“Um, yeah,” Orchid agreed. “I’ve experienced that firsthand.”
“I like a place whereI’mnot the troublemaker for a change,” Caleb said.
“Thanks for all the votes of confidence,” Phoenix interjected. “We better let you go,” he said to Tish’s mom. “Congrats again.”
She smiled, and turned to a young couple next in line.
“Troublemaker, huh?” Orchid said to Phoenix as they picked up their tented name cards outside the reception hall.
“Have I got stories,” Caleb added.
“That was the old me,” Phoenix said.
As they made their way to a table, several women waved at them. “Tish’s sorority sisters and their spouses,” Phoenix whispered.
“Phoenix!” shouted a freckled redhead, as if he wasn’t already headed directly for her.
“Gail,” he said, leaning in to kiss both cheeks. “I’d like to introduce you to Orchid Paige.”
“Nice to meet you, Orchid.” She turned to Phoenix, curious. “Is this your girlfriend?”
“Definitely not,” Orchid muttered just as Phoenix shook his head. His denial, expected as it was, cut her.
“This is my brother, Caleb.”
Gail studied him from thick hair, to the tips of serpent tattoos showing above his collar, down to his muscular physique. “You have good taste in brothers,” she said, and then extended her hand.
Caleb bowed his head.
They sat, Gail inserting herself in between the Walkers. “Just broke up with my beau,” she offered. The waiter came by to fill glasses next to their salads. “White, please,” Gail and Orchid called. “Red,” Phoenix said. “Both,” declared Caleb.
While Caleb consumed the appetizer, greens and several rolls, Gail questioned him about his barely visible snake tattoos, exclaiming over every new piece of information.
“Oh, you own your own tattoo shops?” she asked, amazed.
“You have how many tattoos?”
“Your motorcycle has the same design on it?”
Phoenix cut the salmon filet with his fork.
Caleb raised one hand for more wine. Gail ate a few bites of crisped spinach and turned to Phoenix. “Tish told me about your accident. How terrible.”
“Yup,” he mumbled, his fork chasing a slippery sphere of oiled potato around his plate. Orchid buttered bread and placed it next to him. He put down his silverware and acknowledged the gesture with a quick hug around her shoulders. If that was the payment for a roll, she’d butter an unending bevy of them so he’d never let her go.
Tish and Tom came by with a flurry of photographers and videographers. In hyper-amped hostess mode, she rapidly exchanged personal dialogue with each guest.
“I’m so happy you came!” she said to Phoenix and then Caleb, as the men stood to kiss her cheek.
“Congratulations,” Caleb said.
Tish hugged Gail. “Best seat in the house,” she winked.
“You remember Orchid, right?” Phoenix said, stepping back from an embrace with the bride.
Up close, Tish’s makeup was running underneath each eye, giving her the appearance of a Raggedy Ann doll dressed in white. They shook hands, assessing each other with unspoken competition.
“Congratulations to you both.” Orchid nodded politely towards Tish and Tom.
