The Mobster's Girl

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

A few days after the situation at her apartment, Stella was sitting in the speakeasy, at one of the tables in the room that sat in front of the stage. The girls were taking a break as the band took their smoke break.

Kate, Hazel, and Stella all shared a table, and Kate had been acting odd all day, and behaving as though she had a secret.

"Out with it already," Stella said crossly. "We've had to spend this entire rehearsal with you acting out of character, and I don't want to play your game."

Kate looked at her, a pout on her face.

"Well you're no fun," she huffed. She turned to Hazel and fluttered her eyelashes. "You'll play along, won't you, Haze?"

Hazel frowned, and crossed her arms, mirroring Stella's annoyed expression.

"Usually, yes, but I agree with Stella; you are acting out of character, which is saying a lot, even for you."

Kate said nothing as she brushed her hair out of her face dramatically. Stella and Hazel watched on, impatient looks on their faces. Still, Kate said nothing.

Instead, she dramatically reached for her cigarette tin, which laid on the table in front of her, then flipped it open, and pulled out a cigarette, which she placed between her lips with an exaggerated flourish. With that movement, a glimmer caught Stella's eye, and she immediately stood up and grabbed Kate's left hand, where a large diamond ring rested on her ring finger.

"Get out," Stella shouted, which caused Hazel to stand up and grab Kate's hand out of Stella's grasp. The rest of the dancers who sat around the trio looked at them curiously, their attention focused on the girls.

"Baloney," Stella said again, while Hazel began to tear up out of happiness.

"You're engaged?

Kate nodded excitedly, and Hazel immediately stepped forward and threw herself at her friend, and gave her a large hug, thus pushing Stella out of the way.

Kate had only been dating Peter for perhaps a little more than a month, but Stella knew that if she didn't show her excitement, Kate would be offended, and she couldn't afford another fallout with someone she cared about. Instead, she feigned her excitement, and waited for Kate and Hazel to stop embracing and squealing with excitement, before she gave Kate a hug herself.

Other dancers came up and congratulated Kate, and once they had all gone back to their own business, and Kate had had enough of basking in their congratulations, Kate turned to Stella.

"I know you'll probably think it's too soon, but we love each other, and I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else."

Stella simply shrugged and smiled. "I'm happy for you, Kate, truly."

She leaned in and gave her friend a hug, then pulled away.

Kate looked at her friends excitedly once more.

"I hope you know that I expect you both to be bridesmaids."

Hazel, who had nearly stopped crying, began again, and let out a squeal, then threw herself at Kate again.

"This is the best day ever," she sobbed. "I'm so happy."

Stella was about to voice her happiness as well, but the sound of a door slamming open interrupted her.

"He's crossed the line," Jack roared as he stormed into the room. "I'll fucking kill him. I'll get my hands on him, and I'll fucking kill him, or make him wish that I had."