| Author's Note:I really like this fanfic, I'd say its my favorite of all of the one's I have. I think the reason it appeals to me is because its about real life, about people's dreams and the power that friendship can hold in our hearts. I'd say that everyone has at one point had a best friend in there life, and this fanfic basically centers around that. These three women are really amazing and I hope you like how I've depicted them. There not only best friends, but there sisters. They see each other for who they trully are and they accept that. Also, look closely for a new character who is introduced, because HE is going to have a very significant role in the upcoming stories that follow up this one(the Amy fanfic, then the Lita fanfic). Ok I'm gonna shutup and let you get on with reading the latest chapter. I hope your enjoying this fanfic as much as I'm enjoying writing it. Chapter 2......... She was having a good time. Of course she would, these were all people she had known for more then half her life, people she had grown up with. They were all as familiar to her as her own family was. Among them she would always feel safe, secure, happy. But not this night. She was sipping her wine, talking and laughing with Brian Powell, a man she had known most of her life, had gone to school with, and had known he'd always wanted her. Back when they were younger, when she had been in highschool and him two years her senior, he had been popular and handsome, with girls always after him. But he had only wanted her. Of course, being as picky as she was, she had only gone after the MOST popular, handsome, and grown college man, Chad Henry. So Brian had always lived in his shadow. The thought of Chad had her smiling slyly. She remembered him well. He wasn't a man a woman forgot easily. But Brian was speaking and demanding her attention, and then there was Darien, standing nearby with that little slut Molly Powell, Brians curvy and idiot of a sister, in her opinion. Brian was in the middle of finally getting up the nerve to ask her to dinner, something she had been patiently waiting for, when Lita and Amy came running from behind him, then stopped abruptly when they realized people were staring. Or at least Amy stopped and grabbed Lita in her wake. The action made her smile. Amy Stanford, always the well behaved, little daughter, always aware of her place. Lita shook free and hurried forward, Amy behind her."Serena."she stopped and eyed Brian, then placed him."Oh! Oh look at you, Brian Powell, all grown up."she flashed him a quick grin, then dismissed him and turned back to Serena."Come on, there's something you have to see." Amy glared at Lita and her lack of manners, then gave Brian a lovely smile."Brian, its so good to see you. How have you been?" Brian was staring at Lita with obvious disdain because of her quick dismiss, but offered Amy a gorgeous smile."I'm great Amy. You look lovely tonight. I see Darien came too. I seem to remember how he didn't like these parties and always avoided them." "Yes, he did. He-" Lita rolled her eyes and blew out a frustrated breath."Amy! Sorry bud, come on you guys!"she grabbed both Serena and Amy by the arms and dragged them away. Amy, struggling for dignity, turned back and gave him a sheepish look."Sorry Brian. Have fun tonight."when they were back in the house in the kitchen, Amy jerked free."Lita! That was rude!" Serena leaned back against the kitchen counter, grinned with delight."Now whats this all about Lita. And you too Amy. Don't think I didn't see you actually running at me in the middle of a formal party." Lita's eyes were bright."She's here." Serena narrowed her own."Who?" "Barbara Clooney."Amy put in, still miffed. Serena stood up straight, her eyes wide."Your kidding! Barbie?! Barbie the bitch?!" "You bet your ass Barbie the bitch."Serena knew now why Lita's eyes were so bright. They were filled with mischief, with what they would do to Barbie this time, something they had always done. "She had the guts to show at YOUR party, can you believe that?" "Yea, she would do something like that."Serena clucked her tongue, already considering."Well now, she's on our turf here. Then again, everything was our turf."she laughed and placed a hand on her hip, thoughtful. "Thats not all."Amy never could stay angry with them, especially when it came to there arch rival and enemy, Barbie Clooney."She came with Chad Henry." This time Serena's eyes brightened."You don't say? Well now.....well." "Come on, I can't stand being in here when she's out there."Lita was practically rubbing her hands together with joy."Lets go." "Hang on."Serena whipped out a mirror, checked her makeup, then looked at her friends."How do I look?" "You look beautiful."Amy whispered, always awed by her best friends beauty. "Honey, you look fucking dangerous."and Lita meant it. Serena's smile was brilliant."Good. Lets go." They left the kitchen and as soon as they entered the house again, Serena felt Barbie's eyes. They had always given her an odd sensation, a chill and warning of danger. She turned in time to see Barbie, clinging to the arm of the tall and gorgeous Chad Henry, walk purposefully toward them. Serena studied Chad, studied how handsome he