Sam was in her element. As she and Dani walked down Main Street toward Cinderella's Castle, she was practically glowing from the stir they were creating. Men stared appreciatively, while tired and disheveled looking mothers eyed them with jealousy. Sam was almost disappointed when they reached the base of the castle and their little stroll came to an end. As Prince Charming himself walked up to greet them, Sam and Dani burst into laughter.
"Good evening, my ladies. It is not often that such beautiful damsels grace my castle." He bowed royally before them. "It is with deep regret that I will not have the opportunity to escort such fair maidens to the ball, as you are expected in the dining hall." Prince Charming offered each lady an arm, and Sam and Dani politely accepted his assistance. He escorted them to an elevator that led to the private restaurant in one of the turrets of the castle. "Until we meet again my fair ladies," he said, raising their hands to his lips as the elevator door slid open.
Sam marveled at the ornate elevator. The mahogany paneling was adorned with polished brass hand railings and elaborately detailed moldings. "Wait till you see the private dining room." Dani said, noticing Sam's awestruck expression. The door opened and Sam looked around the room. The same mahogany paneling adorned the walls and exquisitely carved beams ran up the ceiling coming to a point at the top of the turret. A large Waterford chandelier hung from its' center. The sitting area contained richly detailed Queen Anne style furniture upholstered in a navy jacquard floral print. Large gothic style windows were separated by heavy burgundy velvet drapes with gold fringe. A spectacular view of the Magic Kingdom was revealed through the lead glass windows. The evening lights twinkled like stars that had fallen to earth. The restaurant was truly elegant. Sam turned her attention to the dining area and the smile on her face faded. Although she really wasn't surprised to see AJ there, she still flashed Howie, and then Dani, a look that quietly voiced her irritation at their meddling. As she turned her attention back to AJ, she couldn't help but admire how fabulous he looked in his black velvet, collarless jacket and white shirt. Sam was always impressed by the way he could wear any style, from formal to grunge, and carry it off as if it had been designed just for him.
AJ stood behind a chair, waiting to seat her. Unable to take his gaze from her, he eyed her up and down. The dress hugged her lush curves and the emerald green color was the perfect foil for her blue-black hair. He had known the minute he had spotted the dress how beautiful she would look wearing it. He hadn't been too enthusiastic about Howie's idea to surprise the girls with dinner, knowing how hurt and angry Sam still was, but after seeing Sam in that dress, he was glad that he had went along with it
Howie stepped out from behind the table and walked toward Dani, smiling. Her hair was artfully arranged in a French knot. Soft curly tendrils framed her face and fell delicately on her shoulders. The bronze color of her dress brought out her soft brown eyes and made her peaches and cream complexion glow. Howie's eyes followed the lines of her dress down her body. The flared, thigh length skirt, accentuated her shapely legs. He kissed Dani softly as he pulled her into his arms. "You look so beautiful," he whispered. His hand caressed the silky fabric of her dress beginning at the small of her back, across her bottom, and down to the hem of her skirt. Subtly, he slipped his hand under the back of her skirt and nibbled at her ear as he toyed with the lace tops of her thigh high stockings. She smiled mischievously at him, knowing how much he liked for her to wear sexy clothing and lingerie. Dani noted that Howie looked pretty good himself in his black double-breasted suit and maroon shirt. But then, she had always loved him in maroon. Taking his silky tie into her hand and looking him in the eye, she said playfully, "You are one very bad boy, Howie Dorough. I'll get even for the spa thing, you know."
"I knew you'd do it if Sam was there to twist your arm," he said confidently. "Admit it. You liked it, didn't you?" Howie broke into a huge grin, knowing that she couldn't deny it.
"She loved it!" Sam confirmed, interrupting their moment as she walked over to the table. Dani and Howie followed her. Sam ignored AJ as she slid into the seat he held for her. AJ grimaced and gave Howie a look that said "I told you so." As Howie helped Dani take her seat, a tuxedo-clad waiter approached and announced for the benefit of the ladies that the gentlemen had taken the liberty of ordering the meal, and inquired if they cared for anything to drink. "I definitely need a drink," Sam said as she glanced quickly at AJ before settling her eyes on Dani. "I'll have a Crown and Seven with a lime," she told the waiter, silently daring Dani to comment. Dani asked for a glass of white wine as she dodged Sam's eyes.
AJ pulled out his pack of Marlboros and slid one out of the box. As he reached into his pocket for his lighter, Sam looked up at him in surprise. "I thought you quit," she blurted out without thinking. He took his time lighting the cigarette and took a couple of drags before answering her. "I started back again," he said, shrugging. "A couple of months ago," he added, staring steadily at her.
"It's bad for your health. And your voice," she told him. "But you know that," she said as the waiter sat her drink in front of her. She shrugged as she took a healthy sip from her drink.
"AJ," Dani said waving her hand in front of her face, "Do you have to smoke in here?" She coughed for effect. AJ laughed and signaled to the waiter to bring him an ashtray. "Sorry," he apologized, as he snuffed out the cigarette. "I wasn't thinking."
"And that reminds me," Dani continued. "Howie and I took a walk in the garden this morning before Sam and I left, and there were cigarette butts everywhere. The birds can choke on those you know," Dani said matter of factly, "not to mention that I spend a lot of time and effort to make the garden look good. It looks nasty when you throw your butts everywhere." Howie and Sam grinned at each other, both having been on the receiving end of Dani's scoldings before. They were glad someone else was the target this time. "Dani, I swear I didn't throw any butts down in your garden," AJ said, holding his hands up in a gesture of innocence. "I like living," he stated emphatically.
