limo, the entrance, the people, the decor, the cake, the shoes! I didn’t know what I did to deserve all of this, and I was overwhelmed in gratitude. And already planning my thank-you cards.

I took off Lila’s shoes and carefully slipped on the Louboutins. They fit like a glove. I was Cinderalla. That was it. This was my fairy tale night.

Chapter 18

How could a fairy tale go so wrong? That night was my night. It was finally my time to have some fun. To not worry about schedules and ads and employees and the stress that Blissful caused me every day. To not have to worry about my homework assignments and if I would pass my classes. It was my night to just have some fun.

As the night went on, I really started to believe. Believe that my birthday party would go off without a hitch. I had all my girlfriends around me; I had Henry. Henry was looking at me like I was the only girl in the room –– the only girl in the universe! My friends were having a great time–– Hannah cutting loose on the dance floor, twirling in Peter’s arms. Carmen grinding against Max. Emma trying her hardest to hide that glow when Corey grabbed her hand and led her to the dance floor, pulling her close. And Lila holding court at a booth, regaling some of our classmates and the Blissful staff about her upcoming trip and new life that she would be starting in LA. I even caught some girls asking for her autograph! Lila, blushing furiously, obliged with a smile on her face.

Everyone was content. Everyone was happy. As the clock neared 12:30, I realized that I wasn’t actually that drunk, considering it was my twenty-first birthday and I probably should have been passed out in a pool of my own vomit by then. But I had done so much talking, taken so many pictures, showed off my new shoes so many times, that I really hadn’t overindulged on too many drinks. The Alex-osa’s were bomb, and I think I had two...maybe three. I knew I did a shot with Lila at the beginning of the night, a jolly rancher that tasted just like, well, a jolly rancher. It felt a little weird drinking in front of so many people that called me their boss, so I was being conscientious of that fact. But I was still enjoying myself, don’t get me wrong. My birthday party was exceeding anything that I could have thought of. Until it happened.

Kevin, who was piss-ass drunk before I even showed up at Tango, was in prime condition. I was keeping an eye on him, as were both Henry and Lila, but he seemed to be doing all right. Sure, he was loud at times. And yes, he made some off-color remarks to my party guests–– including both Allie and Carmen. Allie’s fiancé –– who was a perfect gentleman and who I thought was quite handsome in the looks department –– just took Allie’s hand and led her to the dance floor after Kevin told her she should have worn a shorter dress because she rocked “legs that that bitch Cameron Diaz would pay for–– after she bought herself a pair of real tits.” And Carmen simply flipped him the bird and flounced away after he announced to her that, “Mexico wants its hot tamale back, hot damn, baby!”

But my party literally screeched to a halt just minutes after I checked the time at 12:30 and was congratulating myself on a night to remember. I wandered over to the booth were Lila was sitting, and Henry was soon by my side. He gave me a light kiss on the forehead, snaking his arm around my waist and pulling me close. “I think it’s just about closing time,” he whispered in my ear–– loudly, since the music was so loud.

I nuzzled into his shoulder. “You’re staying at my place still, right?”

“Nowhere else I would want to be,” he responded, causing goosebumps to spread up my arms. A half-naked Henry in my bed sounded like just where I wanted to be at that moment. I was thinking about herding my girlfriends together when I heard Kevin shout my name behind me.

“Alex! Alex, you owe me a dance, you dirty slut. Come on! Come dance with me.” I turned around to find Kevin on the edge of the dance floor, his shirt all the way unbuttoned and half off. I watched in horror as he took it off and stuck it between his legs, thrusting back and forth while whooping and hollering. Everyone was starting to stare.

“Oh, Jesus. Where the hell is Dani?” I looked around Tango, trying to spot Kevin’s wife and the only one who could calm him down. She was nowhere to be found.

“He is out of control, Alex. I can’t believe you have to work with him every day,” Lila said, staring at Kevin. “Kudos to you for still being there. I probably would have snapped by now.”