still was even now years later, built and beautiful. Large and ranging well over six feet, with thick brown hair and dark blue eyes, eyes that had always held a certain knowledge in them, always known how handsome he was and devastating. He had been one year younger then Darien and had come from a rich family just as Serena had. He had attended college nearby and therefore, when Serena had grown up and he had seen her, it had been pure unadulterated lust heating his intense eyes. There's had been a relationship that had stretched through her junior and senior year, the only man she had ever trully committed herself too for a long period of time. But at the end of her senior year they had both agreed it was time to move on. She would be going to Yale and he would be leaving to Europe, where his father was. They had parted on friendly terms. Chad saw her then and his eyes darkened, narrowed on the quick passion she had always been able to recognize when they had been a couple. Little did she knew the look was meant for another. "Serena,"Barbie purred, stopping before them, her blonde hair pulled back into an elegant knot, her body well defined in a light blue gown that matched her eyes,"Lita, Amy. Well, well, well. What a surprise." "It never is with you Barbie."Lita said smoothly, her smile razor sharp."Hey now, weren't you wearing a dress just like that one at the Governors Ball last month Amy?" Amy studied the gown."Actually, no. Mine wasn't so.....how do you say? Trashy." Barbie bristled with anger, but knew better then to let it show. With these three, it had always been a war, a war she had mostly lost over the years."Well, and I heard about you and Stephen Homes, Amy. Its a shame that didn't work out. You two looked so cozy at the Governor's Ball too." "Yes, it is a shame. If I remember correctly, it was me he chose to take to dinner over your own invitation. That was a shame too."Amy shot back just as pleasantly. "Chad Henry,"Serena breathed, her eyes hot and inviting, her hand coming to rest on his arm,"I didn't think I'd see you here tonight." Barbie turned to glare at Serena, her envy and jealousy of the other womans looks something she had felt her entire life. Barbie herself was beautiful, she could have been the most popular girl, the Captain of the Cheerleading Squad, the Homecoming and Prom Queen, if it hadn't been for Serena. And when she turned to glare she noticed that look in her eye, then in her escorts also, a look he had never given her. Barbie laughed, turned to cuddle against his side."Well yes, he didn't want to come, but I insisted. To see you, my dear. You've been gone for so long, it was a special night." "Hhhmmm, to see me huh? Well then."she ran her tongue across her top lip."I'm glad you did." Darien watched them from the doors leading to the courtyard, a small smile forming on his lips. Oh he remembered Barbie Clooney all right. He remembered her because they had had one night of raw sex, a night he was sure wouldn't have happened if he hadn't been so drunk and mooning over Serena's turning away from him at Amy's eighteenth birthday. But it had happened and he had been relieved to return to Harvard when she had begun following him around. He also seemed to remember her being the arch enemy of those three. He noticed then the looks passing between Serena and that muscle bound Chad Henry and a deep frown crossed his features. He also remembered those two having a relationship, and to his knowing, the only man Serena had EVER had a relationship with. And even though Chad had come with Barbie, he could always drop a visit by Serena if need be. He was walking toward them before he knew it. Barbie's eyes lit when she saw Darein, the memory of there night together coming full force. "Why Darien, I didn't think you'd be here tonight."she couldn't hide the obvious delight in her voice."Your looking so good too, just as well as you did years ago." He came to stand beside Serena and tried not to flinch when Amy and Lita both eyed him suspiciously. They had both caught the meaning in Barbie's words, but if Serena had, she showed no sign of it. "Thanks Barbie, you don't look so bad yourself."he made sure his voice was cool and made sure also to keep his eyes on Chad, who was already staring at him."Hows it going Chad?" "Its going great."Chad had always been a man who didn't care much for competition and thats exactly what Darien Stanford was. Of course, he was used to having no problem at all, between his looks and his money, but the man was on equal footing with him even there. And he was very surprised by how Serena's once sultry gaze was now nervous, how her body had tensed at Darien's appearance."Just thought we'd stop in, say hi to Serena and welcome back."he looked at her once again, let his gaze narrow on her just to see Darien stiffen with anger."Welcome back, sugar." Barbie was torn between wanting to drag Chad away from that tempting, little bitch Serena and speaking more with Darien. And the fact that he had called her 'sugar,' something he had never bothered to call her, was making jealousy roll through her. "Barbie, hey now, don't claw out Serena's eyes there."Lita cut in, amused by the lethal look in the she-cats