In front of her, a winding staircase complete with a red carpet drew her attention. Beside it stood a sign indicating The Red Apple’s entrance. Lucy smiled. The idea of walking up those stairs made her stomach flip-flop. It was silly but she felt a bit like Cinderella. Dressed to kill in clothes she couldn’t afford, inside a fancy hotel…it was very fitting of a fairy tale celebration. And once she’d decided to go forward with this little event, she’d gotten anxious. Now, she was more than a little eager to get this girl’s night out under way. Actually, she was quite impatient.
She took each step with awe of the new experience and of being in a world so unlike her own. If her job went well, she knew this kind of place might be exactly what her future held. It made her journey to the top of the steps all the more spellbinding. Reaching the entrance to the bar, Lucy stood in the doorway, scanning the room. Her gaze slid to the ceiling in appreciation. Triangle-shaped lights dangling by the hundreds offered a seductive hint of dim light. Small round tables with matching chairs graced the room in clusters of four. The bar was busy though not overly crowded.
And as if a magnet drew her gaze, Lucy’s eyes went to the table where two men sat talking. Suddenly, she found herself pinned in a stare. Dark eyes held hers. The man was like something out of her best fantasy. Black hair framed a square jaw and defined cheekbones.
Awareness swirled in her stomach and spread through her body. Absolute quiet seemed to fill the room and all activity around her disappeared. Nothing existed but the two of them, as if a magic circle had been drawn enclosing her with her perfect stranger. Lucy licked her lips nervously. His gaze followed the action, lingering on her lips. It was the moment that allowed her to regain her sanity. How long had she been spellbound by this man?
Lucy shook her head slightly and refocused on the room, scanning for Zoe, but not finding her. Eyeing an open table, at the opposite side of the bar, she headed toward it. Facing the entrance, Lucy watched for Zoe. A waitress placed a napkin in front of her. Lucy looked up at her and blinked. The woman was striking, with long black hair, and brilliant blue eyes. She had the kind of looks that turned heads. Suddenly, Lucy’s confidence faltered. This woman was unique and striking. Lucy was often called “cute” and she hated it.
“Drink?” the waitress asked, with a hint of impatience in her voice.
Lucy rarely drank so she said the only thing that came to mind. “Margarita.”
“Frozen? On the rocks? Salt? No salt?”
So many choices. “Frozen.”
“Salt?” An irritated pause. “No salt?”
“Hmm,” Lucy said. “Salt?”
Mumbling something incomprehensible, the waitress turned to leave. Lucy watched as the woman crossed the bar, her long, perfect legs carrying her gracefully away. At that moment, Lucy decided she needed that margarita for courage. Because right now she was feeling way too cute.
* * * * *
Logan Monroe laughed as Bob Hart, aka “the Joker” as they had called him in college, told one of his trademark bad jokes. In the ten years he’d known the man, Bob had never run out of bad jokes. But he was only half-listening. His mind lingered on the sweet little brunette he’d seen just minutes before. He studied her openly, drawn to her rich sensuality, unable to tear his eyes away. But there had been more to her than met the eyes. Beneath her surface, he’d sensed vulnerability. It had called to him in some strange way he didn’t quite understand.
“Earth to Logan,” Bob said snapping two fingers in front of Logan’s face. “Hello?” Bob ran his hand across his buzzed, blond hair and smiled. “Still thinking about that woman, I see? At least something other than work can get your attention.”
Logan grinned in return. “I have never had a problem taking a momentary break for the right member of the opposite sex.”
“Just as long as they don’t demand more than a romp or two in the sack, right ole’ boy?” There was a hint of disapproval in his voice.
Logan grimaced. “Hey, until Angela somehow hypnotized you, things were no different for you. Don’t pretend differently.”
“I was never like you. I never allowed my work to become my life.”
Logan snorted. “I don’t live my job. Just because I don’t have a steady woman in my life doesn’t make me married to my job. Besides, it’s hard being my father’s son. I’ve had to prove I’m as good as he is.”
“I still can’t believe you’re off in Los Angeles running someone else’s company. Why do you even keep a place here?”
“I’ll be back soon. I’ll take over my father’s firm next year sometime. For now, I’m proving I deserve the job.”