Stranger Things Have Happened, I Know

Ch 12

Chapter 12

Three weeks later, I found myself, once again, deplaning at LAX. I’d flown out to spend New Years with Dave and I was really excited to see everyone again. I met my driver who took my bags and led me out to another black town car. He opened the door to let me inside, where a very happy Dave was waiting for me with a single rose. I slid across the bench seat to him and he pulled me in for a kiss.

“Thank you for the flower!” I exclaimed.

“Thank you for flying out here!” he replied, mimicking my high-pitched, excited voice. It was 8 pm when we arrived at the house. I quickly unpacked what little I had brought and changed out of my travel clothes. We hopped in the car and headed over to Taylor’s house for a late dinner. Ali just finished putting the kids to bed and she was now mixing up some martini’s. Dave and Taylor headed outside to start the grill.

“Did you work today?” Ali asked as she poured me a drink.

“Yes,” I said.

“You look tired! That’s a long flight after a long day at work,” she said, looking at me sympathetically. “Let’s go sit outside and relax.” She led me outside to a beautiful patio with a gas fire pit. Dave and Taylor were at the outdoor kitchen cooking up some barbeque chicken. I sat down on a chaise lounge and put my feet up, feeling my long day catching up with me.

“What do you guys have planned for this weekend?” Ali asked me.

“I’m not sure, its up to Dave,” I said. He looked over at me hearing his name. I smiled at him. “I don’t care what we do, as long as I’m with him.”

“Aww,” she replied. “That is so sweet!” Dave wandered over and squeezed onto the chaise next to me, slipping his arm around my shoulders.

“What are you girls talking about?” He asked.

“She just said she doesn’t care what you guys do this weekend, as long as she is with you!” Ali relayed. Dave squeezed me to him and kissed my cheek.

“She is the sweetest,” he said as he stood back up and returned to the grill to help Taylor.

“I know that you’re time here with Disco is limited,” she said, using one of Dave’s nicknames, “But I wanted to see if many tomorrow you’d like to go shopping? Maybe find something hot to wear to the New Years party?” I smiled. I know that Dave was really close with The Hawkins and it would be nice if I could get to know them better.

“I’d love that Alison,” I replied, smiling.

“Ok! I am pretty free all weekend, so talk to Dave and let me know a time,” she replied, pleased. We exchanged cell phone numbers.

“Ok girls!” Taylor called, “The chicken is ready!” Ali got up to refill our martini’s and we gathered around the outdoor dining table that the guys had moved closer to the fire pit for warmth. Dinner was great and the company was even better. It was nice to be spending time with another couple. After we’d all finished eating, Alison asked Dave if he would help Taylor move a crib upstairs into the guest room, as her sister was coming to visit next week and they had a newborn. Dave and Taylor disappeared inside and I helped Ali clean up. When we finished, Ali poured us each another drink.

“I have to pee,” I declared. “I will meet you outside, ok?”

“Sounds good!” she replied, getting up from the table and heading back over to the fire pit.  I headed inside to the bathroom. When I'd finished, I washed my hands and reapplied my lip gloss. I let myself out of the bathroom and was heading back to the kitchen when I heard Dave and Taylor’s voices in the kitchen, talking quietly, in the middle of a conversation. I stepped back and pressed myself against the wall.