eyes."Its not her fault your stud wants her. Well, no. Then again, maybe it is. But some things just can't be helped." Amy snickered behind her hand, tried covering it with a false cough."Lita, perhaps we should go-ah-see to the guests." "Yea, we'll leave it to Serena. Now Chad, don't go jumping her in public, might embaress your date there to let everyone see how much your glands are responding to her."enjoying herself immensely, she turned and walked away with Amy, the both of them laughing softly. Chad glared at Lita's back. The woman had always managed to make a fool of him, everytime they were around each other. During his relationship with Serena he had had to put up with her because she and Serena had had the closest of bonds, a bond that even he had known Serena would never give up just because he found the woman annoying. The three of them had always put each other first, and at times he had been angered by Serena prioritizing them, but he had accepted it. Perhaps he wouldn't have been so angry at Lita's remark, but the fact that a beautiful woman made it, and with such ease, no guilt that it was directly to his face, was what really got to him. He didn't think Serena knew, but after the three of them had split to go to college, he had met up with Lita in Europe while she was there vacationing. Lita had been so goddamn wild, so untouched by him or his looks he had become obsessed with her. With Serena it had always been easy. They had wanted each other and that had been that. But with Lita, it had been getting past that uncaring barrier of hers and inside. He had followed her around, annoyed the hell out of her, but become more and more frustrated because she only gave him indulging little smiles and never a piece of her body. It wasn't until he had finally followed her back to her college that she had given in, and let him into her bed. She had informed him that she didn't go after her friends' ex-boyfriends, but for him she would make an exception because she knew for a fact that Serena didn't love him, and didn't care if she did have sex with him. They'd had sex, the best sex he'd ever had in his life. Serena had been great in bed, but Lita was wild, she did anything she wanted, whenever she wanted. And as time passed he had stayed with her, rented an apartment near her, seen her whenever he could. And fallen in love with her. It had just happened, and to his shock, when he told her, thinking she would repeat it to him and they would begin planning there marriage together, she had turned around and run off with the next good looking guy who stepped in front of her. It had hurt more then he cared to admit. And he had avoided seeing her since. Serena saw Chad's eyes follow Lita away and new something was going on. Chad had always found Lita annoying years ago, yet now his gaze had turned hurt and wistful. She intended to find out as soon as she could get away from that idiot Barbie. "Well look at the time, its not that late, but I want an excuse to get away anyway. Nice seeing you Chad Henry, and Barbie, its always a pleasure."Serena gave her a brilliant smile, then turned to follow her friends, Darien excusing himself to follow her. "Are you done avoiding me?"he asked her when they were in the parlor. She gave him a long look from the side of her eyes."Avoiding you? Are you those men who always demand attention from women?"where the hell were Amy and Lita, she thought desperately. He cocked his head to the side, considering her."I'll have to say yes I am, since there's never been a problem with me and women yet." "Vain, aren't you?" "Very."his hands came up to slide around her waist, draw her into him. He merely bent his head and brushed his lips across hers, raised his eyebrows when she slapped her hands on his chest and held him off."Don't bother denying you don't want me as much as I want you. We'd both know it was a lie." She kept her hands on his chest, glared up at him. She hated having the control taken out of her hands, hated having another man take over. And for her, this was a first."I don't care what you say or think, hands off, romeo." "Now I know you don't mean that."he murmured, nibbling along her jaw, up toward her lips, teasing her with his heat. Forcing herself to be strong, she pushed him back."I don't have time for this. I want to speak with Amy and Lita so back off." "You'll have to wait then since there seeing the guests out right now." "Guests?"horrified, she ran out into the main entrance hall and saw Amy graciously seeing them out, with Lita next to her, looking bored by it all. She knew Amy was a delicate person, but she also knew for a fact how fierce she was underneathe. And the fact that Serena wasn't even there standing next to her seeing the guests out also was going to produce a screaming fit from her friend. Forgetting Darien, she ran forward. It was when they watched Chad Henry leave with Barbie that Serena again saw him staring at Lita, but Lita was busy flirting with a man she didn't recognize. Serena whispered to Amy about it and both of them watched him stare a moment longer, then with his shoulders slumped, get into his car. As soon as all the guests were gone, they pounced her."What is going on