Surviving (Surrender 2)
“Enough! You need to leave. I tried to walk you out but then you insulted my friend.” Finn interrupts her and motions out the door.
She looks around embarrassed, but stomps out, throwing me a dirty look. As soon as he shuts the door behind her, Robbie burst out laughing.
“Man, you broke the cardinal rule. Never bring them back to your place. She looks like a clinger.”
“Yeah, I know. Figured out that this morning when she asked me what we were doing today. I really am sorry though, I wanted her gone when y’all got here.”
“Really, Finn? She was skanky. I don’t know much about one-night stands but couldn’t you have picked someone with a better sense of style?” I question him.
“RJ, I wasn’t thinking about her style. I wasn’t thinking too much of anything; I was pretty drunk.”
“Eeewww, please don’t give me any details.”
“Don’t we have a monkey suit to pick out?” He changes the subject.
I nod, and we say goodbye to Tripp who is lying on the sofa. Robbie told me that Tripp will probably nurse his hangover all day. Apparently fight night was a drunk fest.
When we walk into Clyde’s, the attendant’s eyes almost pop out of her head. She looks at Declan, Robbie and Finn and drops her paperwork.
“M-m-may I help you?” she stutters.
I feel sorry for her because she is obviously affected by their good looks. “Yes, my name is Raven Hayes and I made an appointment for some tux fittings today. I confirmed with someone yesterday.”
She is still in a haze. It takes a few seconds, but she regains her composure and pulls a file out.
“Yes, Miss Hayes. I’m Ember; I’ll be helping you. I pulled a few samples for you to choose from, and then I’ll need to get measurements. Once you’ve made your final decision on the style you want and every member of the wedding party has been fitted. I will order them. It shouldn’t be too hard at all.”
“Great, let’s see.”
She leads us to a sitting area and starts pulling sample tuxes for us. I choose two that resemble Declan’s. Robbie and Finn grunt when I ask them try them on so I can make my decision. While they get dressed, I watch Ember fiddle with her notes. She is very pretty with long auburn hair and bright blue eyes. When Finn and Robbie come out of the dressing room her nervousness increases.
I take pictures of them both and compare to Declan’s. He points out the one he likes. When it is time for Ember to get their measurements, I’m not sure she can even write. I offer to help her, and she accepts gratefully. Declan laughs at us, and I direct him to look through the ties.
After we’re done, and Robbie and Finn go back to change, she looks at me with embarrassment.
“Miss Hayes, I’m completely mortified. I have never been so unprofessional, in my life.”
“First off, please call me Raven. And second, don’t apologize. I’m aware how good looking they are. The one with the dark hair is my brother, Robbie.”
When I tell her his name, she blushes. Matchmaking time!!!
“Sparkle, I narrowed it down to two ties for you to choose from. Let’s get this shit done.” Declan yells from the other side of the store.
“And that is my lovely fiancé, Declan Collins.” I smile to Ember and go to him.
Once we make all our choices and fill out the paperwork for the rentals, Ember explains to me the process for getting the other guys to get fitted.
“Ember, do you like music?”
“Yeah, mostly Top 40, but I try to listen to everything.”
“Declan’s in a band and they play tonight. You should come see them. We have a big group of friends together since it’s a holiday weekend.”
“I’m not sure,” she hesitates.
“Think about it. My cell phone is on the paperwork. Call me if you decide to come, and I can meet you out front.”
I give her the details of the bar and go outside the meet the guys waiting on me.