Anyway, this year I invite Dee along for the ride-the office party and the after-festivities. I haven't hung out with the guys in more than two weeks. It happens that way sometimes. When a kid gets a new shiny toy for Christmas, the last thing he wants to do is let his friends play with it. He hordes it, hibernates with it, keeps it to himself, maybe even sleeps with it under his pillow. Then, after a week or two-he'll let someone else have a turn.

Not that Jack or Drew are going to have a frigging "turn" with Dee the way they'd probably like-but it's time to bring her around. Let her get to know the boys so they can see she's a cool kind of girlfriend. The kind that plays darts and shoots pool and doesn't put a damper on the good times.

I call Dee's cell from outside her apartment building so I don't have to search for a parking spot for my bike. Then I smoke a cigarette while I wait for her to come down. When she exits the building, I smile appreciatively at her outfit. Black satin pants hug her legs so tightly, they look like they're painted on. Hot-pink stilettos match her halter top, and she carries a short black jacket in her hand. Her hair is pinned up and curled, drawing attention to the diamond necklace that falls just above her cleavage.

"Nice necklace," I tell her as I hand her a helmet.

She shrugs. "Junk jewelry from QVC."

I make a mental note to get her a real one. And the image of Delores dripping in diamonds-and nothing else-brings a leer to my face and a b.o.n.e.r to my pants.

She puts on the helmet but doesn't climb on the Ducati right away. She stands on the sidewalk, hands on her hips, looking thoughtfully at it.

"What would you say if I said I wanted to drive your motorcycle to the party?"

"I'd say you're s.h.i.t out of luck. I don't ride b.i.t.c.h."

She knocks me upside the head-but my helmet softens the blow.

"Then let me take it for a ride myself. Just around the block."

"I . . . don't think so."

She pouts.

I sigh. "Have you ever driven a motorcycle before?"

"No, but I've always wanted to."

"Well, I've always wanted to fly, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna strap on a squirrel suit and skydive from the G.o.dd.a.m.n Empire State Building."

She steps closer and rubs her placating hands up my chest. "Come on, please? I'll be really careful and grateful. Really grateful. Like . . . deviantly, let you handcuff me to the bed kind of grateful."

Forget the national broadcast system-this is the test.

Am I going to stick to my man-guns, keep my pride, and protect my cherished vehicle from almost certain carnage? Or, am I going to be ruled by my d.i.c.k and swayed by the promise of kinky, have-Dee-at-my-mercy-all-night-long s.e.x?

No contest.

"Riding b.i.t.c.h it is."

I slide back in the seat so she has room to climb on in front of me. Then I show her the clutch, the gas, and-most importantly-the brake.

You know that saying about your life flashing in front of your eyes before you die?

By the time we make it to the office building, I can say-without a shred of doubt-it's totally f.u.c.king real.

I saw my whole life laid out before me. Three times.

Once for the bus Dee veered in front of. Once for the garbage cans she took out like bowling pins, and once for the cab that almost knocked us sideways.

Although, that last one wasn't totally Delores's fault. New York cabbies are f.u.c.king crazy-they'll take you out without blinking an eye and won't even check the rearview mirror to make sure you're dead.

Leaving my bike safely in the parking deck, Dee and I walk hand in hand into the large, festively decorated conference room. Cla.s.sic, upbeat music emanates from the DJ's speakers stationed in one corner, mouthwatering aromas waft from the buffet table along one wall, and the sounds of chatter and laughter fill the room.

John Evans is good at many things-but throwing a great party is at the top of that list.

I make the rounds with Dee, introducing her to my coworkers, my executive a.s.sistant. We get some drinks from the bar and hang out with Jack O'Shay, who gives us the toned-down version of his latest weekend exploits. I spot my parents across the room-as we head in their direction, Jack catches my eye, points to Dee, and gives me a thumbs-up.

My mother's pet.i.te-more than a foot shorter than my father who, even now in his later years, stands at six foot two. She's getting on in years, her poofy light brown hair is a bit grayer since the last time I saw her. But her eyes-the same hazel color as my own-still sparkle with the lively sweetness they've always had.

She was a true debutante, raised to be elegant, poised . . . and silent.

Legend has it, she met my father when he crashed her coming-out party, and there was an instant infatuation. He was rowdy in those days-a partier-but he was captivated by her calm serenity. She was helplessly attracted to his pa.s.sion. And despite my grandfather's threat to disown her, they eloped four weeks to the day after they met.

