The Recruit(78)
‘Holy cow, you girls look fabulous.’ Taylor’s mouth was still open like he wanted to say more but couldn’t remember how to speak.
Anna did look stunning. The emerald green brought out her eyes. Thin straps held up a fitted bodice and skirt and they’d both had their hair done up on top of their heads with soft cascading curls.
‘Well, let’s get this show on the road,’ said Jaz, trying to get everyone to the car. Taylor took Jaz’s arm and had to look up to talk. ‘You are so tall, Jaz.’
‘I know, check out the weapons.’ She hiked up her dress to her knees and showed him the elegant silver shoes.
‘Jasmine, please don’t be doing that all night,’ scoffed her mother. With a sigh, Jaz dropped the material back in place and headed to the car. They hugged their mums goodbye and sat in the back of the Mustang. Some people were going in stretch Hummers but they all agreed the Mustang would do them.
‘Oh my God, I think my mum is wiping away tears,’ said Anna watching out the window.
‘Don’t worry, they will forget all about it by the time they get to the third bottle.’ Jaz leant closer to Anna. ‘I’m so nervous.’
‘Me too.’
They both laughed and for a moment, Jaz forgot about her nerves, until they drove through Dalkeith and arrived at Tawarri, their destination. It was a function centre right on the edge of the Swan River. Green grass and the shimmering river painted a perfect picture.
The guys opened their doors, helped them out, as cold air swirled around Anna’s naked skin as she clung to Taylor’s arm. ‘Wow, how perfect,’ said Anna.
A ‘doof doof’ noise was coming from a pink Hummer that pulled right up to the door of the function centre. The four of them paused and watched Minka and her friends exit with their dates. She strolled through the doors like she was royalty and Jaz and Anna had to stifle laughs.
Minka was still getting more photos taken on the red carpet on the way into the large room. She was in a strapless gold gown, no doubt worth more than a small fortune and probably designed by someone who Jaz had never heard of.
‘Taylor!’ said Minka when she caught sight of him. ‘You look great,’ she smiled as she dragged her very tall date over.
‘Yes, he does,’ said Jaz running her hand over Taylor’s silver tie. She loved rubbing it in, and besides, when she becomes an agent, this part of her life will cease to exist. No more pain-in-her-arse Minka and cronies, instead she will have real life criminals and issues to deal with. Jaz almost wished her last year at school was over. Minka spotted Jaz and then her eyes explodes with green envy.
‘Hi, Minka, great night isn’t it,’ smiled Jaz as she clung to Taylor. ‘Have you finished with your photos? We’d like to get to the dance floor.’ She tried to keep her voice sweet and innocent, just like Minka uses when Taylor’s around. Jaz side-stepped around Minka, taking Taylor with her as they lined up for their photos. Minka grabbed her footballer date and took off towards the drinks table. Jaz hoped the drinks were spiked as she figured Minka would need it.
‘That is so cool,’ said Anna as they looked up at hundreds of tiny lights edged with white silk and chiffon drapes.
‘Yeah, it’s not bad. Worth coming,’ said Jaz as Anna rolled her eyes and pushed her playfully.
‘Com’on, Ricky, let’s check it out.’ Anna grabbed her date’s hand and headed off into the middle of the room with gusto.
‘Anna looks amazing,’ said Taylor over Jaz’s right shoulder before he took her hand. ‘Shall we follow?’
Jaz nodded, feeling like Cinderella as the crowed parted around them. She felt like all eyes were on her. She could only guess what they’d be saying. ‘Why is she with him?’ But Taylor squeezed her hand and whispered, ‘I think I’ve got the hottest date here, look how jealous they all are.’ All of a sudden Jaz didn’t care what anyone thought; hey, she never usually did, why should she start now?
Time spun by fast as they danced the night away. Taylor was teaching Jaz his Funky Chicken and Sprinkler moves when the next song was a slow one. She smiled as Taylor rolled his eyes and motioned her closer.
‘Com’on, partner,’ he said as he put his hands on her hips. Jaz followed suit and put hers on his chest as they side-stepped slowly. She wondered if Anna was putting her dance lessons to good use and searched for her.
Ricky was doing the side-step swing with his arms around Anna awkwardly. In the next second they were lip-to-lip and trying out some major tongue hockey. As first kisses go, it looked kind of sloppy but Jaz cheered internally for Anna and turned back to Taylor to mention it.