***The Next Morning*** Lauren awoke to the sound of the telephone ringing.  She fumbled through her dazed state to answer the phone. “Hello?” “Well, hello to you miss thing.  Have a late night?” “Hey Jo, yeah I caught the late ferry in last night.  What’s up?” “I should say, what’s up with you?  The guys came in, and Devin was all smiles as he came into the studio.  Must have been a sweet night.” Lauren was now awake, reeling from the night before.  “Oh Joann, it was!  My God, it was the best night I have had in a long time.  We got off to a slow start, but then we went to the arcade, we laughed so hard.  And then, he took me on a carriage ride around Central Park…” “And….” “Then he kissed me!” “What!  You’re kidding!” “No, it was so romantic… just like a fairy tale.  The moment was absolutely perfect.” “Wow, and I spent the night watching reruns and eating ice cream.” “You’re not tonight, because he invited us to Veruka!” “No!  We have been trying to get in there for the longest time and no luck.” “I know, he said he had it all arranged, you me and the guys are going.  What do you say?” “Is the Pope Catholic?  Hell yeah I’ll be there!  Listen I have to get down there and help Mark out.  I’ll get the details for tonight and thank them personally.  Catch you later.” “OK, bye.” “Bye.” ***Electric Lady Studios*** Joann went down to the studio where the group and Mark were working out details of the song. “Hello all!” “Hey Joann what’s shaking?” asked Brad. “I am after my phone call with Lauren just now.”  She smiled at Devin.  Devin blushed. “Lauren?  Hey wait a minute, did you guys…” asked Mark. “Yes, we did,” said Devin. “Whoa, man, you didn’t tell us anything,” said Brad. “You couldn’t tell by the big goofy smile on his face this morning?  Geez you men are so blind,” said Joann.  She turned to Devin.  “And thanks for the invite tonight.  I’m so excited!” “You’re welcome,” said Devin. “So I guess it was a good night then,” remarked Rich. “It was,” said Devin.  “Oh man, it was.  I had a lot of fun.  Um, by the way, what did Lauren say about… you know…” he inquired to Joann. “Yes she did, and she was reeling from it,” said Joann.  “So what’s the plan for tonight?” “Why don’t you guys meet us at our hotel, and we’ll have a car waiting,” said Rich. “Alright then,” said Joann.  “I’ll call her later.” “And we have a song to record, so can we get a move on please?” asked Mark. Joann gave a salute.  “Yes sir, your producerness.” ***Grand Hyatt Hotel*** Lauren and Joann went up to Devin’s room and knocked at the door.  Rich answered the door. “Hey guys, come on in.” Joann and Lauren found Brad and Devin sitting on the bed.  They both got up.  “Hello,” said Brad. “Hey,” said Joann and Lauren. “Hi Joann,” said Devin. “Hello,” said Joann. Devin walked to Lauren.  “Hey beautiful,” he said.  He put his arms around her and kissed her gently on the lips. “What a nice hello,” commented Lauren. “Speaking of which,” said Rich, “You girls look awesome.  I have never seen you in clothes other than suits, Jo.” “Thank you, you flirt,” said Joann.  Both girls decided to get a little dressed for the occasion.  Joann was wearing a black satin tank top that clung to her, a silver chain belt that hung loosely over her black bellbottoms, black platform shoes, and she had her hair in loose spiral curls.  Lauren was wearing a purple halter-top with charcoal bellbottoms, and silver platform sandals.  Big silver hoop earrings grazed her neckline, and she had her hair a loose, chunky up-do with tendrils hanging towards her eyes. Devin had a black body shirt with a zipper down that showed a little of his chest and black pants.  Brad wore a similar shirt, but in cream and khaki pants.  Rich had a black shirt opened with a white tank top underneath and black pants.  “So are we ready for Veruka?” asked Brad. “Since we turned 21,” answered Joann.  “Lauren and I have been trying to get in that place, but every time we try, there’s a line a mile long.” Rich laughed.  “We won’t have a problem with that.  Come on, the limo is waiting.” Joann and Lauren looked at each other in surprise as if to say Limo?  The group went down to the lobby where, sure enough, a black stretch limousine was waiting for them.  The chauffeur held open the door as they climbed inside. “How did you get a limo?” asked Joann. “The record company supplies it, whenever we want,” answered Devin. A little while later, the limo stopped at Veruka, one of the trendiest clubs in Manhattan.  A well-known place for celebrities and the rich, it was one of the places to be.  Anyone who is anyone went there.  “See, look,” said Joann in despair.  “The line is almost around the block.  How the hell are we going to get in?” “How others get in,” answered Brad.  “Through the door.” The chauffeur got out and let the group out of the car.  