Chapter Thirty-One

Pinning up her hair, Stephanie stepped into her tub and sank to her chin in the fragrant bubbles. It was good to be home.  She’d had a great time going back east and seeing her parents, siblings and nieces and nephew, but as hard as it had been to get used to the quiet of her new home, she was glad for it now.  She had forgotten just how loud the kids could get when they were all together.

Reaching over she turned the volume down on the iPod and picked up her phone.  She hadn’t talked to her girls in a few days.  Her parents didn’t have a wireless connection so she’d had to sneak on their desktop computer whenever she needed to check her email.  She just wanted to wish her friends a happy new year before she had to start getting ready for her own evening.

To:     The Girls
From: Q
Subj:   Happy New Year

Hey girls, just wanted to wish you all the best for the new year.  Enjoy your evenings, however you’re spending them.

Love you all-
Q

Laying her head back, she set the phone on the edge of the tub and closed her eyes.  She let herself drift, thinking about Richie and the evening ahead.  She was actually looking forward to this little party of his.  She had gone that afternoon and had her hair done, she had picked up a new top to wear and now was indulging herself with a long soak in her garden tub.

Raising one leg out of the water, she rested her heel on the edge of the tub and carefully dragged the razor up her leg from ankle to hip.  Taking her time, she shaved and groomed, readying herself for a night out like she hadn’t in so long.  She used to enjoy prettying herself up for Mark.  Now, she was taking that care for another man.  She sighed as she ran the soapy puff over her skin.  It didn’t hurt quite so much to think about him.  It was getting easier to be without him.  Time seemed to be doing its job.

As the water cooled, she stepped out, drying herself and smoothing on her lotion.  She slipped into her robe and wandered into her bedroom.  As she was pondering her lingerie drawer her phone beeped.  One of the girls had emailed her back.

To:     Q
From: Catte
Subj:   Happy New Year

  Happy New Year yourself girlie.  Party is in full swing.  Hope you’re enjoying yourself.  Be safe.  Talk soon!

Smooches - Catte

She smiled and set the phone on the bed, catching sight of the time.  It was later than she thought.  She needed to get a move on.  She looked at her shirt hanging on the closet door and back to the drawer.  Grabbing a bra and matching panties she dressed quickly and headed back to the bathroom.

Unpinning her hair she ran her fingers through it, working out any knots.  Rosie had blown it out for her that afternoon and it was all silky, smooth and straight.  She turned her head from one side to the other, the subtle burgundy highlights catching the light.  She took a little extra care with her make up, darkening her eyes and adding a hint of color on her lips.  Stepping back into the bedroom she stopped in front of the full length mirror.

She had topped her slim, dark jeans with a silver tank that draped in the front, giving just a hint of the cleavage beneath.  She topped that with a long, lightweight black cardigan sweater.  A string of black and silver beads rested in the valley of her breasts and her crimson boots added a bit of color.  She hoped it was the right look for a rock star party.  She grabbed her purse off the dresser and dropped her lipstick in.  She hoped Richie liked it.

The drive to Calabasas was quicker than usual, the traffic lighter on this, the last night of the year.  She pulled in the driveway and crept slowly around the drive.  A million tiny white lights lit the way from the gate to the front door.  There were just a couple of other cars along the lane where she parked.  Adding her keys to her purse she stood at the front door, suddenly nervous. She raised her fingers to push the bell, paused and then let her hand fall to her side.  She wiped her hand on her jeans, her palm was damp and her pulse had started to pound.  Taking a deep breath she raised her hand once more and this time, her finger found the door bell.

Richie drained his drink, the ice cubes clinking against the bottom of the heavy crystal tumbler. He smiled distractedly at his friend’s wild story and tried to stop watching the clock.  Where is she?  

He had talked to Stephanie just yesterday after she had gotten home.  She hadn’t said she changed her mind about tonight, but she wasn’t here yet either.  He excused himself from his friends and stepped to the bar to refill his glass.  He hadn’t seen her in damn near a month.  She’d better show up.  He took a sip of his drink and had to laughed at himself.  Giving her an ultimatum and she wasn’t even here.  Man, he had it bad for this woman.  But he didn’t want her to be alone tonight.  He didn’t want to be alone tonight if he was being honest.  

Grabbing his glass off the bar he was about to rejoin his friends when the doorbell chimed.  He glanced around the room.  It had to be her; everyone else he had invited was already here. Setting his glass back on the bar he turned and headed for the door.  He nearly crashed into his daughter as he went by the staircase and she came flying down the stairs.  “Whoa there baby girl, slow down.”

Ava stumbled against him, grabbed his hand and righted herself.  “Sorry dad, but I think that might be my ride.”  She was spending the night at her girlfriend’s house and had been waiting for the last half hour to be picked up.

Together they made their way to the door.  Pulling it open Richie smiled at finding Stephanie on the other side of the door and Ava frowned.  Ava huffed her disappointment and made to go back upstairs when another car pulled around by the door and honked its horn.  She looked up at her dad.  He was looking at this woman all funny.  “My ride is here.”

Richie held out his hand to Stephanie, “come in.  I’ll be just a minute.”  After tugging her inside, he left her standing by the door as he walked his daughter out to the car that was waiting.  He kept looking back at Stephanie as he tried to get the details of Ava’s return the next day.  Finally he straightened and waved the car off.  His smile brightened as he closed the door behind him.  “Sorry about that sweetheart.”  

She held up her hand, “that’s okay.”

He studied her for a long moment.  Something about her was different.  Her eyes looked brighter today than the last time he saw her.  The sadness wasn’t as apparent tonight.  He didn’t know what had changed, but he was just going to go with it for now.  He smiled at her, “it’s good to see you.  Let me take your coat.”

She slipped off her coat and handed it to him.  “It’s good to see you too, Richie.”  

He hung up her jacket and tucked her purse into the closet.  Taking her hand he led her down the hall.  He stopped just before they got to the doorway of the living room.  Tugging her to a stop he pressed her back against the wall.  With his free hand he stroked her cheek.  “You look amazing tonight, sweetheart.”  His hand slid across her cheek and into the hair.

She drew her gaze up from his chest to his face.  “Thank you.”

He lowered his head and their mouths met in a barely there kiss.  Richie eased back briefly, a quick glance at her face found no resistance.  He went back for another kiss, pressing his body against her, taking it deeper, finding the punch of heat that was always lurking between them.

A discreet cough had them pulling apart.  “So this is where you went.  We were wondering what happened to you.”  The man looked Stephanie up and down before looking back at Richie.  “Can’t say as I blame you man.”

Richie pressed his lips briefly to Stephanie’s forehead and straightened away from her.  “Stephanie, this is my buddy Tony.”

She nodded at the man, her face hot with embarrassment.  “Hi.”

Keeping her hand in his, Richie drew her away from the wall, “come on and meet the rest of my friends.”  He took a step and then turned back, lowering his head to whisper in her ear.  “We’ll finish this” he gestured to the wall, “later.”