There Were all The Signs

5. Dinner

    Sam

    "Hey beautiful, you in here?" I hear Sarah calling from the bedroom. I step out of the bathroom and give her a hug.

    "Whoa. Please tell me you are not dressed like that for Miller!"

    I have on a dark navy spaghetti strap dress that has lacy over the boobs, with a deep-v, giving me amble cleavage and right under my bust was see through lacy and then a flowy skirt. If I twirled the skirt would perfectly span out. It was my most favorite dress. My hair was down with big barrel curls in it and my makeup was airbrushed lightly on and I finished the look wih bright red lipstick. I was just putting in some feather earrings when she came in. 

    "No, believe it or not I do like being a girl every once in a while."

    "I know you do sweetie but you look like you are out on the prowl."

    "Maybe I am. But not for Miller, I know he is married. It's just the other day I was getting my ass handed to me by my editor about how I lost sight of what a love story is and I realized that I haven't been with a man physically in two years."

    "Holy s**t, are you serious?"

    "Very! I need to let go and get some action soon. I figured after this dinner when every one comes back here you and I can go out. I need you to be my wing man tonight."

    "Sam, when I first got here I ran into Miller and he insisted that we spend the weekend here. I am sorry but I ended up agreeing to do it. But I swear I will stay with you and I will help you make it through all of this. It just might be a little hard sneaking a man in here especially since we are sharing a room."

    Damn it. I really didn't want to be stuck here twenty four seven. So far it hasn't been awkward except for the occasional death glare of Brittany and her judgmental comments. But I am sure I can get through it if I have at least one girlfriend here that can be on my side. Sarah isn't as tomboy as me but she still will drink a beer over sangria and she enjoys watching football games. 

    "Then we will go back to their place, or we will figure something out. I need to take advantage of this tonight," I wave my hand down my body.

    "Ok girl, let's go get that taken advantage of."

    We exit the room and I can hear people talking at the bottom of the stairs. When we arrive at the bottom Marcus and John are waiting.

    "Hello gentlemen, are you our escorts tonight," Sarah asks in a flirty voice.

    The two guys turn and look our way. They look at Sarah first with her being in front and being the one who spoke I could tell they were both interested. I smiled, my friend was hot with her straight blond hair, bright blue eyes surrounded by thick long lashes. She has on a tight Calvin Klein, red dress, that stopped mid thigh. I have watched guys drool over her for years.

    "John, Marcus, this is my friend Sarah."    

    The boys are still slack jaw but take her hand to kiss. It's like they are in robot mode. Then Sarah walks past them and I emerge from behind her.

    "Holy f**k!" John spits, his eyes going huge. "Sam?"

    "Uh yeah?"

    "Damn you clean up nice. Not that you aren't nice when you aren't cleaned up..I mean not that you're not clean..."

    "Sam I think he is trying to say you look beautiful," Marcus says staring at me with a look of satisfaction on his face. He has already seen me dressed up before so he is at an advantage over John. 

    "What I am trying to say is you s*****d that other teams ass all up and down the field today which turned them on but now..when they see you like that, there are going to be so many men jizzing in their pants tonight."

    I can't help but laugh and Sarah laughs along with me. Marcus is smiling and John is still gawking.     

    "To tell the truth beautiful, I almost jizzed in my pants when I saw you," Sarah says and gives me a wink and licks her lips. Now the guys are both drooling on themselves. 

    "Sarah stop, you might give them a heart attack," I start laughing again. She gives me a pout. "So where is everyone else?"

    "They all headed out already to the restaurant we stayed behind so you could ride with us," Marcus replies having recovered first.

    "Well let's go then," I say grabbing Sarah's hand and walking out the door with her. 

    Five minutes later we arrive at the restaurant and Marcus opens the door for us. I excuse myself and head to the bathroom with Sarah in tow.

    "You know we don't need to go get you a random hook up. There are two guys out there that would be more than willing to step up to the plate."

    "Oh Marcus has made it quite clear that he is more than ready to but he is Miller's cousin and I have known John longer than you. It's just I don't want to mess around with my best friends family. If the relationship didn't work out then Miller would have to take sides. I don't want to lose him when he chooses family."

    "Whoa lady, who said anything about a relationship? We were talking about a one night stand to knock the cobwebs off."

    "Yeah because that wouldn't be at all embarrassing when you run into your one night stand in the future."

    "Who knows maybe you can become s*x buddies. No relationship just random hook ups."

    I roll my eyes at her in the mirror and make sure my hair and lipstick look good and then I wash my hands. I mull over what she is saying and she might have a point. At least with this group of guys I know they are safe. I know they aren't going to murder me if I go home with one of them. But I will have to feel a spark. I can't just make myself be sexually attracted to someone. 

    "What about you? I think they would both jump at the chance to praise your body as well."

    "Hey I would be willing to take whichever you don't want. They are both hot."

    Sarah has always been more sexually promiscuous than I am. "Ok tiger, let's get back out there so you can meet the rest of them."

    The restaurant is fancy, one of those that have crystal chandlers and white linen cloths with fancy centerpieces. I have the feeling everything on the menu will be outrageously priced. Miller's family always had money but when they moved out to Texas they made way more than before. It allowed them to have the cabin and other properties around the U.S. 

    "There they are," Marcus said as we approached. I see that he saved me a seat by him and Sarah a seat next to me and John. Looks like Marcus decided who would be paired up today. Next to Marcus is Tim, Kurt and Mike and on the other side of the table with their backs to us was Miller, Brittany, Miller's parents, two of Brittany's friends and who I assume is Liam. Miller's parents look back to see us coming but no one else does.