My mother doesn't have a mean bone in her body. She's soft, virtuous. Her voice is naturally quiet-almost lyrical, like Jackie Kennedy in those historical White House interviews. My father has always been brutally protective of her, and there is nothing-nothing-I remember her ever asking for that he didn't immediately provide.

My father greets me with a handshake. "Son."

"Hey, Dad."

Dee stands beside me as I get a hug from my mom. "Darling."

Introducing a girl to your parents can be stressful, particularly if your mother is one of those overly critical, judgmental, no-one-is-good-enough-for-my-boy types. My college roommate's mother was like that. She cut his girlfriend to pieces for wearing white frigging shorts after Labor Day. Needless to say, she wasn't his girlfriend for long after that.

But my parents are easy. My dad, in particular, knows I'm not a saint. He thinks that if I can find a woman willing to put up with me, that's good enough for him. My mom just wants me to be happy. Her definition of happy is married with 2.5 children and a family pet. Any chick who can make that happen will be welcomed into the family with open arms.

If she's able to persuade me to sell my motorcycle-she'll be extra adored.

"Mom, Dad, this is Delores Warren."

Delores smiles brightly. "It's so nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher."

My father nods. "Likewise."

My mother comments, "Those are adorable shoes, Delores."

"Thank you. They're my latest favorite pair-and a lot more comfortable than they look. I can even dance in them and they don't pinch a bit."

"Are you a dancer, dear?" my mother asks.

"Not professionally."

"When I was your age, I loved to dance. I would make Frank take me every chance we had."

Since Dee's gla.s.s is almost empty, I take the opportunity to get us both refills from the bar. I see Kate Brooks walk in and recognize the guy standing next to her as Delores's cousin, from the pictures in her apartment.

I hand Dee her fresh drink, and when there's a lull in her and my mother's conversation, I tell her, "Your cousin and Kate just walked in."

My mom excuses us with, "It was nice meeting you, dear. I hope to see you again soon."

"Same here," Dee says warmly.

As we walk through the crowd she tells me, "We should take your mom out dancing sometime. I can tell there's a twerker inside her just waiting to bust out."

"Bust out or bust her hip?" I chuckle.

We reach Kate and Billy, and Delores introduces me to her cousin. He gives me a firm handshake. "Good to meet you, man."

I nod. And Delores teases her cousin. "Kate finally got you into a suit, huh? It looks good-never thought you'd clean up so nice."

He pulls at his collar uncomfortably. "Don't get used to it. The only way this thing's coming back out of the closet is if I've got a funeral to go to."

Kate rolls her eyes. Then John Evans joins us. Introductions are made and we talk shop for a few minutes. I see Drew across the room, making his way over to us. Having known him since birth, I'm kind of an expert on reading his facial expressions-even the ones he tries to cover. At the moment, he's p.i.s.sed. Royally.

Not entirely sure what it's about. He and Kate lost Saul Anderson-the client they were both aiming for-a few weeks back. Although his old man was disgruntled, Drew was inordinately pleased with himself for telling the b.a.s.t.a.r.d off, so I know it's not that. He was also able to smooth things over with his father, so that can't be what has him riled either. For a second I consider that maybe seeing Kate-the first woman I know of who has shot him down-here with her fiance could be what's got him all hot under the collar.

But I discount that as soon as I think of it. Drew's possessive of his car, his clients-not women. He doesn't do jealousy any more than he does relationships. So I just can't imagine him getting upset that a chick he wants to nail is nailing somebody else. Even a woman as attractive as Kate Brooks.

"Drew!" his father greets him. "I was just telling Mr. Warren about that deal Kate closed last week. How lucky we are to have her."

"It's all an act," Delores goads. "Beneath her corporate suit and that good-girl persona beats the heart of a true rebel. I could tell you stories about Katie that would put hair on your eyeb.a.l.l.s."

Kate shoots Delores a warning glower. "Thank you, Dee. Please don't."

Billy chuckles and puts his arm possessively around Kate's waist.

Drew frowns. And although he's joking, his words are cutting.

"That's right. You were quite the little delinquent back in the day, weren't you, Kate? Dad, did you know she used to sing in a band? That's how you supported yourself through business school, right? Guess it beats pole dancing."

Dee looks sharply at Drew-obviously not appreciating his tone.