"Well, somebody did, and you're the only one hanging around our house at the moment who smokes," she said looking at him pointedly. "And Sam's right. It's bad for you." AJ looked pleadingly at Howie, silently begging for his friend's help. Howie laughed. "Oh, no, you're on your own on this one, Bro," he told him, shaking his head.
"Okay, okay," AJ said resignedly. "I won't throw any butts down in your garden. . . . .
"Or anywhere else at my house," Dani interrupted.
"Or anywhere else," AJ agreed. "Even though I didn't do it in the first place," he couldn't resist adding. Before Dani could open her mouth to respond, Howie suggested that less talking and more dancing might be more enjoyable. AJ gave him a grateful look as Howie pulled Dani's chair back and offered her his arm. As Howie led Dani onto the small dance floor beside the dining area, the waiter arrived with another drink for Sam. AJ started to make a comment about her drinking, but decided against it. What did he care if she had to endure the flight to Dallas tomorrow with a hangover? It would serve her right, anyway, he thought smugly. Absentmindedly, he lit another cigarette as the two of them silently watched their friends share a playful, flirtatious dance. Dani kept having to slap Howie's hands away from the tops of her stockings. Sam sighed wistfully, remembering the fun she and AJ used to have dancing. She sneaked a surreptitious glance at him. "There's plenty of room out here on the dance floor," Howie called over to them. "Get out here and join us."
AJ put out his cigarette before he stood and offered his hand to Sam. "Care to dance?" he asked indifferently. Sam stared at his outstretched hand for a moment before looking him in the eye. "With an offer like that, how can a girl refuse?" she said sarcastically. AJ leaned down, placing one hand on the table and the other on the back of her chair. Quietly but firmly he whispered in her ear, "You know, Howie and Dani, and not to mention myself, went to a lot of trouble to set this up. The least you could do is pretend to have a good time. I suggest we call a truce, if only temporarily." Sam continued to stare at her former lover as he stepped back and stood there waiting. "I won't ask again," he told her bluntly. Feeling just the tiniest bit ashamed of her surliness, Sam placed her hand in AJ's and allowed him to escort her to the dance floor. Dani and Howie shared a look of triumph as AJ pulled Sam into his arms. She tried to keep a rigid conversational distance between them at first. But by the end of the dance, with the help of the alcohol she had consumed and the sensation of being close to him again, she had allowed him to nestle her tightly in his arms. She tried to keep her disappointment from showing when the music ended and the waiters began serving the first course. Both couples returned to the table and took their seats.
Howie insisted on hearing about Dani's day at the spa and the girls filled him in on the details. Sam delighted in telling the men how red Dani's face had become when she had realized that the masseuses were male. Her friend had kept a death grip on the concealing towel she'd worn throughout the whole massage. "And when Ethan began massaging her, ahem, gluteal muscles," Sam laughed hysterically, "I thought she was going to bolt for the door." AJ grabbed a napkin and raised it to his mouth to keep from spitting food across the table. Dani's face was now as red as it had been earlier during the massage. "The only person I want rubbing my ass is Howie," she retorted. Sam and AJ collapsed against each other, laughing at Dani's unexpected comeback. "Amen, to that," Howie said, wiping tears from his eyes, "amen to that." The four friends continued to laugh and tease one another throughout the meal. Sam and AJ seemed to be getting along well and Dani silently congratulated herself on the success of her plan. She looked lovingly at Howie and he reached out and caressed her cheek. She turned her face to kiss his hand. AJ ignored their affectionate display as long as he could, but when Howie began feeding Dani spoonfuls of tiramisu, he couldn't resist. "You know, once you're a member of the club, you're a member for life. You don't have to renew your membership every time you eat here," he informed them. Dani choked and turned red. She stared incredulously at Howie. "You've got a big mouth, Howard Dorough!" she exclaimed.
Sam looked from AJ to Howie as they laughed helplessly. She was definitely missing something here, she mused. "What club?" she asked when they had calmed down enough to hear her. When Dani blushed even redder than before, Sam was even more intrigued. "What?" she repeated. AJ grinned as he proceeded to enlighten her on the membership requirements for the Turret Club. "And Howie and Dani renew their membership every time they come here," he told her. "No pun intended," he laughed. "Oh, and Dani," AJ continued, "Howie didn't tell me. It was just a guess." Dani groaned and covered her face with her hand. Howie patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Don't be embarrassed, hon," he told her. "Bone's just jealous." Dani raised her head as a thought struck her. "Well, AJ," she said slyly, "maybe you and Sam should apply for membership."
"I'm already a member," he smirked. "Me and Aman. . . ." he stopped as he realized what he had just
said. Howie groaned and Dani looked quickly at Sam to see if she had caught his slip. Sam laid her
napkin down on her plate. "I seem to have developed a headache suddenly," she said, not caring that her
excuse sounded as lame as it was. She pushed her chair back and stood. "Dani, I'll see you at the
house." Dani rose from her chair after sending AJ an irritated look. She gave Howie a quick kiss and
hurried after her friend. AJ sighed as he lit another cigarette. "Guess the truce is over now," he remarked
to no one in particular.
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