Kevin started coming closer to us, gesturing wildly and throwing his hands in the air. “Alex! I said now!” he hollered, finally reaching the table. His eyes were bloodshot, he was sweating profusely, and he reeked like someone had dumped bottles of liquor on him. It was disgusting. He grabbed my hand and started pulling me to the dance floor. “Dance, little girl! Come on, show me your moves. I know you got them buried under that prissy exterior!”

My mouth dropped open. How dare my boss say those words to me? “Kevin, I don’t think that’s very appropriate to say to one your employees. Especially your manager,” I retorted, my hands going to my hips. Fuck no! I was not going to dance with this douchebag.

“I don’t think
this
is appropriate either, but I want to see them!” I stared confused at Kevin when he said that, having no idea what he was talking about. Before I could think or react, he reached up and put a hand on either side of my v-neck top...and ripped. Ripped my shirt off in the middle of the dance floor of one of the busiest night clubs in Des Moines. Completely ripped my brand-new birthday shirt in half, leaving me exposed and in a lacy bra that was meant for Henry’s eyes only. In front of my friends. Classmates. And employees.

“Yeah, baby! We gotta get you a deal for Gropers! Someone! Anyone! Grab me my phone. Call Chris–– she needs a photo shoot!”

The club seemed to go silent. I swear, I thought the DJ did that halt the records thing that sounded like a zipper, but I knew the music was still playing. I saw black and could hear my heartbeat in my ears. I couldn’t move, couldn’t cover myself up, couldn’t do anything. Shock. I was in shock. Kevin had officially humiliated me on my birthday.

“Alex! Oh my God, here!” Lila had run over to me, throwing someone’s jacket over my exposed body. I could see Carmen running towards me from the bar on the other side of the dance floor, fire in her eyes. I could see Emma and Corey coming my direction. I saw Hannah gripping Peter’s hand as she rushed my way. And I saw Henry push Kevin backwards. It wasn’t that he pushed him hard, but Kevin was already so off-balance that he tumbled to the ground, landing in a heap at Henry’s feet. I blinked, still not understanding what had just happened. Did Kevin really say he wanted to see my boobs before ripping my shirt off me? That couldn’t have happened. There was just no way.

“Where the fuck is Dani? Someone find Dani. Now!” Carmen screamed as she finally made it to me, wrapping both arms around me. “Are you okay, Alex? Are you okay? We’re going to find Dani. We’re going to figure this out. Alex? You okay?”

I finally snapped out of my daze, focusing on Carmen’s dark eyes. “What. The. Fuck?” I finally managed to get out, pulling the coat around me tighter. I didn’t even know who it belonged to, but that was the least of my worries. I glanced around, seeing Allie and her fiancé staring at me. One of the front desk gals, Tiffany, was standing in a circle with two stylists, Sophia and Lindsey, the three of them just staring at me in shock. Morgan and Shawna, an esthetician and massage therapist, gaped at me. How the hell was I supposed to act normal around my employees now? They had seen me in my bra! Shirt ripped off by the guy that signed their paychecks. What happened next?

Kevin was still on the ground, struggling to his feet. I noticed security making their way over to us. Lila and Carmen started to lead me to the stairs. Hannah and Peter were gathering our things at the booth–– our clutches and the gifts I had been given. My Louboutins, which had been so comfortable all night, suddenly felt like they were cutting off my circulation.

“Sir. We’re going to have to ask you to leave.” Security had made their way to Kevin, and they were now helping him off the ground.

“I’m not leaving! This is my party! Do you know who I am? Where’s Rick? Someone get Rick up here! He’ll tell you who I am. I probably paid both of your wages tonight!” Kevin was screaming in their faces, his own face red and eyes bulging. I cringed, just wanting to get far, far away from the whole scene. I wondered if I could ever show my face again at Tango. Probably not.

“Sir. We saw what you did, which is grounds for needing to leave. Right now,” the second security guard, who had even bigger biceps than his partner, didn’t even flinch at Kevin’s words. I was sure they heard it at all being bouncers at bars.