When the driver and I got to the house, I was surprised to find Mick and Jaxon still there.
“Well, don’t you look like a million bucks,” Mick said as he walked toward me from his truck.
“Thanks,” I said. “What do you think of the tie? Is it too, I don’t know, trendy?”
Mick looked at me like a deer in headlights. “Uhhhh . . . aren’t all tuxedo ties the same?”
“That’s what I said,” I answered, wondering for the umpteenth time if the stylist had duped me into buying something I already had.
“What are you guys doing after the gala?” Mick asked innocently as we walked up the walkway together. I should have recovered better than I did, but his question threw me off guard.
“Um, we’re uh, I mean . . . ,” I stammered.
Mick turned to look at me and saw me struggling. “Ooooh,” he said with his eyebrows raised. ‘Well, um . . . good for you,” he said, patting me on the shoulder. The conversation had turned very awkward, very fast. Fortunately for us, Jaxon had seen us both coming and threw the door open.
“Jason! Pee-paw!” he yelled, lunging at both of us. He got to Mick first and hugged him, then somehow wiggled out of Mick’s arms into mine without ever touching the ground.
“Hey, Mick!” I heard Addison yell down the hallway. “Thank goodness you’re here! Can you come help me for a minute?”
He looked at me and I shrugged. “You’re the married one. I don’t know what women do in there.”
He tousled Jaxon’s hair and walked down the hall, leaving Jaxon and me alone.
“Are you taking my mom on a date?” Jaxon asked with a serious expression on his face.
“I would like to,” I said, pulling out a chair in the small dining room on the right and sitting down. “But I need to ask your permission first, I suppose.”
“How come?” he asked, his brows furrowed.
“Well,” I said, rubbing my chin, “when a man likes a woman and wants to take her on a date, he should always ask her father first. Do you know who your mom’s father is?”
“Yeah,” Jaxon said excitedly. “He’s my grandpa. He lives in Kansas. Did you know it snows in Kansas?”
“I did know that,” I said. “Kansas is really far away so I can’t ask your grandpa if I can take your mom on a date. But you’re here and you’re the man of the house. So I’m asking you instead. Jaxon,” I said with a serious look on my face, “may I please have permission to take your mom on a date?”
Jax looked like he was thinking really hard about his answer. “Are you gonna kiss her?”
I laughed. “I probably will. But I will make sure she says it’s ok before I do it.”
“Ok, Jason,” he said. “You can take my mom on a date.”
I smiled. “Thanks buddy.”
Mick came back into the room carrying a small overnight bag. “I think I’m supposed to give this to you,” he said.
“Why do you have a smirk on your face?” I asked.
“You think I embarrassed you outside,” he said, “you should have seen Addison’s face when she found out you were here and I offered to put her overnight bag in your car.”
“I’m glad you are enjoying this so much,” I said sarcastically as he made his way out the door. As it shut behind him, Addison turned the corner from the hallway. And my jaw hit the floor.
“I . . . I . . . You . . . ,” I stammered as I took her in.
“You like it?” she asked shyly, turning in a slow circle.
She was breathtaking. Her dress was a shade of royal blue, floor length. It was fitted from the top all the way to the middle of her thighs where it flared out just slightly, showing off all her curves. It was sleeveless and the front went all the way up to her collarbone, and there was a triangular cutout on her chest that showed off just a hint of cleavage. Her hair was pulled up into a messy ponytail. It was all wavy down her back and poufy in the right places. She was perfect.
“Mommy, you look beauuuuuutiful,” Jaxon said with his eyes wide.
“Uh huh,” I agreed, still staring and trying to figure out what words were and how to use them.
“Well,” she said, “it helped that the lady at Lord and Taylor had your credit card number.”
“It was the best money I’ve ever spent,” I said, figuring out how to speak again as I stood up and walked toward her. “You are . . . wow.” It seemed like the best sentiment. Addison giggled.
“So it’s ok for tonight?” she asked as Mick walked in the door.
“It’s perfect,” I said, grabbing her hand in mine. “You are perfect. I kind of want to skip the gala now.”