“Hey, Gret?” Etta popped her hip out and cocked her head to the side as I turned back to look at her.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for everything. It was very sweet of you to get my dress cleaned and everything. I really appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m happy to help when I can.”
She leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed my grizzly cheek. For a second, I just stared at her. She was breathtaking but off-limits in my mind. She had just been broken up with, thrown into a terrible situation. I needed to respect that but I couldn’t help but be attracted to her.
“Anyway, I am going to say thank you and you’re just going to have to accept my admiration for all of your kindness.”
“I can live with that.”
“You’re going to have to if we’re going to have this whole fake-girlfriend-boyfriend thing work out.”
Etta
I didn’t knowwhat I was expecting when I got off the elevator and walked into Gret’s parents’ penthouse but I was floored. Gorgeous couldn’t do the place justice in any way. It was so cozy but elegant at the same time. The place was packed with everyone dressed to the nines. I was so thankful that Gret had gotten my dress dry cleaned and pressed because I felt like a pauper in my sale-rack evening gown that I had since high school.
“Did I tell you how fantastic you look?” Gret asked as he led me into the apartment.
“At least five times already, but the compliment is always welcomed,” I responded as a little spitfire of a woman decked out in pearls and a jaw dropping gown that would have make Princess Diana jealous rushed for us.
“Gret! Honey! You made it!” she exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around Gret.
“Hey, ma. How could I miss your illustrious Christmas party?” The smile on Gret’s face was infectious as he hugged his mother back.
“You’re right. You can’t. And who is this?” Mrs. Hayes turned to me as her eyes got as wide as the grin taking over her entire face.
“Mom, this is Etta.”
Without warning, she was hugging me while bouncing a bit.
“Etta, it is so nice to meet you!”
“I have heard some many wonderful things about you, Mrs. Hayes. Thank you for having me.”
“Call me Myla, sweetie. Mrs. Hayes is my mother-in-law and she can keep that title. Make yourself at home and have a wonderful time. I have to make the rounds.”
Myla scurried off after a few other guests that had arrived right after we did.
“Your mom is great,” I remarked as I took Gret’s hand.
“That’s definitely a word for her. Want a drink?”
I nodded.
“Mom always has really great champagne. Is that good?”
“Perfect and festive.”
I followed Gret up to the bar where a graying woman with a pixie haircut was pouring drinks. Right when she saw Gret, she stopped dead and sprinted up to him.
“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” she breathed as she hugged him tightly.
“Hey, Aunt Jordan. They have you slaving away like usual I see.”
She pushed him away before getting back behind the bar. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else at one of these shindigs. It’s tradition.”