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She cut through the crowd like Moses parting the Red Sea “You’re la—” She didn’t get the word late out She stared at h heels and hot aped Her eyes widened

A hush fell over the crowd

Aha, success! I’d left them all speechless

“Sorry to be late, Mother,” I said with a smile I couldn’t contain “We lost track of the time” I’m sure there was a sparkle in my eye And I’ood “You rerapher He’s currently got a book on the New York Times Best Seller List”

She didn’t say a word, just continued to stare at me

There was a bit of a commotion in the crowd that had all turned to witness the spectacle I’d created A moment later, Lizzie burst forth, dressed in a pale blue silk suit consisting of a long skirt and a short jacket She wore dias that rivaled the massive rock on her left hand

She took one look at me then turned her attention to our mother “I told you she didn’t read the invitation, Mother” To me, she said, “The attire is country club chic Not Manhattan strip club”

This garnered a few snickers from my relatives and the Corbetts And one chuckle from the devilish man next to me

Heat crept upso a scene th fro because of the backbone I’d finally grown

“This is supposed to be a party, isn’t it?” I pointed out The band was about the only group that hadn’t fallen silent to witness the exchange betweento my date, I said, “Let’s dance”

He grinned at ain”

Then he led me out to the dance floor that was set up in front of a twelve-piece band It took a few ain Michael and I deposited our drinks on a nearby table As he pulled me into his arms, the discussions around us turned ani topic

My heart pounded and ed to ask, “Mission accomplished?”

“And then some”

I bit back a grin “Did you see the looks on their faces? Especially my mother and Lizzie”