A Pinch of Ooh La La by Renee Swindle

Author:Renee Swindle
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2014-07-08T16:00:00+00:00

13

Out of Nowhere

Two weeks later, and I was watching men in tights leap and twirl across the stage at the Paramount Theatre. Bendrix had indeed brought Manuel as his date, but the guy kept dozing throughout the performance. Samuel wasn’t much better; he leaned over and whispered that he was having a hard time keeping his eyes open, but he did his best. Besides, who cared? He’d given me an amazing engagement ring and I was ready to forgive him anything. Every now and then his head would dip, but then he’d clear his throat and sit up straight. Bailey and Joan were with us as well. As platinum supporters of the Oakland ballet, Rita and Doug received a bottle of champagne to enjoy during the performance, and we all sipped and reveled in our box seats.

The only problem of the evening, really, was that by intermission Manuel had fallen flat-out asleep and was snoring so loudly people were beginning to stare. Bendrix, embarrassed and livid, gave the mound of muscle sitting next to him a hard shake. After he’d whispered what appeared to be heated words in Manuel’s ear, they both stood up and we all rubbernecked until they disappeared.

Bendrix returned moments before the second half of the performance was to start, without Manuel. He sat down in a huff, straightening his suit while staring directly at the stage. When Bailey asked what had happened to his friend, he said, eyes still on the stage below, “He won’t be returning.”

“Told you,” I whispered.

Bailey and I exchanged looks while trying not to laugh.

After the performance, Rita and Doug suggested dinner at a restaurant nearby. Slowly we made our way out of our seats. The wives led the way while Samuel, who was already busy on his phone, kept up the rear. I was teasing Bendrix about his muscleman when he stopped short, and I bumped into him from behind. “Hey—”

“He’s here,” he said.

“Who’s here?”

He kept his gaze on the vacating audience down below. I searched and searched the crowd until I saw him. I grabbed Bendrix by the arm. “Anthony!” I said. “It’s Anthony!”

“Lower your voice, would you?”

“He can’t hear me. Unless I shout.”

“Don’t you dare.”

We both stood staring as we continued to inch our way to the aisle. Anthony, no surprise, was still gorgeous. When he laughed at something the woman he was talking to said, his smile shone up to the balcony, as beautiful as ever.

“What do you think he’s doing here?” Bendrix whispered.

“The same thing you are,” I whispered in return. I noticed, then, dots of perspiration on his forehead. “Benny, are you’re sweating?”

“It’s hot,” he snapped.

I took a tissue from my purse and dabbed at his face.

“We need to get out of here before he sees us,” Bendrix said.

Bailey looked past Rita so she could catch his attention. “Bendrix! I think I see your Anthony!”

“He’s not my anything,” Bendrix replied. “And, yes, I know. Thank you.”

“Anthony’s here?” asked Rita. “Where is he?”

Joan peered over the balcony. “Near the exit.

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