80 A Surprise Fit for a Queen
“Happy birthday to the queen’ Vera shouted, thrusting a rhinestone-covered sash over my bead before could protest
I looked down at the sparkly fabric now draped across my body. In bold glittering jetters it read Im the Ting Queen
“Vera” I gasped, half-laughing, half-mortified I can’t wear this in public
“You absolutn
an and von absolutely will,” she declared adjusting the sash to sit perlects on ss my chest Tonight isn’t about being polite or proper It’s about
elebrating YOU
The private room at Enigma was transformed. A giant banner hung across one wall proclaiming “HAZEL SHAW #1 BEAUTY AND BOSS Balloons in silver and gold filled
orner, and champagne bottles glittered under the dim lighting.
Stenha approached with a champagne flute Drink up, birthday girl The night is young and so are we
“I can’t believe you all did this” I said, taking the glass and looking around at the elaborate decorations
Sandro appear
beside me her eyes gleaming with excitement Oh honey, you
haven’t seen anything yet. This is just the warm-up.
Vera clinked ber glass against une “After everything you’ve been through this month.
deserve a celebration ht for royalty. And trust me I’ve got a surprise coming that will nuke you forget that scumbag ex ever existed
I’m almost afraid to ask replied taking a sip of the bubbly liquid.
Ta’s smalte turned muschievous. You should be
Musu pamped through the speakers, the bass vitrating through my chest. For the Tirsa tow to weeks left ptg unburdenal Herr suritnded by friends who
1
ely and about in Alistairs betrayal seemed distamake a hadido am fading in the forming light
We were twat rougher second round of drinks when a sharp knock cabs at th
door Vera’s face lit up
“Right on une” she sang, practically skipping to the door
She thong it open with dramatic flair and stepped aside. Six young men filed in each
more handsome than the last. They wore matching black pants and bow ties with
white dress shirts, then sleeves rolled up to reveal toned forearms
“What is happening?” I whispered to Sandra
“Just enjoy she whispered back, grinning widely.
The mer Helipun tront of me. The first stepped forward with a flourish, presenting
A massive bouquet of red roses
“For the queen he announced, his voice deep and smooth.
The second man approached, holding a sparkling tiara on a velvet cushion. With carefus movements, he placed it on my head.
A crown for Her Majesty he declared.
My cheeks burned hot as the remaining men surrounded me, breaking into a perfectly harmonized rendition of “Happy Birthday The last man wheeled in an enormous cake three tiers of white frosting decorated with edible gold Jeal
200 my god breathed corn between embarrassment and delight
When they finished singing, all six men dropped to one knee before me, heads bowed in theatrowl submission
sahe at your service tonight, Queen Hazel the tallest one said, looking up at me though Thurk lashes
Vera appeared at us sade looking immensely pleased with herself “What do you think
awwar dhday Certainment?
You re ma
laughed adjusting my hard “Completely and urterly insane.
Maybe she creden
Barbell me you don t ferf like absolute royalty right now
Stazhug these with my ridiculous sash and
sucromaled by
interdly nowing to ine (e powertop Desired by control.
These six lovely gentlemen will be serving drinks, cutting cake, and generally doing whatever you command for the next three hours.” Vera continued
Consider them
your roval court
Sienna raised her glass. “To Queen Hazel! May she always be surrounded by men who worship the ground she walks on-unlike that worthless piece of trash who didn’t know what he had.”
To Queen Hazel!” everyone chorused.
The night dissolved into a blur of laughter, music, and dancing. The “royal court” proved to besexellent company, keeping our glasses filled and entertaining us with stones and jokes. Two hours in, I lost count of how many drinks I’d had, but I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so free.
Admit it” Vera shouted over the music as we danced. “This is way better than moping over Alistair!”
A million times better! I shouted back, twirling under the disco lights.
“You deserve men who treat you like the queen you are,” she said, grabbing my hands. “Not someone who throws away six years for a manipulative bitch with a sob story.
The mention of Ivy briefly dimmed my mood, but I pushed the thought away. Tonight wasn’t about them. It was about reclaiming my happiness, my worth
As the night went on, the party grew rowdier. Vera convinced one of the guys to give Sandra a a piggyback ride around the room Sienna was teaching another the choreography Toca popular dance trend. I sat on a plush couch, crown slightly askew watching my friends with affection
Ready for cake, Your Majesty One of the men appeared before me, offering his hand.
allowed him to lead me to the cake table where everyone gathered around The candles were lil casting a warm glow across the frosting 1 picked up the knife ready to make the first cut
Watt! Vershorted suddenly appearing at my side. Her eyes were slightly unfocused from the alcobot but her vinile was radiant. “We can’t cut the cake ver Thea
more person coming
frowned, glancing around the toum “Who else did you meite
Ilser, she said with a cryptic smile. They should be here any
A sharp knock at the door cut her off
Perfect Timing” Vera exclaimed, clapping her hands together excitedly
The room fell silent, all eves turning toward the door Even in my tipsy state I felt a futter vil anticipation in my stomach. Who could it be? The intensity of Vera’s citement suggested this was the main event, the big surprise she’d been hinting at all right
The knocking came again, more insistent this time.
Well? Sandra called out “Aren’t you going to open it?
Vera looked at me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Hazel should do the honors. It’s her surprise after all”
stoor slightly unsteady in my heels, and made my way to the door. The sash sparkled under the lights and felt the weight of the tiara on my head-ridiculous accessories that somehow made me feel powerful Whoever was on the other side of that door. 1 would face them as a queen, not as the heartbroken woman I’d been just weeks ago
With a deep breath. I reached for the handle and pulled the door open.