They arrived at the door where a large man stepped in front of them. “Sorry guys, you have to go to the end of the line,” he said. “Excuse me,” interjected Rich, “We’re on the guest list.” The man pulled out a clipboard.  “Name?” “LFO plus 2, under the TransCon Group,” Rich answered. He looked down the list.  “Ah, here we are,” the man said.  He opened the door for them.  “Go right on in.” “Thanks,” said Devin. “Y’all enjoy tonight,” said the man. They all walked inside.  Lauren and Joann looked in awe.  It didn’t look like a regular nightclub.  It was not as dark others are.  Little candles were around the room, and many tables lined the outskirts of the place.  A fancy bar was situated at the side and the dance floor was in the center.  People were dancing, going to the bar, or hobnobbing with each other.  Lauren and Joann were taking notice of the well-known people at the club. “There’s Christy Turlington!” said Joann. “And there’s Derek Jeter!  Oh my God, he’s my favorite on the Yankees!” exclaimed Lauren. “Geez, there’s Lil Kim!” said Joann again. “Look boys, they’re starstruck already,” laughed Rich.  “Let’s find a table.” The group found a booth and they all sat down.  A waitress came to them. “What would you like?” “Bottle of Moet please,” responded Devin. “Moet?” asked Lauren.  Devin smiled. A few minutes later she showed up with a bottle of champagne and several glasses.  Rich poured the champagne and they all took a glass.  “A toast if you will.”  They all held up their glasses.  “To success.” “To new friends,” added Joann. “And thensome,” added Lauren as she looked at Devin.  They all clinked glasses and sipped.  The champagne was delectable. “Well, what do you say, shall we cut a rug or what?” said Joann. “Let’s go,” responded Rich.  The group hit the dance floor and felt the beat.  Lauren could see why these guys were a group.  They could move to any song well, to the point the girls felt almost self-conscious.  But they had fun.  The music was good and not too loud so you could talk.  Lauren was having a wonderful time, especially when she was dancing with Devin.  He could move with the best of them and he held onto Lauren as if he wouldn’t let go.  They went to sit back down for a break and drank more champagne.  Pretty soon, the DJ played a slow song, no words, but the song was romantic. “This sounds like it should be danced to,” said Devin.  He turned to Lauren.  “Would you care to?” “I’d love it,” said Lauren.  She grabbed his hand and they walked to the floor. “Let’s not leave them alone Jo,” said Rich.  “Absolutely,” answered Joann.  They went to the floor to join them. Devin and Lauren got to the floor, held each other close and swayed to the beat.   Lauren whispered, “Is it me, or are we the only ones in the room?” “It feels like it is,” he responded.  He held her even tighter.  Lauren noticed Joann and Rich dancing to the song as well.  The she went up and asked Brad to dance.  They went to the floor and started to dance as well.  All Lauren could feel was happiness.  Here she was, in one of the hottest nightspots in the city, dancing with one of the most charming men she had ever met, and she had one of her closest friends, as well as some new ones.  Nothing else could top this, she thought. The night went on—dancing, talking, and drinking more champagne.  Lauren could feel the buzz coming on, and thought she should call it a night.  The others felt it coming on too. “I don’t know about you all, but I think it’s time to go,” Joann said.  “Cinderella needs to go back home before her coach turns into a pumpkin.” “I think so too,” said Rich.  “Let’s get the car and go back.” They got their car and headed back to the hotel.  They got out and waited at the lobby. “All I can say is thank you guys,” said Joann.  “I had an amazing time.” “So did I,” remarked Lauren.  “I haven’t had this much fun in a long time.” “Neither did we,” said Brad.  “We have been cooped up in that studio for so long, we needed to get out and let some tensions go.” Lauren went to Devin.  “Thank you for a great time, especially dancing with you.” “I didn’t want to let go,” said Devin.  “I wanted to stay there forever.” “Me too,” said Lauren.  She looked at Joann.  “We should get a cab and go.” “Why do you need a cab?” asked Brad.  He motioned to the driver.  “Please take these ladies to the South Ferry Terminal.” “No problem,” said the driver.  He opened the door for them. “Well, later,” said Joann.  She got into the limousine. Lauren kissed Devin goodbye and hugged the other guys, then got into the limousine.  Joann let out a long breath.  “I’m going to tell you one thing.” “And what is that?” asked a happily tired Lauren. “If you let this one go, I’ll kill you and lock your body in the studio closet.” “Mmm-hmm,” Lauren could only mutter.  She was lost in her thoughts as the car drove them home. Part VI Contents Part IV