Nick grinned, he never thought Alex could look so gorgeous. "Hey, I um...I'm glad you found a dress."
Alex laughed, "I'll take that as a complement."
"Where are your parents?" Mr. Paine asked
Nick grinned, "They're waiting in the limo."
Alex looked at her parents and then at Nick, "You guys are going to the same benefit aren't you?"
Mr. Paine looked at his daughter, "Oh really?"
Alex looked at her father and then at Nick, "Why do I have the feeling that everyone knew about this but me?"
"Well, I only found out yesterday when Nick called to see if he could ask you." Mr. Paine answered
Alex looked at Nick, "You called and asked."
Nick just nodded sheepishly
"You didn't have to do that."
"Oh yes he did," Mr. Paine said interrupting, "He's a smart boy, and knows how to get on my good side." He added with a grin
"Did B.J. already call?" Nick asked
"You set that up?"
"Well, where else were the twins going to go?"
"Excuse me, but I do believe we gave people waiting for us." Mrs. Paine said opening the door and directing them out.
"Yes, you are right my dear." Mr. Paine said following Nick and Alex out the door
Alex walked out the front door of the hotel to see a black stretch limo, "wow."
Nick grinned for only the hundredth time, "After you." he said opening the door.
Alex got in and scooted over to the far side. Mr. and Mrs. Carter were sitting on the seat opposite, "Well, you look lovely tonight Alex." Mr. Carter said as Mr. and Mrs. Paine got in, "Thank you." Alex replied
The benefit was going to be held downtime so the drive was about 20 minutes. Nick sat next to his mother across from Alex and stared at her. She was too nervous to even notice. When they arrived Mr. and Mrs. Paine exited the limo first. When the door opened Alex saw the flashes of the cameras and the reporters and looked at Nick with horror in her eyes.
He smiled, "I know what you are thinking, and you are wrong. You will do fine."
Mr. and Mrs. Carter got out, "Alex, just smile, you look beautiful."
Alex gave him a weak smile, what have I gotten myself into? It always seems that when Nick's around I'm always doing something stupid, she thought.
Nick got out of the limo and turned to help Alex. As she got out she was almost blinded by the flashes. Nick grasped her hand and led her down the lane of cameras and reporters, "Just smile." he whispered
Alex did smile, she smiled because she thought she was an idiot.
Once inside they were introduced to the mayor, his wife, the governor, and his wife. Alex smiled and shook hands with them following Nick's lead. Then they entered a huge ballroom with at least 70 tables. They were ushered to a table that Mr. and Mrs. Carter were already seated at. Alex looked around for her parents, they were seated at a table on the opposite side. Nick looked at her, she still looked nervous. He smiled and tried to reassure her. Dinner was served and Alex hardly ate anything. Once dessert was served, the orchestra began to play a little louder and several couples got up to dance. Alex about fell over when Mr. Carter asked if she would like to dance. Alex would have given anything to have turned him down, but knowing very well she couldn't do that, excepted. "It would be a shame if someone cut in." Mr. Carter said over his shoulder trying to give his son a hint
Alex followed him on to the ballroom floor, "I have to confess that I can't dance very well." she said a little embarrassed
Mr. Carter chuckled, "It's not that difficult, just follow my lead."
"Nick, why don't you go cut in?" His mother asked back at the table.
"Mom you know I have 2 left feet!" He pleaded
"You really think Alex would care?"
Nick looked at her, and slowly got up from the table. His father had noticed him get up and smiled. Nick walked over, "May I cut in?"
Alex looked up and Mr. Carter stepped back, "Why certainly." Mr. Carter went back to the table and asked his wife if she would like to dance. Nick grinned at Alex, "I can't dance."
Alex laughed, "I've been to one of your concerts and yes you can dance. but if it makes you feel any better, either can I."
The song ended and everyone clapped. Alex had started to turn to go back to the table when her father appeared and asked for the next dance. Alex looked at Nick and then said yes. Nick went back to the table, glad that he wouldn't have to make a fool out of himself anymore.
The dance was only half over when a deep voice asked to cut in, Alex looked up in horror to find that the governor was the owner of the voice. Mr. Paine obliged and stepped back. A million things were running thru Alex's head. She did maintain somewhat of a conversation with the man. He asked her, her name, where she was from, who she was with. They even discussed some politics. She assumed she hadn't done anything wrong, because he even asked for the next dance and Alex excepted.
Maybe this won't turn out to be so bad after all she thought.
