The next day he spent a quiet morning with coffee and a notebook, writing down some ideas. He kept looking at his watch. Damn, the day was moving slowly! He napped, read, and went swimming.
After what seemed like five days it was time to get ready for dinner. He dressed upscale casual in a black shirt and grey pants. He noticed his hands shaking a bit as he buttoned. What would Rachel be like? Would she agree to come with him? Would she leave when she found out what a yahoo he really was?
Walking down to the lobby he nodded to one of the bodyguards and went to the floral shop, picking a perfect red rose to give Rachel. When he got back to the area in front of the restaurant he saw a stunning woman in a simple black dress looking around. She was tall and lithe with a head full of red curls... Gorgeous. Nah... that couldn't be her... Then the redhead turned and met his gaze, and smiled nervously, waving her hand. Holy cow, flamegirl was stunning!
Rachel smiled nervously when she saw him standing there. God he was even better looking in person than the pictures she'd seen. Her hands were shaking a bit, so she clamped them together in front of herself to keep from fidgeting as the two made their way towards each other.
"Rachel?" Howie asked.
"Yes. Hi Howie," she said, extending her hand to him. "I'm sorry I'm late! Traffic was a mess," she explained quickly, not wanting him to think her unreliable. She knew deep down she wanted this job as well as needed it. She allowed herself to look at him really well. The dark hair neatly pulled back, the huge soft brown eyes, the wonderful smile.....photographs and television didn't do him justice.
"No need to apologize," he assured her. I'd heard the traffic report while listening to the radio earlier. I'd have tried your cell phone before totally giving up on you," he told her with a smile as he took her hand and gently kissed the back of it. "I'm so glad you agreed to have dinner with me. Shall we?" he indicated the direction of the restaurant.
As they moved toward the restaurant Rachel felt Howie's hand on the small of her back, guiding her. Her breath caught.
Howie walked with this beautiful creature into the restaurant. he put a hand on her back to guide her... and frankly, he just had to touch her.
He held a chair for her and they sat and smiled shyly at each other.
"Well," said Howie, "I can see why you call yourself flamegirl. You are lovely."
Rachel felt herself blush. "Well, thank you sir, and likewise. Look, I brought you some samples of my work." bending to her briefcase Rachel's hair slid forward and Howie saw the graceful white column of her neck. She was really beautiful, like a swan.
Rachel pulled out the sheaf of photocopies and handed them to Howie. "I hope you like them."
"I'm sure I will, Rachel. Would you like some wine?"
"A glass of wine would be wonderful. I need to unwind after all that traffic. I have no patience for it," she admitted with a quiet laugh at herself. She watched as Howie ordered them a bottle of wine and a couple of appetizers before turning back to her. "The articles and samples I gave you cover a little bit of everything - serious journalism, light hearted topics, reviews and a bit of the first ghost writing assignment I did," she added. "I want you to be totally sure about this before we agree to anything."
Howie watched her intently as she explained the papers she'd given him. Their wine came and the waiter poured them each a glass of the golden liquid. Lifting his glass to hers, Howie proposed a toast. "Here's to what I'm sure is going to be a very productive working relationship," he said as he held her eyes with his own.
Carefully Rachel lifted her glass to clink it against his. "Aren't you going to read the samples?" she asked curiously.
"Later," he assured her. "I want us to talk for now. I can read later when dinner is done. I want to talk to you while I've got you here in front of me," he explained as they dug into the appetizers brought to the table. They spent dinner with Howie asking Rachel as many questions as he could think of about herself and her writing. Rachel from time to time would ask similar questions of Howie, listening carefully to his answers, gauging his sense of description and memory, trying to judge if she'd be able to write off what he told her. Before they knew it, they'd whittled away a couple of hours eating and talking.
Rachel glanced at her watch. "Wow. Look at the time! I really shouldn't hog any more of yours," she sighed. "I'll let you have some time to read the samples and think on it some more. Then maybe we can meet again tomorrow before I drive back?" she asked hesitantly.
