CHAPTER 1
It's the shoes that complete the dress. I chose to go with the strappy ones that criss-cross along the foot and lace up the ankle. The heels are a bit higher than I am used to, but I have worn stilettos before and am confident in my ability to walk in them with grace. I was lucky to find a pair in the same color as my dress. They were red, the same color as the roses in my neighbors' garden. She wins prizes for those roses. She gave me a single white rose to carry with me tonight saying that flowers make the perfect accessory to any formal occasion, and in her words "a white rose with a red dress would look lovely and elegant."
I stood in front of the long mirror in the hall to get a last glance at myself before heading out the door. My dark brown hair gracefully framed my face in long loose curls, which I paid to have professionally done. My dress was long and slightly hugged my figure until about my knees where it flowed freely from there leaving just enough room to show off the tips of my shoes and my freshly manicured toes. The straps came over my shoulders and ran together into a v-neck style in the front. I turned around to makes sure all was well from behind. I have never worn a backless dress before. I felt kind of sexy. Though, considering who my "date" was, sexy wasn't really the goal of the evening.
My companion for the evening was Private First Class Goldhawk, my brother. He was in town for a month and was invited to attend the military ball. My brother, Jared, was a Marine and was very proud of the fact. He looked regal in what he called his "dress blues", a far cry from the little brother I remember who always had food stains on his shirt and could never remember to zip up his fly. He was a handsome guy, and was quite popular with the ladies, especially the ones with colorful reputations. But he bragged that that's the way he liked it and that he never planned on getting married.
I came out of a two year relationship about six months ago. Though I wasn't actively seeking Mr. Right, I also wasn't as closed off to the idea of commitment as my brother was. I buried myself in work and school. I was studying Archeology at the local community college where I also worked. I worked in the cashier office where students would pay their tuition. It was a job. My dream job was to be out in the field discovering new sites and learning about the lives of our ancient ancestors. It seemed like a dream that would require a great deal of hard work and patience, and, like my grandmother always says, knowing the right people.
"Alright sis, quit staring at your ass and let's go." Jared invited me to go with him because he claims I don't get out enough. I believe it also had something to do with wanting to avoid taking one of his random female "friends" then having to dodge comments all night about whether or not she was his girlfriend. When people go to these events, they usually invite their spouse or significant other. I guess he could have gone stag, but it has been a long time since we have seen each other, and we figured this would be fun. Plus he was excited to introduce me to his commanding officers and some of the friends he made. "Ya know, I invited you so you could meet some of my friends. But in that dress, I might have to keep you as far away from those perverts as possible. Would hate to ruin the evening by punching someone in the face for leering at my sister."
"It's not my fault that red is my color." I told him while doing my best runway pose.
"Well just be extra sure to stay clear of Finn, that guy is the biggest pervert of them all!"
"Isn't he your best friend?"
"We're practically brothers." He laughed as he put his elbow out to walk me to the car. He was staying with our father while he was in town, and dad let him borrow the Hyundai for the night. I live with my dad as well. Our mother left us when I was seven and Jared was five. I am twenty eight now and have lived on my own for awhile, and most recently with my ex. But when that relationship ended, I didn't feel like living alone and decided to move back to my hometown to stay with my father for awhile. He was glad to let me move back in, I had a feeling he was kind of lonely himself. Clarkdale was a small town, quiet and peaceful just the way I liked it. My dad's house was near the park in the center of the town which had a big beautiful gazebo that I had always envisioned myself getting married in.... One day. As far as I was concerned, this was the best place to be if you wanted to get away from it all. My brother and I had to leave pretty early to accommodate the two hour drive to Phoenix where the ball was being held.
The ball was held in a big, beautiful building downtown. They did a great job decorating the place for the event. I have never been inside this building before and was amazed at all the beautiful marble floors, marble columns, and a marble stair case. I felt like I was in Cinderella's castle. I firmly hung on to Jared's arm as I did my best to navigate my way down the staircase in my stilettos, that were beginning to feel more like stilts at the moment. I didn't think about the possibility of stairs when I chose these shoes. Jared was busy waving to his buddies from afar and checking out the woman at the bottom of the stairs in the short black dress. I felt I was doing a great job making a graceful entrance until the very last step when I lost my footing. With one hand still clutching my brother, I threw my other hand out to catch my fall, tossing the white rose I was holding in the process. I was barely into the stumbled when I suddenly felt a firm hand grip my side and pull me in. The hand that was meant to break my fall was now pressed up against the chest of the man who caught me. I couldn't help but notice how strong this man felt just by the touch. I looked up to thank him, only to find myself staring into the warmest brown eyes I have ever seen. He had one arm wrapped completely around me and his other hand came up to cover my hand on his chest. The moment felt much longer than it actually was. My trance was broken by my brother, "Geeze Ava, you alright?!"
"Yea, yea, I'm fine." I looked up at the man to say thank you and saw him smiling at me, at which point I began to feel the embarrassment of the situation. With a red face I managed to express my appreciation.
"No worries, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time."
"If only she wore shoes that she knew how to walk in ..." Jared teased. At which point he noticed Finn and the rest of his buddies waving him over from across the room. "Hey, the guys have a table, come on."
I said thank you again as my brother dragged me away. The handsome man nodded and gave me a smile and a short wave as he disappeared into the crowd.
Of course Jared's buddies witnessed my little stumble and, after seeing that all that was hurt was my pride, couldn't help but dole out a little light teasing.
"I like your sister, Goldhawk. Barely down the stairs and she literally throws herself at the first man to walk by." Finn said as walked up and put his arm over my shoulders. "I like a woman who gets right to the point."
"Hands off my sister, Finn!" Jared said in his most protective brother voice.
The two of them continued to egg each other on until they started laughing. Jared introduced me to the group which contained Finn and three other guys. I failed to pay attention to their names because my mind was still on the handsome stranger I ran ... or fell into...
