The party comes back into focus with its twinkling lights and spicy smells. The dinner is precisely what the menu promised: seven different courses, each finer and more extravagant than the last, molecular gastronomy reinventing some exquisite French dishes into spectacular new forms. The plating is gorgeous, too, and the wine pairing just brings every taste to a whole new level.
“My God, this is the third course,” Jamie groans and takes another sip of water. “How the heck am I going to make it to the seventh?”
“It’s not a lot of food, if you look at it,” I quip, nodding at my plate as the waiter sets it down in front of me.
Jamie frowns slightly when he notices that my plate has a couple of extra shrimp on top of the black rice bed. “I love shrimp,” he mutters.
“Have at it; I’m not a huge fan,” I laugh, watching him spear each morsel to transfer it onto his plate.
“There was a non-fish option, too,” Cole says.
“I know, but I figured it’s seven courses. I don’t mindskipping one.”
Toby leans in and plants a kiss on my cheek. “Seven courses mean nothing, if I don’t get to taste you later.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll get your fill of me tonight,” I reply with a soft giggle.
“We have quite the appetite; I should warn you,” Cole adds with a devilish smile.
The clinking of metal against a glass draws our attention to the end of the long table where the bride and groom are seated. I notice Sheila’s nasty glare bounce off me before I look at Terrence. He’s standing and demanding everyone quiet down.
“I just wanted to say thank you all for being here tonight.” He is already slurring his words, much to Katrina’s muted chagrin.
“It’s his second toast, isn’t it?” Asher mutters.
“And I just wanted to say how lucky I am to be married to this beautiful, bright woman,” Terrence adds, wobbling slightly on his own two feet. “You look hot, baby, like, smoking hot.”
“Thank you, my love,” Katrina flatly replies. “Why don’t you sit down? The food is getting cold.”
“Fuck the food!” Terrence quips and laughs a little too loud, prompting some scowls and gasps from the guests. “I’m celebrating here. My wedding day! I got married, folks! I’m offTheNY TimesMost Eligible Bachelors List!”
Cole shakes his head slowly. “No such thing.”
“He meant theNew York Post, but he’s too drunk,” Asher chuckles dryly.
In the meantime, Jamie works through his double serving of fancy shrimp and black squid ink rice, washing each bite down with a generous gulp of water while watching Terrence make a fool of himself in front of almost a thousand guests.
“I am a lucky son of a bitch, right? Oh, sorry, Mom.” He cracks himself up, laughing loudly again, while Sheila struggles to get him back in his seat.
“You’ve had enough, honey, let’s eat.”
“No, hold on, I’m not done yet!” he snaps and pushes her away.
Sheila falls back in her chair, red-faced and livid. Katrina’s eyes are wide, glossy, and round with horror as Terrence continues his drunken spiel.
“Cole, you’d better get him to sit his ass down before he makes a mockery of the entire family,” Asher advises.
A strange sound coming from Jamie makes me look to my right.
“Jamie?” I ask.
He’s as white as a sheet. His mouth is open, his eyelids drooping. Sweat blooms across his face. “I think… I think…”
“Jamie!” I cry out, unsure how to help him.
He faints and face-plants into his plate, frothing at the mouth and convulsing at the same time. I scream and jump out of my seat. Asher and Toby rush to Jamie’s side and get him out of his chair.
“Somebody call 911!” I hear someoneshout.
