Betting on Love
Will a Derby Day party lead to love?
Hi! Welcome to Brandy’s Breakthroughs! I’m Brandy, the protagonist from ‘Brandy,’ the first book in the “Bliss Bay Romance” series. While I’m happily boo-ed up now, before I met my boyfriend, I had some struggles. And I got stories for days! But through all the situations - and situationships - I learned a lot and grew into the woman that was ready to be in the healthy and happy relationship I’m in now. These are my reflections about life and love with my amazing squad of lady friends. Because breakdowns and breakthroughs happen in the group chat.
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“Now where…is it?” I mumbled as I dug around in the back of my closet. I reached into a department store bag and my fingertips grazed the netted material. There! I pulled the item out with a flourish. It was my navy blue fascinator that I’d purchased on a trip to London. I knew it would eventually come in handy back here in the States! I was headed to a bar for a Derby party with my cousin, Gabby, and her boyfriend, Dev.
As much as I adore my cousin and think her boyfriend is tons of fun, I had grown weary of my status as the third wheel, so I was making an exception. I didn’t want to spend another Saturday night, sulking on my couch, drowning my sorrows, and, one of G’s clients was hosting the exclusive event at an incredible rooftop downtown and I couldn’t resist!
I checked my clock. Eep! I needed to get moving. I pulled on the fun floral dress I’d purchased for the occasion and adjusted the fascinator to not disrupt my voluminous curls. I gave myself a look in the mirror. I see you, girl! I looked good and reminded myself as such. Then, I spritzed some of my favorite perfume, stepped into my stilettos, grabbed my purse, and was out the door, on my way, and feeling good. It was definitely the energy I wanted to take into the party after being in a bit of a winter funk…and drought. I mean, it wasn’t my usual crew or stomping grounds, so the opportunity was ripe for me to meet a handsome and successful stranger watching the race! I could feel the potential in the warm, spring air...
I stepped out of the cab in front of the hot spot, where a line had formed. Given the weather, it was no surprise! I immediately saw Gabby and Dev. They both greeted me with hugs before Gabby ushered us past the line. We took an elevator up to the 12th floor.
When the doors opened, it was like stepping into a little piece of paradise! The expansive space had a modern, sleek lounge vibe. Crisp white couches mixed in with high top tables. Three long bars, each decorated with bouquets of red roses in honor of the event. Those same flowers adorned the photo stations where professional photographers were taking snapshots. A few large TVs showing pre-race coverage were sprinkled throughout. This was magical!
“Thanks for inviting me, G! This is amazing!”
“Of course, of course! Now let’s get some drinks!”
Before we could reach the bar, a server passed by with a tray of elegant flutes filled with bubbly, a favorite for both me and Gabby. We all took a glass and toasted to the evening.
When moments later Gabby’s boss approached, I took that as my opportunity to explore.
“I’ll be back!” I gave her and Dev a wave and walked toward a corner of the bar where I’d seen some activity. There, a gentleman was helping guests place their bets.
“$20 per bet. You’ll randomly draw a slip from this bowl with a horse’s name and hope for the best!” he exclaimed. “Anyone with the winning horse’s name will split the winnings.”
I reached into my purse to find my wallet and a $20 when I felt a presence behind me.
“I’ll take 5,” the voice declared.
I looked up from my purse and now saw the voice’s hand as he handed a folded bill to the gentleman. I followed the hand up the arm and to the face. There was a beautiful specimen of a man with a megawatt smile. I felt myself staring, so I quickly smiled back. “Hi…”
He nodded, “Hi to you, too. I guess we have to pick out these horse’s, huh?”
I’d forgotten about the horses. “Oh yeah. Let’s see!” Damn. My flirting skills are rusty!
He nodded for me to go. I reached into the bowl and pulled out ‘Ascendance.’ He pulled out his 5, which included the same horse. Was the Universe finally throwing me a bone?
“Guess I better cheer extra for Ascendance,” he remarked with a wink.
“I guess so,” I answered. “I mean…if we’re going to be winners, I should know your name, right?” I batted my eyelashes.
“Carter,“ he answered as he offered his hand.
“Brandy.” His touch sent a little tingle down my spine. After all the time it took to get over my ex plus the long, cold, lonely winter, it was nice to feel a little spark.
“Nice to meet you, Brandy. I have to head back over to my friends, but I owe you a drink with our winnings.”
“Sounds good.”
I walked back toward Gabby and Dev trying to get my heart to beat back at its normal pace.
“B! Where’d you sneak off to?” Gab asked as she handed me a mint julep.
“Oh…just over there. Placing my bet!” I held up the slip of paper.
“Fun!” Gabby turned toward Dev. “Babe, can you get us a few?”
“Absolutely!” He gave her a peck on the lips and then walked toward the betting station.
“You were gone a little long, missy!” Gabby knew me far too well. .
“Yeah well…” I took a sip of the drink as I widened my eyes.
“Spill it!”
“Okay so don’t be obvious, but there’s a guy over there,” I nodded my head in the direction of where Carter was now chatting it up with his friends. “Gray suit, pink tie.”
Gabby looked in the direction and clearly spotted Carter by the pleased look on her face. “Very nice. Very nice. So what did he say? What’s the game plan?”
“I mean, it was quick, but he did say when our horse wins he owes me a drink so…that seems like a good sign!”
“Indeed. Indeed.”
Over the course of the next hour or so, Carter and I would steal glances and smiles across the busy bar. Before too long, it was time for the big race! Everyone in the bar crowded around the TVs and cheered for their respective horses.
“Come on Ascendance!” I shouted at the TV.
In the “fastest two minutes in sports,” also known as the slowest two minutes of my life, Ascendance ended up losing…by a nose! Almost, but not quite. Which would also be my experience with Carter. As I turned around to where I’d last seen him and his friends, I caught a glimpse of his back, in that damn sexy gray suit, as he and his friends departed through the doors to somewhere else in the city.
Sigh…I felt a slight tinge of disappointment. But I was no stranger to the disappointment of short lived crushes. But as the Manhattan sky faded from daylight to dusk, I decided to see the positive. Carter wouldn’t be my next great love, but at least I felt like it was possible to connect with a man again. And maybe I was actually, and finally, over Justin. The rest of my evening and summer awaited, so maybe it was time to stop horsing around, saddle up, and bet on me finding real love.
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