Kate coughs. Drew hands her a napkin, chivalrously. But then directs his lethal wit at Warren. "And Billy here, that's what he still does. You're a musician, right?"

"That's right," Billy answers.

"So, tell us, Billy, are you like a Bret Michaels kind of rocker? Or more of a Vanilla Ice?"

"Neither."

"Why don't you grab your accordion, or whatever you play, and pop up onstage? There's a lot of money floating around this room. Maybe you could book a wedding. Or a bar mitzvah."

Billy glares-like he's just dying to knock Drew on his a.s.s. "I don't play those types of venues."

And with his next comment, it seems like Drew is dying for him to try. "Wow. In this economy, I didn't think the poor and jobless could be so picky."

"Listen, you piece of-"

Kate tries to diffuse the tension-like a referee in a ring, breaking up two boxers h.e.l.l-bent on getting a piece of each other. "Billy, honey, could you get me another drink from the bar? I'm almost done with this one." She tugs on Warren's arm.

He huffs. But heads over to the bar anyway.

Then, sounding as livid as Drew looks, Kate says, "Drew, I just remembered I have some doc.u.ments to give you about the Genesis account. They're in my office. Let's go."

"It's a party, Kate," John states jovially. "You should save the work for Monday."

"It'll just take a minute," she tells him with a smile. Then her smile drops as she grabs Drew's arm and drags him away.

While John chats with an a.s.sociate next to him, Dee leans in and tells me quietly, "I don't like how your friend was running his mouth at my cousin-and Kate."

I put my arm around her. "He's just compet.i.tive. It's business-a dog-eat-dog kind of thing."

And I have no doubt Drew would give up his right ball for the chance to eat Kate Brooks.

Dee's not pacified. "If he comes back and decides to be a d.i.c.k again, I'm going to tell him he's risking getting his cut off."

In the weeks since meeting her, I've seen many sides to Delores-carefree, seductive, tender, silly. But this is the first time I've witnessed her protective side. I've got a lot of respect for loyalty. The fact that Dee is so violent about expressing hers is G.o.dd.a.m.n adorable.

I press my lips to the top of her head. "Let's just hope it doesn't come to that."

When Kate and Drew didn't return to the conference room within a couple of minutes, I'm guessing Billy went searching for them. Because ten minutes later, Billy and Kate appear at Dee's side-both looking uncomfortable. Tense. Definitely not happy campers.

Drew doesn't come back to the party at all.

When Jack takes his leave a half hour later, I a.s.sume he and Drew made plans to start bar-hopping early. Given her recent threats against Drew, it's probably not the best night to bring Dee out with the guys after all. So when the office party winds down, Kate, Billy, Dee, and I hit the city together. We walk a few blocks and grab a table at a just-starting-to-get-crowded tavern that's hosting an open mic night on its small stage.

Delores and Kate hara.s.s Billy to sign up to perform. Billy nudges Kate with an elbow. "Sing with me. Like old times."

Kate shakes her head. "No way. My singing days are over. I've hung up the microphone for good."

Although her tone is joking, Warren looks . . . disappointed. Maybe even a little wounded.

After downing our first round of drinks, his name comes up and he takes the stage-borrowing one of the tavern's guitars. He sings a cover of "Here's to Us." I don't remember the name of the original band, but I know their sound leans toward heavy metal and their lead singer is a smoking hot redhead with killer pipes.

And I have to say-I'm pretty frigging impressed with Billy Warren. His guitar playing is really good and his voice is awesome-smooth, with just the right amount of gravel.

Dee raises her gla.s.s, claps, and calls, all while bobbing her head in time to the tune. Kate, however, watches Billy with proud-but serious-eyes. I guess some of the lyrics are kind of sad, in a way. Poignant.

They talk about toasting love, good times, mistakes, and moving on.

Warren hits the last note of the song perfectly, and the whole place erupts in applause. Kate smiles and stands when he comes back to the table, telling Billy he did a great job. I shake his hand and say the same. While Dee goes for the more exuberant approach. "Awesome job, Jacka.s.s!" Then she hugs him until he turns red.

Kate excuses herself to the bathroom. And I turn to Delores. "So . . . I guess your cousin got all the musical genes in the family, huh?"

Billy adds, "I see you've sampled Dee-Dee's singing skills."

"Screw you both-I'm an excellent singer."