    As we are rounding the table Mrs. Miller says, "Sam, Sarah you two look lovely tonight." Once we are behind our seats I smile at her and say thank you.

    Marcus and John stand up and pull our seats out for us and then scoot us in. I lay my napkin on my lap and look up with a smile on my face at Marcus. I feel Sarah elbow me so I turn to her and she gives me a wide eyed look and grits her teeth as she says, "they are all staring."

    I turn my head to look at the people across from me. I hadn't paid much attention except to Miller's parents since his mom said something to me but now that I am looking, everyone on that side of the table is staring at me slack jawed. Once they see me staring back Mr. Miller clears his throat and they all look away at once.

    "It is endearing how you can walk into a place make everyone speechless and still be so oblivious to the reason why," Marcus whispers in my ear. 

    I lean over and whisper back, "And what would that reason be?"

    "That you are breathtakingly beautiful and at the same time completely humble about it."

    "Believe me most people would not describe me as being breathtaking."

    "Careful Sam, don't let your grace be deceived as ignorance. You brighten up every room you are in, whether you are dressed to the dimes or in gym clothes, your beauty shines through it all."

    "Careful Marcus, your flattery might be mistaken for flirting."

    "Make no mistake Samantha, I am flirting ruthlessly. Did you already forget about our kiss? I wouldn't mind a repeat now that we are all cleaned up and I really wouldn't mind making us both dirty again."

    I can feel the flush rise on my cheeks. Marcus is good at this and he definitely has an affect on me but I keep warning myself that he is Miller's cousin.

    "Just promise me that you won't think of me as Miller's cousin and actually give me a shot, because you are someone that is so intriguing to me."

    "I'll try."

Miller

    I can feel Brittany tense up as soon as Sam is standing in front of us. I look up from talking to my dad and turn to see Sam and Sarah. Sarah is as lovely as I remember her but when my eyes look over to Sam I can not believe that is my best friend standing there. I thought she was lovely the other night at my wedding but it was dark in the reception hall and now she is on full display for us all to gawk at. And I mean everyone is gawking at her.

    "Who is that?" I hear Brittany's friend Danielle ask her other friend Cindy.

    "That's the football girl," Cindy whispers back sounding shocked.

    I can feel heat radiating off of Brittany and I see Marcus lean in to whisper to Sam. After some exchanged banter I see her face turn red and she is smiling at him. I have no doubt he is flirting with her.

    "Well I must say your little friend cleans up and almost passes as a lady," Brittany says to me in what she believes is a whisper. "Looks like she has plenty of these boys attention tonight. Is it common for her to be promiscuous?"

     I let out a small laugh and turn to whisper in my wife's ear, "We grew up best friends but we never really discussed our s*x lives with each other. But from what I know of her I would say no."

    I watch Marcus continue flirting and all of a sudden I am reminiscing again.

    I was sixteen, sitting at my computer on instant messenger and Sam's name pops up as online.

    Miller: Hi Sam.

    Sam: Hey Miller.

    We talked about nothing important for a few minutes and then I ask her:

    Miller: Hey can I ask you a questions?

    Sam: Sure

    Miller: Have you had s*x yet?

    (LONG PAUSE)

    Sam: Did my parents tell you to ask me this?

    Miller: No, I am just curious

    Sam: Yes, I lost my virginity a few months ago.

    Miller: Me too

    I really did and I believe she really did too. But I was surprised that when she said yes I was jealous. I was in a relationship and I was in love. I didn't just have s*x, my girlfriend and I made love. I thought it was a forever relationship, but at the same time some how I thought as Sam as mine and I felt like I had been stabbed in the heart. I knew it was extremely awkward to ask that question and then just stop talking afterwards but I felt heartbreak, real, true heartbreak for the first time.

    I come out of memory lane and everyone is talking to each other and I am happy to see that no one was looking at me wondering where I had traveled off to mentally. Dinner passes without any major drama and all my friends make a little speech about me and how they are going to miss me. It started with my dad making a toast from him and mom and moved to each person. Brittany was next.

    "To my husband. You are the love of my life and I am going to miss you so much while you are gone. Just remember what is waiting for you while you are away." She raises her wine glass and takes a sip. It continues around with best wishes and such and then it is Sam's turn.

    "Ten years I have known you, I have fought with you, I have loved you as my best friend. I watched you grow up I watched you fall in love and I watched you commit yourself to your lovely bride. I have seen you in sorrow, I have seen you with joy and I have seen you be just plain nuts, but I have never seen you be as brave as you are today. You have taken on the ultimate sacrifice for all of us sitting here and for everyone in this country. I have never been more proud to know you and to call you my best friend. You will be in my heart and I pray for your safe journey throughout your trip and your safe return home. To Miller, our hero."

    "Here, here," Everyone at the table says except for Brittany and her friends who I catch shooting daggers at Sam. Everyone else is clinking their wine glasses together and Sam meets my eyes and salutes her glass to me with tears in her eyes and then she takes a sip. I look around the table and I see my parents are looking at her adoringly and they both are crying. Even some of my tougher friends look like they are on the verge of tears.

    I feel proud of myself just knowing they are proud of me. Even though they are saying I am brave I am scared shitless to go over seas but it helps knowing I have such a strong backbone back home waiting for my return.