A Shattered Glass, My Life Without Her

A Night With Oscar

Varun is retelling a story about a trip he had taken to Goa with his cousins when I hear Melanie greet someone in Italian at her door. I've been jumping a little every time I hear the bell, hoping it might be a special someone I've been expecting. I glance over, unable to see from where I am sitting on the couch.

'Benvenuto belle amiche! Entra. Per favore entra.' Who would Melanie be speaking to in Italian?

'Grazie per'avermi ospitato, Melanie.' There's the sweet voice I had been listening for, I muffle a smile and divert my eyes, in hopes Varun doesn't notice my suddenly distracted state.

When I look back up, I see Varun smirking at me, giving me a wink. 'Go get your girl.' He adds mid-story, before turning his attention to Tim. The smile on my face brightens as I pat Varun's knee, grateful for the permission to abandon his company.

I stand up, looking in the direction of the front door. Melanie, Kat and Ray are chatting, but Iev isn't there with them. Did my ears trick me?

I step over to greet them, Kat and Ray always looking dapper in their casual eveningwear. Melanie and Kat, arm in arm, are laughing about their nearly matching jumpsuits. Ray, in a black sports jacket and bow tie, turns to greet me.

'Hello Dominique! Wonderful to see you again.'

'Hi Ray,' We exchange kisses, one on each cheek. 'You look ready for the Oscars...both of you,' I add with a smile, looking up and down at Kat.

'Hi Dom.' Kat leans over to embrace me as we kiss. She quickly adds, 'Thank you, by the way, for your wonderful birthday gift yesterday. It really made my day.' She smiles, looking a bit lustfully into my eyes. 

For a moment, I thought she had already thanked me for the little rose quartz pendant I gave her before recognizing what she was referring to.

'It was my pleasure, love.' I smile furtively before I redirect, 'Iev, didn't come with you? Is she not feeling well?' I ask a bit disappointed since she happily accepted my invitation the other night.

Kat furrows her brow as if confused. 'Why don't you ask her yourself?' She suggests with a grin, raising her eyes to the room behind me.

I turn around to where I had just come from and standing there fussing with a vase of flowers is Iev. I catch my lead-heavy jaw from dropping. Her hair is fabulously plaited and spiraling around her head. Her neckline is exposed from the top few buttons left undone on her black dress shirt teasing me to peek at her chest. She has a dapper twill jacket easily slung over one shoulder while her snug black jeans and platform boots give her a few more inches, rendering a lean totally-hot rock-star style that I'm not accustomed to seeing. I stand there and gawk.

'Y'know how to pick'em Dom.' Melanie whispers into my ear. I don't have any words. I realize my mouth left open is giving me away. Iev is now staring back at me, her charming dimpled smile adding to her handsome look. She pulls a flower from the vase, fidgeting with it as she strolls over to us. Her smile growing the nearer she gets, her eyes never leaving mine.

'Hi handsome,' I nervously greet her. She doesn't say a word but reaches for my hand instead, bowing slightly to kiss it before presenting the flower to me.

'Fuh you, a lady.' She starts. Her gesture is blowing my mind and I don't even care if everyone is staring at me as my cheeks flush. I reach for Iev's arm to greet her with a kiss, but she leans down instead to whisper in my ear, 'Don't tell, but I stole it from Melanie's arrangement.' I giggle at her adorable statement.

'Thank you, Iev. You look amazing.' I don't shy away from looking her up and down once more, barely believing what I am seeing.

'Woman, how did you manage to do your hair like that?' Melanie chimes in, reminding me we are not alone.