FIONA

Chapter Nineteen: Replaying The Evening In Her Mind

Fiona was silent on the drive home, lost in her thoughts. She played out the entire night in her mind over and over again. Upon her arrival to the Steak And Fish restaurant with Blaine, the two of them walked over to the bar, where they sat on barstools chatting amongst themselves for a while. She wore a red sleeveless dress, with her right leg crossed over the left, and her left elbow planted on top of her left knee as she leaned on her left wrist. The lower part of her right arm was tucked behind her left elbow, as she leaned in, smiling while listening attentively to Blaine. "This party is terrific. I'm glad for Ren and Claudia. Their engagement has been a long time coming. After all, they had been dating for ten years before Red decided to ask her to marry him," he said while leaning his elbow against the bar, "Barkeep, I'd like a couple of tonic waters with a twist of lemon, please."

"Coming up," said the bartender, grabbing the nozzle, and spraying some tonic water into two glasses, and adding some lemon slices, before presenting them to Blaine and Fiona.

"I'm glad I could be a part of this event to help your friends celebrate," Fiona said, reaching for her tonic water, and taking a sip.

Ren and Claudia came over to join them. Ren had an arm around Claudia when he planted a kiss on her lips.

"I'm so glad the two of you could make it tonight," Claudia laughed, rubbing Ren's back with her right hand, "This guy is the best guy in the world. Take a look at the ring he got me for our engagement," she said as she held out her left hand while waving her ring finger up and down. The ring had one and a half carat diamonds, with one jade, a ruby and a sapphire.

"It's very beautiful," Fiona said, glancing down at the ring.

"Thank you. It was worth every dollar I spent on it. Claudia is one of a kind. So, I had to get a one of a kind ring for a one of a kind woman. I designed it myself. Well, I went over the details for the kind of ring I wanted, with the jeweler," Ren said, holding a beer in his right hand, raising his glass in a toast, "To Claudia, my friends."

Some music was playing in the background.

Blaine grabbed a hold of Fiona's free hand and took her out onto the dance floor.

"But I'm still holding my tonic water," she giggled, as he took the glass from her hand and placed it on top of a nearby table where another couple was sitting,

"Please excuse me, folks. I just have to dance with this lovely lady tonight."

Placing their arms around each other, they pulled in close until Fiona's head was leaning against Blaine's shoulder, with one arm placed around his neck.

When the music stopped, they walked back over to the bar to talk with some other friends. Blaine had his arm around her.

Then, Lindsay showed up on the scene, ruining the entire evening.

Coming back down to reality, Fiona sat in the back seat of Beverley's car, muttering to herself, "The nerve of that woman. Why did she have to come tonight? Who does she think she is?"

"Is everything okay, Fiona," Beverley said while glancing up at her in the mirror, and, then, bringing her focus back to the road.

"I'm just muttering aloud to myself, Beverley," Fiona said, while gazing out at the stores they passed on the drive home. How could Blaine not have told me about having a son with Lindsay? Why was he hiding the truth from me? Clearly, I was a rebound for him. How could he have been so inconsiderate to me? He played me for a fool. That Lindsay girl looked like she was enjoying every moment of my agony. Then, she ran up to him and kissed him in front of me while Beverley was pulling out of the parking space. Blaine had no hesitation about kissing her back. Talk about tacky and in poor taste. What a jerk. Fiona thought to herself, closing her eyes to ease her tension headache brought on by the stress of the night.

"Whatever it is, whatever happened to upset you will pass. But, we'll discuss this at home at length, when you're up to it. Remember, I'm here if you need to talk to me," Beverley said, turning the corner leading to their home.

"Thanks, Beverley, but right now, I just need some time to think," Fiona said, leaning her head back, staring out the window at the night time sky.