Chapter 21
Emily rushed into the women’s bathroom and found Elizabeth sitting on the couch in the lounge area, crying. “Liz, what’s wrong?” she asked, kneeling down in front of her.
Liz sniffed, but didn’t answer her.
“Is it Jason?” Emily asked. She had also noticed the heated conversation he had been having with Carly.
Liz nodded and wiped her eyes. “Did you see them?’
“Yeah, but I don’t think you have to worry. Carly was crying way too much. Whatever they were talking about, she wasn’t happy.”
Liz smiled a little. “Really? Are you sure?”
“Well, I can’t be completely sure, but that’s the way it seemed to me. You know Jason, Liz, he doesn’t cheat, and he wouldn’t leave you for her, especially after she left him for Sonny!” Part of Emily wanted Liz and her brother to break up, because she was sure that Lucky was who Liz was really meant to be with, but at the same time, she couldn’t lie to her.
“I know. I just get kind of paranoid when they’re together.” She looked up and gasped. “Oh God, did I just make a huge scene by running out like that?”
Emily shook her head. “No, you didn’t. If I hadn’t already been watching you, I probably wouldn’t have even noticed. Don’t worry, I don’t think anyone saw.”
~*~
Jason looked up for the table and saw Liz rush out of the room, then watched as Emily followed her. Afraid that she was upset, he got up and hurried out as well.
Carly sighed and wiped her face, then looked over at Sonny. He was still deep in conversation with Alexis, totally oblivious to what was going on around him. She groaned and put her elbows on the table, resting her head in her hands. How had her life become such a mess?
“Is this seat taken?”
Carly looked up and smiled shakily. “Hey, cous. Go ahead, I think he’ll be gone for a while. Looks like we both lost our dates, huh?’
Lucky chuckled as he took Jason’s seat. “Look that way. Who needs them, anyway? Personally, I could have done without this entire evening. Elizabeth and I don’t exactly mix well.”
Carly chuckled, wiping her eyes. “You could have fooled me. I saw the two of you dancing out there earlier. You seemed pretty...mixed...then!”
Lucky rolled his eyes. “It was just a dance, Carly. Don’t read anything more into it.”
She shrugged, looking down at the table. “Well, I guess that’s good, because Jason sure isn’t going to let her go.”
Lucky raised an eyebrow in surprise. “It sounds like you’d like him to do just that. What’s going on, Carly? What happened to Sonny?’
“I don’t know, I just want Jason back. I love him, Lucky.”
Lucky reached across the table and took her hands. “If you really love him, then don’t lose faith in him. If it was meant to be, it will happen. Normally, I would discourage you from chasing after Jason because it’s not very safe, but considering that you’re currently with Sonny, well, it’s kind of a moot point. Plus, I can tell by the look in your eyes that you’re going to fight with everything you have for him. I have to admire that.” He smiled, hoping to reassure her a little.
Carly chuckled and squeezed his hands. “Thanks, you’re sweet. It’s too bad we’re related, huh?”
Lucky laughed. “Don’t go there, Carly. This family is screwed up enough as it is!”
~*~
After washing her face, Liz left the bathroom with Emily behind her. As soon as the door opened, Jason stood up from the chair he had been sitting in. “Liz, are you okay?” he asked, rushing up to her.
Liz sighed, wishing he hadn’t seen her leave like that. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just needed some air.”
“Um, Liz, I’m going to head back to my table, okay?” Emily asked, figuring that since Jason was there, she wouldn’t need her around. Liz nodded, and she hurried out to the main ballroom to rejoin Nikolas.
Jason walked up to Liz, taking her face in his hands. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
She smiled, nodding. “I am now, thanks. Um, how about you?”
“What about me?” he asked, not sure what she meant.
She sighed, wondering why she was even bringing it up. “You and Carly looked pretty serious over there. Is everything okay?”
Jason smiled and pulled her into an embrace. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Don’t worry about Carly. I’m with you, not her.”
But who do you really want to be with? she thought as they made their way back into the ballroom.
“Looks like you lost your seat,” Liz said amusedly as they walked in and saw Lucky and Carly talking, holding each other’s hands. Part of her was happy to have Carly away from Jason, and another part was bothered by them holding hands, although she couldn’t figure out why. After all, they were cousins, it’s not like there was anything romantic going on!
Lucky looked up and saw Jason and Liz watching them. He smiled at Carly. “Our dates are back,” he said sarcastically, patting her hand as he stood up. “Don’t worry, I think this thing is almost over.”
Carly smiled up at him, grateful for his company. “Thanks again, Lucky. It’s good to have you back in town. You’re probably the only Spencer who can stand me.”
“Nah, I’m sure, deep down, my dad likes you too. You’ve got spunk, he’s a sucker for that. Take care of yourself, you’re hanging with some pretty heavy company these days.”
Carly rolled her eyes. “I’ll be fine. Remember, I’ve got bodyguards. Cute ones, too,” she added with a wink.
Lucky laughed and shook his head. “Some things never change, do they? See you around.”
“Bye,” she said, watching him go back to his table. Liz was already sitting down, so as soon as Lucky stood up, Jason made his way back to his seat.
“What was that all about?” he asked, sitting down. Carly smirked at him, back to her old self.
“Why, are you jealous?” she asked. Jason rolled his eyes, knowing he had just walked right into that one.
~*~
“You okay?” Lucky asked, taking his seat across from Liz. She nodded, smiling again.
“Fine. Sorry I snapped at you before. I kind of freaked.”
Lucky chuckled. “There’s an understatement! I take it everything’s back to normal now?”
“Yeah, pretty much,” she said, looking up and meeting his gaze. Their eyes locked.
“Okay, everyone!” Lucy called out from her table. “The evening is officially over. Thank you all for participating, and for your generous donations to the AIDS wing!”
Everyone applauded and got up from their tables, relieved that it was finally over. The announcement had snapped Lucky and Liz out of their mutual trance, and they both quickly stood up. In her hurry, Liz’s heel got caught on the hem of her dress, and she stumbled. Acting quickly, Lucky stepped forward and caught her. She instinctively wrapped her arms around him in order to regain her footing. A strange sensation passed through her body as soon as they made contact, but she wrote it off to the wine she had been drinking earlier.
Liz cleared her throat and looked up at him, “Thanks,” she said softly, having trouble finding her voice.
Lucky shrugged as he slowly let go of her. “No problem.”
They heard someone clearing their throat and looked up. Jason stood there, waiting for Liz, wondering what was going on. “You ready?” he asked, looking at her curiously.
Liz quickly straightened her dress and stepped back. “Yeah, sure, let’s go,” she said, grabbing his arm and following him out of the room, Carly and Sonny close behind.
“You okay, Spence?” Charisma asked with a chuckle from behind him. Lucky spun around to face her and sighed.
“I’m fine, Charisma. Let’s get out of here.” He hurried to the door with Charisma and Rich, then turned to steal a last look at the room before leaving. That had been the most confusing dinner he’d ever had!