between you and Chad Henry?"Serena demanded to know, hands on hips. Lita stared at both of them with a blank look."What?" "We saw him staring at you! Chad doesn't stare at anyone like that."Amy pointed out. "Oh shit, fine. I knew you guys would find out one day. We had a thing back my first year in college and he swore he loved me. Guess he meant it cause he's not over it."she said without a care, giving a shrug."But did you guys see that guy I was talking too? Oh God, he's HOT! He's knew around here too, I think I'll try him out." "He fell in love with you?!"Serena couldn't believe what she was hearing. Chad was the last person she had ever thought to fall in love, right after herself. They were both the same in relationships....well, not anymore. "Its not important."Lita's tone had turned cold, the tone she used when something was beginning to annoy her."He's not important. He knows that. I told him that. And I don't want to talk about him anymore." They glanced at one another and thought it best not too."Well then, how about we-"Serena halted when she saw Darien emerging from the parlor, hands tucked into his pockets, his dark eyes on her."We-uh-I-" Frowning, Amy and Lita turned to see him."Oh ya, thats our cue Am."Lita's smile was sly."I think we better leave them alone." "If we must, we must."before Serena could protest, they were gone. She didn't even have a moment to shout after them; Darien was walking toward her already, a small smile on his lips, looking relaxed and not at all nervous as she felt. As a matter of pride she had to straighten her back, put a cool, remote look in her eyes. "Everyone gone?"he asked, amused how she had gone from wary to indifferent. "Yea, everyone's gone. And now its time for me to go too. I have to head on home and get to bed. I have a long day ahead of me." "But you just got back. Aren't you going to rest at all?" She gave him a look."Hotels aren't run on laziness." "And there not run on only you too."he shot back. "I still have to go, I have an early meeting. Maybe we'll see each other again sometime." "Oh no you don't."he reached out and snagged her arm before she could walk past him, bit back his irratation when she looked down at the hand on her arm with disdain. He knew she didn't actually see him in that way, he knew she didn't. He knew how attracted she was to him and even though that was the only advantage he had, he would use it. He had waited years for her, he wasn't going to lose her again. First there would be lust, then there would be love. She would love him in time. She would love him so much it would consume her, as it did him. He would make sure of that. "Your not running away from me again. Not that fast."he yanked her to him, enjoying how her eyes narrowed on the heat of his body."Now Serena, don't be nervous." Those smoky eyes snapped up to his."I'm not nervous." The smile was slow, but devastating enough to have her knees trembling."Well, then."before she could reply he had his lips on hers, pressing warm and firm, his tongue in her mouth. Eyes wide, her hands came up to grip his shoulders, nails digging into muscle, a sigh escaping past her lips. The sigh was what got to him. Soft and full of pleasure, fanning out against him. He tightened his hold on her, drew her closer. The lust, the heat that spiraled between them reminded him of a night so long ago, a night he had never been able to forget. Longing so strong and abrupt had him clutching her tightly to him, had his love bursting from his heart. When he pulled away from her he was glad to see she was affected by him. Her eyes were half closed, her cheeks flushed, her lips parted and swollen from his kiss. He bent and brushed his lips across her forehead, pressed them there. "Have dinner with me tomorrow."he whispered, not releasing her when she jerked. "What?"struggling past the fog clouding her brain, she looked up at him."What?" "Its not unheard of Serena. Two people going out to dinner, sharing a meal and one anothers company."he held back the frustration and anger, kept his expression smooth and shadowed. If she saw how much she could hurt him, how much power one look or one touch had, she would be laughing at him."Have dinner with me." She stared up at him, considering not the offer, but the danger in it. She knew that of all the men she had ever known, he was the only one who had ever been a threat. He could make her question her own heart, unless she kept a firm hold on it. Which had never been a problem for her. Her decision was quick and final. She'd had enough running and hiding from him. It was time to confront. She would give him what he wanted, and give herself what she had desired for years. But out of habit she would have to tease a bit first. "Maybe one of these days. Till then, perhaps I'll see you around."leaning in to give his jaw a teasing nip, she slid out of his arms and walked out the front doors, leaving him standing alone and just a bit stunned. Lita and Amy were outside waiting for her, as she had known they would be. She knew no matter how angry she was, they wouldn't even listen, merely slide over it and into what had happened. Lita was leaning against her car, but straightened when she saw Serena."Hey