"I'll let you have some time to read the samples and think on it some more. Then maybe we can meet again tomorrow before I drive back?" she asked hesitantly.
"That sounds good. We are heading to our next venue... um, shoot where is it? Oh, Greensboro at around noon. Why don't we meet at 8:00 for breakfast here? They have a really good buffet." he admitted.
Rachel laughed. "All men do think with their stomachs! That sounds fine with me."
"Rachel," said Howie, as he held her chair, "I just want to say that I am going to read your work carefully and with thought, but I can tell you now that I like you, your style and your gentleness. You seem very understanding, very professional." he added, "and I think we would work well together. I know that I would trust you with Caroline."
Rachel's eyes misted. "Oh, Howie, thank you. I... I think it would be wonderful to work with you. But I refuse to let you hire me before you read my work."
"Fair enough." said Howie, proffering his arm. "I'll walk you to your room."
"I have to get my case from the car, first."
"OK, I'll go with you. I don't want you walking down in that parking garage alone at night like this. There are a lot of nasty people out there, and you are a beautiful woman."
Rachel smiled and slid her arm into his, walking toward the garage elevator as if walking on a cloud. He was wonderful, as sweet as all the articles she had read about him claimed. And he thought her beautiful! She was also touched at his male protectiveness, though she wasn't afraid of a garage.
The two continued to talk as they got her things from her car. Of course Howie wouldn't let her carry a thing, taking her small case from her and directing her back to the hotel and towards the elevator. "Wait, I have to check in first," she reminded him.
"No you don't," he grinned. "I told you I was taking care of everything. Your room is on the third floor," he informed her as he pushed the "3" button inside the elevator. "I want to thank you again for coming to meet me. You've lit a spark in me Rachel, which hasn't happened for a long time. I'm truly excited about doing this."
The two exited onto the third floor and walked the short distance to her room. She turned to him before slipping the card key into the slot. "I have to admit, I'm excited about this as well Howie. This is the kind of job I've dreamed about doing for some time. Ghost writing on a project that would mean so much to so many people," she said quietly. "But for now, I better get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning at 8:00," she smiled as she pushed open her door and stepped inside.
Howie laid his palm against the door of her room for a moment. What a lovely woman. He sensed that she would say yes, and it filled his heart with hope. Walking down the hallway he hummed a bit while he looked down at the sheaf of paper in his hand. Whew, lots of reading!
When he got to his door there was a note pinned to it. "D- come and see me, man."
Howie grinned and went to find AJ's room. "Hey, D." said AJ sighing, "Where have you been? I thought you might want to go out tonight."
"Well, I was out... sort of."
AJ looked at Howie over his glasses. "Sort of? Come in and explain. I have some bourbon that has our names on it."
Howie walked into AJ's room and collapsed on the couch. "I think I have just seen the most amazing woman..."
"Oh, Christ, not you too? Damn, the fans will be crushed. Kevin's walking around with his face pinched worried that some crazed fan will commit suicide. And if you don't mention Leighanne Brian won't even hear ya!"
Howie laughed, "Nah, it's not like that." and then he explained everything, from going online to meeting Rachel and the book idea.
"Man, that is da bomb. Caro would love that, D. I think it's great." AJ lit a cigarette and sipped his drink.
"Really?" said Howie, "You think so, Bone, should I go for it? It's all happening so fast."
"Sometimes things work that way, bro. Carpe Diem."
"Carpe Diem?" said Howie
"Seize the day, my man. Grab opportunity when it comes knockin'. Especially if opportunity is a leggy redhead."
Howie laughed and threw a pillow at AJ, which prompted a pillow fight of epic proportions.
"Man..."
"What? said Howie, setting back to finish his drink.
"I am so lonely." AJ punched the pillow, sending it flying across the room.
"I know." said Howie, slowly rotating the glass in his hand. "I know."
Links to other sites on the Web
© 1997 crunkgrl62382@yahoo.com
Get your own Free Home Page