“That it is. Jordan, this is Etta. My ga-gi-girlfriend,” Gret spit out the words and turned as red as a beefsteak tomato.
“She’s your what?” Jordan’s hand flew straight over her mouth and I could have sworn that she was tearing up a bit.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I reached out my hand as she glanced back from me to Gret over and over.
Gripping it tightly, Jordan cleared her throat. “It’s about time that Gret found someone so beautiful.”
“Awe, come on. You’re making it sound like I have only dated pigs in the past.”
“I mean, you just have never brought someone home before. I’mso happy right now.”
Right as Gret was about to say something else, we were saved by a couple asking Jordan to make a couple of complicated-sounding cocktails.
Leaning over the bar, Gret grabbed a chilled bottle of champagne and a couple of flutes.
“My dear.” He handed me a glass before popping the bottle and filling it to the brim with bubbles.
“Thank you, good sir.”
“I am sorry if everyone is shocked by me bringing you.” Gret put his hand on my arm as I just smiled at him.
“I think it’s kind of fun to see all of the shocked looks,” I admitted.
“Well, there are going to be tons of them.”
Amanda made her way through the crowd and hugged me right away. “So nice to see you again, Miss Etta.”
“You look gorgeous,” I remarked as I took in her gold sequin dress and adorable black pumps.
“Thank you. Mrs. Hayes gave me this last year and I couldn’t resist.”
“It looks stunning on you.”
Gret hugged her and handed her the spare set of keys to his apartment. “Thank you for helping my girl out earlier.”
“Anything for you, sweetheart.” She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.
“Gretzky!” A man called from the open balcony door.
Gret waved and grabbed my hand. “Ready to meet my dad?”
I chugged down the entire glass of champagne, filled my glass and handed the bottle back to Jordan. “Let’s do this.”
I followed Gret out onto the balcony where a few space heaters were keeping the area nice and toasty.
“Hey, pop.” Gret shook his father’s hand. “This is Etta.”
I felt like I was looking at Gret’s doppelgänger as he grinned at me. “What a lovely surprise. Etta, lovely to meet you. I’m Gavin.”
Then it clicked. I knew who Gret’s father was. Everyone did. He was a legend. I tried to not act like a deer caught in headlights but that is how I felt. Standing there like an idiot, I realized how big of a deal the party I was at actually was.
“You have a magnificent home.” It took way too long for me to respond and that was the best that I could come up with.
“Blame the lady of the house. She has an eye for all that decorating crap. If it was left to me, there’d be a recliner and a big screen in my living room with not much else,” Gavin smiled teasingly before puffing on his cigar.
“Mom did my apartment too. I don’t think I actually had a choice in the matter. I moved in with my place looking like I does now.”
“Well, what do we have here?” another man asked as he walked over to us from the huddle of men standing in a circle enjoying stogies.
