WHATTA MAN    Sitting at her dressing table, Carlie Michaels thought back to the night she had met her fiancee' for the first time, eight years ago. They were in a club there in Orlando; and she'd caught site of him just as Salt-N-Peppa's song "Whatta Man" began blarring through the club's speakers.   As she danced, she had watched him. He was tall with dark hair, green eyes, a strong jawline and high cheekbones. She knew the song was all about him and she smiled at him across the dance floor when he glanced her way.   They'd become good friends after that night; sharing their hopes, dreams, and ups and downs with each other. Two years ago, their friendship had changed, evolved into something deeper, something more meaningful.   Now here she was, engaged to the man of her dreams; their wedding day only seven months away.   "Hey, you look like you're a million miles away" Dori, one of her best friends said as she came to stand behind her. Carlie smiled, her chocolate brown eyes twinkling, up at Dori and said, "Not that far away...only about eight years ago."   Dori nodded in understanding. "Are you ready for tonight?" Dori asked as she began applying her make-up. "Very! I just hope he remembers" Carlie replied as she ran a brush through her long dark brown hair. "Have you seen Janie?"   "I'm right here. Sorry I'm late. It's just my luck that traffic would be bad on this of all evenings" Janie said as she entered the room and set her bag down.   Carlie smiled at Janie, silently letting her know that it was okay. She let her mind wander back two years ago when she first met the two women.   It was right after she and Kevin had begun dating. They were meeting Kevin's four bandmates for dinner and then a night of dancing. They had arrived at the restaurant first and shortly after AJ and arrived with a stunning beauty on his arms. She was petite, blonde haired and very sweet.   Janie had also arrived that night on Nick's arm. With a cinnaman complexion and wild curly hair, she'd charmed everyone within the first five minutes. It was also clear in those same few minutes that she kept Nick on his toes with her sharp wit and an even sharper tongue! The three women had hit it off right away and despite the years and the trials they'd all faced, they had remained best friends.   "Kevvy-Kev doesn't suspect anything, does he?" Janie asked as she quickly changed from her work clothes into her party clothes.   "Nope! I can be very sneaky and secretive when I wanna be" Carlie said as she smoothed the line of her short black skirt.   "I still can't believe you talked us into this" Dori said as she slipped her feet into her chunky slides. "I do have the power of persuasion!" Carlie shot back with a laugh.    Carlie was throwing Kevin a party for his birthday and she had talked Dori and Janie into helping with Kevin's surprise. The three had practiced in secret for the last two weeks, rehearsing the words to the song and with Fatima's help and had come up with sultry dance steps to go along with the act.   Kevin had serenaded her at her birthday party a few months ago and she felt the time was ripe for a little payback.  She couldn't wait to see the look on his face, or AJ's and Nick's for that matter, when the three of them took the small stage and began.. Fatima had added enough bumps, grinds and hip thrust to start a fire under the three men and it was going to be fun watching them squirm. She just hoped Kevin remembered the significance of the song.    "We've lost her again" Janie said as she waved her hand in front of Carlie's face. "Hmm? Sorry, just thinking about tonight. What did you say?" Carlie asked. "Just that it's time to go. You have to pick up Kevin and get him there on time" Dori reminded her.   The three friends quickly gathered their things, took one last look in the mirror and left Carlie's house, each going their own way before meeting up at Hard Rock Cafe. Carlie had rented out one of the party rooms, complete with a small stage.                                                          ~~~****~~~   "Come on ya big baby, put the blindfold on" Carlie teased Kevin as they got in her car. "I don't see why I have to put this on. I already know we're going to meet everyone for my birthday party" he grumbled, but slid the blindfold over his eyes anyway. Chuckling softly at him, Carlie leaned over and brushed her lips over his in a featherlight touch. The grin that broke across his face as she pulled away said all she needed to know.   A few minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of the Hard Rock Cafe and Carlie led Kevin indoors, guiding him by the hand. She grinned when she spotted everyone standing just inside the room waiting for them. Silently, and on her fingers, she counted backwards from three to one and then pulled the blindfold off. "SURPRISE!!!" everyone cheered and Kevin laughed.   "Hey Carlie, you know there's a stage right?" AJ asked as he hugged her. "Yeah Bone I know there's a stage! And yes, before you ask you can use it" she said with a dry undertone and a smile that said she was just teasing, "If ya do me a favor."  She quickly explained what she wanted him to do and why and he cackled evily and rubbed his hands together. "I'm there babe!" he said as he sauntered off to find Dori.   Kevin mingled with the crowd, receiving birthday wishes and hugs, slaps on the back and an occasional kiss from his well wishers.  Meanwhile, Carlie circled the opposite way, making sure that everyone was having a good time and heading towards the backstage entrance. She noticed Dori and Janie doing the same and smiled inwardly, as AJ took the stage and began singing "Brick House". His onstage antics captivated those in the room, making it very easy for the three of them to slip off.   "He doesn't know what we're doing does he?" Dori asked as the door closed behind them. "No, I told him I was going to sing to Kevin and needed a distraction so I could get ready. He fell for it hook, line and sinker" Carlie said as she took a deep breath and let it out.   "Hey ladies, nervous?" Fatima asked as she came backstage. "YES!!" they said in unison and burst into wild laughter. "Don't be. You'll do just fine. Just remember to make eye contact with them. It'll drive them crazy."  The four women shared grins as AJ started the introduction.   "Ladies and gentleman and most importantly our very own Birthday Boy. We have a very special surprise for you tonight. Put your hands together and help me welcome Carlie!"  Wild applause broke out and Kevin hung his head, hiding his blushing cheeks.   Carlie, Janie and Dori moved sensuously across the stage to the beat of "Whatta Man", causing not only Kevin, but AJ and Nick to stop and stare. They're jaws hung open, they're eyes wide and disbelieving.   Their moves were smooth, and they looked like they'd been doing those moves for a lifetime! For three women who swore they couldn't sing, they held the crowd in the palm's of their hands. TO READ THE REST CLICK HERE!