But it’s the main room that blows me away. It’s basically a carnival. Everything glows in the dark neon lights, and there are girls hanging from swings suspended in the air and guys jumping from pole to pole above us. I’ve never seen anything like it.
I follow Paolo to a round dessert table. A woman is lying across the top of it on her stomach, wearing only a red thong and tiny bikini top. She’s acting as a human serving tray for miniature cupcakes. The cupcakes are sitting on her back, her legs, and even her butt cheeks. She’s got her chin resting in her hands, and she turns to look at Paolo and me.
“I recommend the red velvet ones. They’re sinfully delicious,” she says, blowing us a kiss.
Paolo laughs, then pushes me toward the table. “Looks like we can knock out one of those challenges!”
He holds his phone up while I take baby steps toward the table. People all around me are snatching cupcakes off her and posing for pictures. It’s just a cupcake, I tell myself. And it’s in one of those paper wrappers, so it’s not actually touching her skin.
As awkward as this is, I’m glad Judd issued the challenges, since it’s giving us something to do. But of course, I’ll never tell Judd that.
I turn around to make sure Paolo is getting this. He gives me a thumbs-up. I quickly grab a chocolate cupcake from the small of her back. All of the red velvet ones are on her butt, and I just couldn’t bring myself to touch them, bonus points or not.
I hold up the cupcake and smile at the camera, then shove it in my mouth. I may not want to do these challenges, but there’s no way I’m losing. Judd said if I don’t complete them all, I have to go on a second date with Hundred Hands Harold. Olivia, who was texting on my behalf, made Judd promise to streak down Nonna’s street wearing nothing more than a Santa hat and a smile if I finished his list. Truthfully, we’re all losers in this challenge if I have to witness that.
“One down, nine to go,” Paolo says, laughing. “Seriously, the one I’m looking forward to is watching you spin around a pole. I think I saw one in the heavy-metal room.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying this,” I say as he drags me into another area.
The girl on the table calls after us, “You can come back for seconds anytime!”
Before the night is over, I complete all of the challenges, including participating in a limbo competition, singing onstage with the backup singers in the Motown room, and swing dancing with one of the Elvises. We’ve also filled my timeline with a ton of pics. I have twelve unread messages from Griffin.
We drop down on a bench at the street level, waiting for the valet to bring Paolo’s car back. It’s blissfully quiet up here compared to the party downstairs.
Paolo nudges me with his shoulder. “That was more fun than I thought it would be. Hundred Hands Harold must have been a pretty bad date if you don’t want a repeat.”
I nudge him back. “You have no idea. I can’t believe I agreed to do all of that. It’s so unlike me.”
“I think it’s awesome. And maybe your ex was the one holding you back. Keeping that fun side locked down. I was worried when my little sister’s friend said she wanted to set me up on a date, but this was great.”
My phone dings again and both of us look at the screen. Message thirteen from Griffin.
“And mission accomplished,” Paolo says.
I nod, then look at him. “None of this is going to mess things up with the girl you like, is it?” I really don’t want her to get upset if she sees pictures of us together.
“No, she was here tonight, actually. We talked while you and the Supremes were singing ‘Stop! In the Name of Love.’?” He laughs again. “I explained what was going on, and I think I actually got some brownie points from her for helping you out.”
“Good! I’m glad I could help,” I say. And I mean it. Paolo is a really cool guy. I just hope the girl comes to her senses and snaps him up.
By the time Paolo drops me off at Nonna’s, I’m exhausted. And my feet are killing me.
What I’m not expecting is for Charlie, Wes, and Judd to jump off the porch and break out in a rendition of the song I sang with the Supremes cover band.
“Please don’t tell me I sounded that bad,” I say when they’re done.
Charlie checks his watch and pulls out a piece of paper from his back pocket, then lets out a groan. “Ugh. Uncle Ronnie won the pot tonight.” He starts texting.
“You were awesome,” Judd says. “Especially when you rode that bull sidesaddle. I mean, awesome.”
“Glad I could entertain you,” I say. Truthfully, the challenges made my night.
“Not sure why you’re excited, Judd. This means you lost,” Wes says.
“Seeing me run naked down this street is a win for everyone,” he says.
“Just make sure we have plenty of notice so I can make sure I’m not here,” Charlie answers.
