Page 49 of Roar for Me
The other guys had all coordinated with black tuxedos and black ties.
Britney, wearing a dark purple cocktail dress, approached next. “Everyone’s inside. We need to line up.”
“What’s the order?” Aurora asked Mike.
“It’s going to be Britney, us, then you and Duncan, and then Jen.”
“Aren’t you walking in with Emily?”
“Yeah, she’s coming with Dave and me.”
“And Jerry too,” Dave added.
“Okay, just curious.”
Roar’s earlier words ran through Duncan’s mind.
Then she got the bright idea that the subcommittee groups should all coordinate colors … What I don’t understand is why everyone else went for it … That seems disrespectful to the committee members’ partners.
He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Maybe having your partner ripped away from you too soon made one more sensitive to these things.
“Did you two match a lot?”
“Sometimes … We were cheesy like that.”
“It’s not cheesy. It’s cute.”
He didn’t fight the smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. Whatever Aurora and Jeff had was special. What he’d had with Mariah didn’t even come close. Duncan wondered if he could ever have something like that.
“Our table is in the center,” Britney said, bringing him back to the present. “Look for me when you get in there.”
The DJ boomed. “Welcome, welcome, Class of—”
“Okay guys, this is it! Girls curtsy, boys bow, like when we did bows for musical.” Jen squealed.
“—and please welcome your reunion committee!”
The applause roared as he tucked Aurora’s hand back into his elbow.
“In charge of planning tonight’s meal, Britney Baumann!”
Britney disappeared into the ballroom. Mike, Dave, and their other halves were up.
“In charge of the music, we have David Romero and Michael Adams!”
Dave, Mike, and their partners disappeared as well.
Aurora’s hand held his elbow in a vice gripe. Her posture was stiff and trembling. Was she okay? He’d never been close enough to her before to sense any stage fright. Duncan leaned over.
“Breathe,” he whispered.
She exhaled, forcing herself to relax.
“In charge of your lovely decor tonight, Aurora Brown and Duncan Sullivan!”
More applause.
“Let’s go.”
