A Lonely Heart's Wish

Eve finds herself contemplating the cheese knife in front of her for the thousandth time as Becky rambles on about how to please a man in the bedroom. She looks up as Fox’s phone goes off, frowning as she sees the other woman’s face turn blank for a moment.  Fox sees her watching and rolls her eyes in exasperation as she continues to talk on the phone.  Becky lifts Eve’s arm again, admiring the way the dress flows down Eve’s body like water.

“I really think he’s gonna love this when he sees it, Eve Honey.” Becky, oblivious to Fox’s conversation and Eve’s concern, rambles on. “I just hope he doesn’t tear it getting it off you.”

“I’m not worried about it, Becky.” Eve doesn’t take her eyes off of Fox. “I’m just glad it fits so well that you can do the last few adjustments now.”

“Pah! I’m just glad to get out of that little town for a few days!” Becky winks at her and checks the sleeve length one last time. “You know how they are! Such gossips!”

“Yes they are that.” Eve tries not to roll her eyes at the irony of one of the biggest town gossips complaining about it. “I’m sure they will be talking about me for a few more weeks to come.”

“Yes, they will for sure, especially since you are getting married. No one thought you’d marry anyone but Justin for the longest time.” Becky grins and steps back away. “But now he’s been seen out and about with this strange woman lately and everyone is wondering where she come from.” Becky winks again. “He picked a hell cat I can tell ya!”

Eve’s lips twitch up as she realizes Becky is talking about Nalyah. “If you thought Justin would be happy with a prim and proper woman, you are sadly mistaken.”

Fox finally closes her phone, leaning wearily back in her chair. “That was David. An unexpected trip has come up and they had to fly out for a day or two. You should be getting a text from Owen soon.”

Eve groans, shoulders sagging. “Really? What the hell?”

“Business trips so often would make me nervous.” Becky shakes her head as she starts to pack up her sewing kit. “There’s too many loose women out there to tempt men away from their wives.”

Eve barely stops herself from commenting about how well Becky knows this as she is one of the loose women. Instead she turns enough to let Fox help her with the buttons along the back of the dress. “Where are they going this time?”

Fox smiles but shakes her head. “All I can say is you’ll find out soon enough.” She pats Eve on the shoulder after opening the last button. “In the meantime, I have somewhere to take you and this makes it easier to keep from Owen.”

Eve narrows her eyes, warily watching Fox. “Do I even want to know?”

“Just get dressed and I’ll show you!” Fox chuckles, tossing Eve’s clothes at her.

Justin waits anxiously outside the concourse for Owen to appear. He had tried his best to quietly get most of his family to the farm and get the baling started again but he was sure the farm was being watched. He glances at his watch again, anxious to get back to the farm before something happens.

“Time doesn’t go any faster by looking at your watch every minute.” David steps around the corner and smiles.

Surprised, Justin smiles back and holds out his hand. “Thanks for coming, Mr. Xanatos. I really didn’t expect you to come with Owen.”

He shakes Justin’s hand. “If you think I’m going to stay away when I can put men like Getties  in their place, you don’t know me very well.”

“So where’s Owen?” Justin glances the way David had comes.

“He’ll be here in a moment.” David chuckles and starts walking towards Justin’s truck. “He’s making sure the jet is secure before bringing our bags.”

“Does Eve know he’s here?” Justin follows only a step behind.

“No” Owen’s voice comes from behind them. “I’d like to keep it that way for a while longer. I am sure she will not approve of what I have planned.”

“And what do you have planned?” Justin climbs into the truck, glancing around to see if they are being watched.

“You’ll see soon enough.”  Owen climbs in next to David, noticing Justin’s wariness. “I’d rather not say until I have talked with everyone involved first.”

“I can understand that.” He pulls out into traffic, eyes scanning as they drive away.

“I do have a question for you.” Owen stares at the traffic behind them through the side mirror.

“Ok.” Justin glances his way for a split second, confused. “What is it?”

“Will you walk Eve down the aisle?” His eyes never stray from the mirror.

“Wait! What?” Justin stammers. “Do you know what you are asking?”

“You are the closest thing she has to family, Justin.” Owen finally looks up at him. “Of course I do.”

“You don’t understand.” Justin glances around, nerves frazzled. “For me to agree would mean you also agree to the ritual that would be involved. I’m not sure you want that.”

“Actually, Justin, he knows all about what would be involved.” David grins. “I can assure you he did all the research needed before bringing the subject up.”

“I would have to ask my family if they would agree to helping.” Justin’s hands slightly relax on the wheel.

“Understood.” Owen’s lips twitch up slightly. “I would expect nothing less.”

“Ok.” Justin sighs and starts to grin. “If they agree, I’ll do it. When do I get to tell her?”

“When you have confirmation from your family. I would hate for you to agree and then have her disappointed that you cannot do it.” Owen glances out the window again and sees a car following them. “Were you followed to the airport as well?”

Justin glances in the rearview mirror. “Damn it! I thought I had gotten there without being seen.”

“Don’t worry.” Owen’s smile widens. “The wards will keep everyone out that is not supposed to be there and I will take care of the rest.”

Eve groans, sliding lower in her seat as Fox pulls into a parking lot. “You can’t be serious.”

Fox grins, shutting the car off and climbing out of the car. “Why not? You know David’s going to bring him to one.”

“But why do I want to be seen in a strip club?” Eve climbs out, her whole body showing resignation. “I’m not into women.”

Fox laughs, rapping at the door to the still closed business. “Well I wasn’t expecting you to just toss your clothes off and grind all over the girls! David wants to give Owen a lap dance and I just thought it would be more fun for him to be blind folded so you could do it instead of someone else. To do that, you need to learn how first.”

The door opens, and a beautiful blonde ushers them inside. “Good point.” Eve looks around, noting several stages throughout the main room. “So what do I need to do first?”

The blonde smiles, leading them to the back. “You need to show me what I have to work with first.” She winks at Eve. “Mrs. Xanatos sent some workout clothes yesterday. I need you to change into them and we’ll go over basic dance moves.”

“Ok.” Eve smiles back. “I think I can do that.”