you look happy." Amy turned and studied her also."You didn't break Darien's heart, did you?"she had had time to think about what she and Lita were pushing her toward and had come to the conclusion that perhaps it was best not to shove Serena in her brothers direction. "No, just gave him something to think about."she left it at that."I have to go guys. I have an early meeting tomorrow with my board tomorrow and I have to have a private conversation with my second in command afterward." "Yes, I have to go too. I have an early patient to see tomorrow." Lita shrugged."Thats fine guys, I still have two days until I ship out." "Where are you headed this time?"Serena hated when Lita went off on her safari shoots. She was gone for weeks, sometimes even months on end, with hardly a word to them. There were no phones where she usually went and therefore no way she could contact them. "South Africa. Sounds exciting, doesn't it?"she had to admit, it was exciting for her. The heat, the animals, the people, the culture. They were all things she loved. She had been there before and enjoyed every minute of it. As the head photographer for National Geographic, she was always going to exotic locations, shooting varieties of people and the animals that inhabited there country. "Exciting, thats a nice way of putting it."Serena walked to her car."Lunch tomorrow girls, don't forget. At the usual restaurant on the wharf." "See you there."Amy got into her car. "Yea, see you there." Serena was done with the meeting with the board when she asked Kennedy Steele to stay so she could have a word with him. He nodded and sat again, looking fresh and gorgeous in his black suit. He was a very handsome man, with dark brown hair and blue eyes, a strong jaw and sharp nose. His features were all sharp, drawn into sharp angles and planes that made him look dangerous, yet sophisticated at the same time. He was large in build, ranging well over six feet, about six foot three to her own calculations. And he was built solidly, his body well toned and hard with muscle he had built by working out constantly and jogging everyday. She knew what a fitness freak he was since he was always nagging her to get into shape also, even though she already had a killer body. It was odd that from the beginning, when she had first met him, she had thought him handsome and utterly gorgeous, yet not inclined to have any type of fling with him, as she normally did with others. From the moment she had met him years before, when he hadn't been the executive vice president of Carroway Hotels yet, they had become fast friends, and nothing more. "I wanted to ask you to do me a favor."she began, stacking papers and flipping through them, not noticing how he grimaced. "Oh God, I know whats coming."he groaned, letting his eyes close with revulsion. She looked at him quickly, then laughed."Yea I'm sure you do Kennedy." "Ken. Its Ken. You know I don't like it when you call me Kennedy." "Of course, it slipped my mind."she grinned at him. He grinned back."Slipped your mind my ass." "As much as I would love to have you sticking around for the rest of the day, I have something for you to do. I need you to go out to Carroway Tokyo. Were having problems out there with the staff, with the Orchards, with the Hotels, with the Executive Director. Jesus."she rubbed her temples."Were having a hell of a lot of problems out there." He studied her."I thought you were going out there yourself, first thing next week." "I was."she thought of Darien and the night before."But something came up. I want to stay here longer. I've missed my friends. I haven't spent enough time with Amy and Lita lately, and Lita's leaving again in two days." "Really?"he leaned forward."How is Amy?" "She's doing fine. She looks great. Working with her patients, no boyfriend again. The last one was a real looker, but a jerk." "Amy always did have bad taste. What about Lita? When am I going to get to meet Lita?"he had always found his curiousity peaked at the mention of Serena's wild friend. "I doubt you'll meet her this time."she stood, checked her watch, and flinched."Shit. I'm late for our lunch. Listen, get going out there to Tokyo by tonight. It bothers the hell out of me to have them ringing my phone off the hook with there problems." He also stood."Sure thing. I'll take care of it. I think I'll pass through Europe and check them out on my way back too." She nodded as they walked out of the large office and down the hall."Do that, you'll be saving me a lot of time if you do." "Anything for my one and only."he leaned in and gave her a friendly kiss."I'll call you when I get there honey." "I'll wait till then sugar pie."laughing, she got into the elevators as the doors slid closed behind her. Ken was still on her mind when she pulled up at the small restaurant located on the warf, the restaurant that they had been going to for more the half there lives together. She spotted Amy and Lita's cars already parked outside. Smiling because she knew Lita was probably gnawing on her nails with impatience and Amy was calming her, she decided to reapply her makeup before going in. Once done, she got out of her car and, seeing a group of handsome men walking by, all