Chapter Fifteen

Richie closed the door and heaved out the breath he had been holding since Nikki had walked in that same door an hour before.  That had gone better than he could have hoped. She totally understood where he was coming from and she told him she was thinking about putting an end to that part of their relationship anyway.  She had met someone interesting she had said and wanted to see what would come of it.

He almost sagged with the relief he felt at her admission.  They had talked a bit more and she assured him that working together wouldn’t be a problem.  He had been worried that she would find it awkward or uncomfortable.  She assured him that they could go on just being friends, designing clothes and making music as if their intimate moments had never happened.  She hugged him at the door and told him she hoped he found what he was looking for, that he shouldn’t settle and that he deserved to be happy.  He just kissed her on the cheek and watched her drive off.

He did not, however, mention that he actually had met someone.  Not because he wanted to hide the fact that he did, but it was so early in its stages, he still wasn’t sure where it was going to end up.  He knew where he wanted it to go, but he just needed to convince Stephanie that that’s where she wanted to be too and that she didn’t have to feel guilty about it.

He paused in front of the sliding glass door to stare out at the back yard.  He knew that’s how she was feeling last weekend when he took her home.  He could read it in her face.  He wanted her to be ready for him, but he also knew that forcing the issue wasn’t the right way to go with her.  She had to come to that decision on her own, but was damn sure going to turn on the charm and make it as hard as possible for her to resist him.   

He glanced at his watch, it was early still.  He could call her.  He had promised he would and he hadn’t all week.  He dug his phone out of his pocket.  Maybe he could convince her to go to dinner with him tonight.  Nothing too fancy, just somewhere causal and quiet; somewhere they could talk.  Dialing through his contacts he pressed a couple of buttons and waited.

~

Trying to find some peace from the guilt and sadness that had plagued her all week, Stephanie dug out her yoga mat and favorite DVD.  She had started taking yoga after the accident. It gave her something else to focus on and she needed that now.  She was in the midst of her routine when her phone rang.  Reaching down she pressed the speaker button so she could continue her work out while she talked.  “Hello?”

“Hi sweetheart.”

His voice made her pulse jump and she nearly lost her balance.  She had been so sure she wasn’t going to hear from him again.  And it still unnerved her a little to be talking to Richie Sambora.  Taking a deep breath she re-centered herself and pasted on a smile.  “Hey you. How are you?”

“I’m good.”  He listened, the music and voice in the background piquing his interest.  “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

She lowered herself to the lotus position and paused the DVD.  “No, I was just finishing up a little yoga.  What’s up?”

Doing his best not to think about her contorting herself into any of a number of positions he closed his eyes and took a breath.  “Tell me you’re not busy tonight.”

Okay she thought, she’d play along.  “I’m not busy tonight.”

“Good.”

She could hear the smile in his voice and could just about see his dimple winking at her through the phone.  “Why is that good?”

He chuckled.  “I’m getting there darlin’.  Do you like sushi?”  He all but crossed his fingers in the hopes that she would say yes.

“Yes, actually, I do.  I’m pretty sure that was a prerequisite for me moving here.  The State of California wouldn’t have let me in or something if I didn’t.”

He laughed.  “California definitely would have missed out if they had turned you away sweetheart.”   He heard her slight gasp before continuing.  “I’ve got a reservation at Zooma Sushi at 8.  Care to join me?”

Her smile softened and her cheeks pinked at his compliment.  Then she heard Catte’s voice in her head.  Let him take you out.  She nodded slightly as she spoke.  “I’d like that.  Should I meet you there?”

“No darlin’” he said.  “I’ll be by to pick you up at 7.  Is that all right?”

She glanced at the clock.  “I’ll be ready.  See you then.”

Hanging up the phone she shut the television off and rolled up her yoga mat before heading upstairs.  Turning on the shower she peeled off her work out clothes and stepped under the hot spray.  She wasn’t going to think about Mark tonight she told herself.  She was going to have a nice dinner with an even nicer man.  It was just dinner after all, no reason to feel guilty about that.  She needed to eat anyway and why do it alone if she didn’t have to?

Stepping out of the shower she rubbed herself with a fluffy towel and smoothed on her lotion before drying her hair.  Stepping back into her room she stood in her closet, trying to figure out what to wear.  Frowning as she looked at her clothes she tightened her towel and headed back downstairs.  Maybe if she could bring up the restaurant website she could get an idea if it was casual or dressy.

Opening up her laptop she found the restaurant.  It looked like a nice, casual, quiet place and the menu looked amazing.  She clicked around for a while longer and then checked her e-mail.  That was a mistake.  There were more than a few from her friends and they all wanted to know why she hadn’t told them about Richie.

“Okay, just one e-mail then I have to get dressed” she told herself.

To:  The Girls
From:  Q
Re:  Richie…

Hey girls, I’m sorry I haven’t been more forthcoming with details, but this, whatever this is, is still all new for me.  Be patient.  I promise I will share when there is something to share.  Right now though, I have to go get dressed. He will be here in half an hour!!

Catte, I took your advice.  I’m letting him take me out.  We’re going to dinner tonight.

Love you all…

Q

Closing the lid on her laptop she raced back up the stairs.  Dressing quickly she managed to fix her hair, get her make up on and was headed back down the stairs with her shoes in hand as the doorbell rang.  Taking a deep, calming breath she pulled her front door open. “Hi Richie.”

He smiled at her and stepped inside.  “Hi yourself” he said, kissing her cheek as he moved past her.  He had to hide a smirk when he heard the thud of one of her shoes hitting the floor.

Feeling her face heat, she dropped her other shoe and stepped into them.  “I just need to grab my jacket and then we can go.”

“No rush, sweetheart.”

In the small hallway she brushed against him as she moved by get to the closet.  Her pulse jumped as her body came in contact with his and the spicy scent of his cologne tickled her senses.  God he smelled good she thought as she pulled her coat from the closet; nothing at all like Mark.   She closed her eyes against the thought.  No, she wasn’t going to do this tonight.  Feeling a tug on the coat in her hand she opened her eyes and found Richie watching her. 

“You all right?”  She had been too quiet and he couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking.

She nodded and turned so he could help her on with her coat.  “I’m fine.”  She turned back to face him as she buttoned and tied her jacket.  “All set.”

Not missing the conflicting emotion in her pretty eyes, he followed her out of the house and down the walk to the car.  At the door he paused and took her hand in his.  “You can talk to me Steph.”  He searched her eyes again.  “About anything.”

Her nod was nearly imperceptible.  “I know.”  Just not now Rich, she thought.

A long finger stroked her jaw and then he was opening her door.  She reached for his hand as she settled in the low seat of the fancy sports car.  Tipping her head up, she met his gaze.  “Thanks.”

He smiled and shut the door, rounding the front of the car.  Climbing in he carefully backed the car out of the driveway, heading toward Malibu.