Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 61591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
Hal, the fitness nut of the group, perked up at that. “Really?”
“Yup, starting tomorrow. This weekend is just for friends and family. Ever’s calling it a soft opening. Then the grand opening is Monday. It’s probably going to be crowded, but Ever capped the number of memberships to make sure it wouldn’t run over capacity.”
Lark and Dylan thanked us, and Embry beamed at me and exclaimed, “I feel so special!”
“You are.” I gestured at the reception counter. “Come on in, and be sure to grab a gift bag. Then help yourselves to some drinks and appetizers and look around. I see some more VIPs out front, so I’m going to go say hello. But I’ll come find you soon.”
Vee slapped my back on the way by and leaned in to tell me, “You’re killing this host thing, my friend. I’m proud of you.” That was nice to hear.
My second group of VIPs was just as special as the first. I went outside and greeted the kids from the shelter with, “Hey, gang! I’m so glad you made it!”
All but three of the residents had arrived in a group, and their expressions ranged from excited to nervous. “Thanks for inviting us, and for sending the ride shares. We wanted to come out and support you and Ever,” Leah, a twenty-year-old with pink hair, said. “But like, we were expecting a party in a gym. This is super fancy.”
Shy, eighteen-year-old Joaquin muttered, “I’m not sure we belong here.”
“Of course you do,” I told him. “You’re as good as anybody here. Better, even. And tonight, you’re our VIP guests. That means you’re the most important people at this party. Now come with me, because Ever and I have some gifts for you.” That enticed even the shiest among them to follow me into the lobby.
I stepped behind the reception desk and started pulling out gift bags with each resident’s first name on them. As I passed the bags around, I said, “Each of these contains an EverFit T-shirt and sweatshirt in your size, along with a gold-level lifetime membership card with your name on it. Can I give you the bags for our friends who didn’t make it?”
Leah nodded. “I’ll make sure they get them.”
“Thanks. Be sure to take one of the blue bags, too. They contain some fun swag, like water bottles and baseball caps.”
The kids eagerly collected a second set of gift bags, and I asked, “Are you hungry? There are plenty of snacks and nonalcoholic drinks. I’ve heard good things about the gazpacho shooters.”
Joaquin frowned and said, “I have no idea what that is.”
“Me neither,” I said with a smile, as I offered him my arm. “Want to go find out together?” He grinned and linked his arm with mine, and we headed into the party.
Ever joined us a moment later and exclaimed, “I’m so glad you’re here! Looks like Tracy got you hooked up with your swag.”
Several of the kids thanked him, and then one of them exclaimed, “Look at the tiny, pretty food!”
Ever and I both grinned as all of them hurried to the lavish display of fancy appetizers. Then River came up to us and asked, “How does everything look?”
“Sensational,” Ever said, and I nodded in agreement.
I told him, “See those young people with the gold gift bags? They’re our special guests. Will you please tell them—and me—what each of those dishes are, including the gazpacho shooters?”
“Totally!” River’s face lit up. He loved talking about food.
Ever and I hung out with the kids for a while, and once we were sure they were comfortable, he pulled me aside and squeezed my hand. “I’m so glad they decided to come,” he said. “It’s like watching my world and yours weave together.”
It really felt like that.
A couple of hours later, the party was jumping. The DJ was playing 1980s pop songs, and a lot of people were dancing. I was glad to see all my kids laughing and dancing together in a big group, including Joaquin.
When Vee and I crossed paths, he flashed me a huge smile. “This is the first time I’ve seen you last longer than fifteen minutes at a party. I’d have expected you to be tucked away in a quiet corner with a book by now.”
“Not tonight, because it’s all about that beautiful, amazing man, right over there.” I gestured at Ever across the room, and he caught my gaze and smiled at me. “He’s worked so hard to make this happen, and I plan to be right here supporting him, every step of the way.”
Vee said, “It sounds like you’re talking about more than just this party.”
“I am.”
Ever and I met in the center of the room a few minutes later, and he asked, “What’s your opinion on PDA?”
“I’m all for public displays of affection, when you’re involved.”