wearing no shirts, only shorts, she flashed them a quick flirtatious smile. She was pleased when they all stopped in there tracks to stare at her, dressed in her little skirt and white blouse. Giving them a quick wink, she sailed in through the double doors. "Finally!"that was Lita, standing to glare at her as several people turned to stare at her. Most were men, admiring her, then seeing Serena, staring at her, mouths gaping open. She and Amy were seated at a table outside on the patio, but Serena could still see them, the sun shining down on them."Its about time! Your twenty minutes late!" "I'm fashionably late."she corrected as she made her way to them. When she was seated she placed her order and ignored Lita's glare."So, hows it going?" "It would be going better if you weren't so damn late." "Sorry, I really am, but I had to reschedule the meeting with the board, and then added to that it ran a bit late."she pushed her long, silvery hair back from her face."Come on Lita, don't look at me like that." "Yea, your full of excuses." "And Ken? How is he?"Amy cut in, hoping to get rid of Lita's sulky mood. "Oh he's great. He's heading out to Tokyo tonight though, and then going through Europe after that, so he won't be back I imagen for a couple of months."she smiled at the waiter when he brought her a drink, enjoying how his face turned red."I sent him off to do my job." "Because of Darien."Amy stated it as a fact. Serena stopped drinking to look at her friend."Yea because of Darien. Amy, your ok with that, aren't you?"she set her glass aside and took her hand."If your not, then I'll go instead and....I'll leave him alone." Amy knew if she told Serena that it did bother her, then she would do exactly as she said. She knew how loyal Serena was, but she also knew how long Darien had been waiting for her. And her brothers happiness won out in the end. Looking at Serena, she studied her. And maybe, just maybe, something would blossom between them that would surprise her, but more importantly, surprise Serena. "Don't worry about, its ok. Darien can handle himself."and, Amy mused, handle you along the way if he knows how. "Yea, he's a big boy. And a hunky one at that."Lita wiggled her brows. Amy rolled her eyes."Please, I don't look at my brother and see what other women do." "Yea, enough about him."Serena waved the thought of him away, annoyed that even when he wasn't around he was still on her mind. As far as she saw it, this was girl talk and girl time."So Lita, how long are you going to be gone this time?" Lita stirred her straw around in her glass, absently letting her gaze wander about the room, noting how several male eyes were on Serena, hoping to catch her eye. It made her smile."Oh, I'd say a few weeks. Its a piece on the South African people this time, so I won't have to hike into the desert or anything like that. I'll be in contact with you guys." "Thats good to hear."Amy looked out at the wharf, where several boats were docked and she could see Darien's boat shed, where boats were built and a dream was fullfilled. Stanford Boats. She wondered if Serena knew they were so close to him. Just as the thought drifted through, she saw him, wearing no shirt against the blazing sun, only shorts, his upper body tanned a deep brown and rippling with muscle, his arms also lean with strength. He was sweating, his dark hair damp, his face drawn into a scowl as he spoke with one of his men, waving his arm toward the boatshed, obviously angry. Curious now, Amy watched the man shake his head and say something to Darien, then turn and walk away. Darien in turn shouted something after him, then turned back and slammed his fist into the wall of the shed. "Oh my."Amy whispered, worry taking over the curiousity. He turned and saw them then, spotted Amy watching him and Serena and Lita in a heated conversation over the table. He wasn't in the mood to put up with much more of anything. His best builder and old friend had just quit on him and left him without someone to be there to supervise the work while he was gone at the office. It had come down to a conflict of interest and since he owned everything and it all went as he said, the other man had quit. He rubbed a hand over his eyes, then looked again over at the three beautiful women. And his eyes narrowed when he saw a man approach there table and begin speaking with Serena. His present problems aside, he stalked over to them, still bare chested and sweaty. "Look at you, Calvin, I would never have recognized you."Serena flashed him a brilliant smile, the smile that had won over dozens of mens hearts."How have you been? Its been years hasn't it? The last time I saw you was in Paris." He nodded, his eyes trying to take in all of her beauty at once."Yea, it was four years ago. You look great, better then the last time I saw you even, if thats possible." "Oh hell."Lita mumbled, always annoyed with men who were so nervous and acted like such idiots."You two-"she stopped when she saw Darien making his way to them, his handsome face drawn into a scowl. Her smile was instant and sly."Well." "Yes, anyway, Cal...."Serena let her hand slide along his arm, amused at how his face turned red and his nostrils flared."You and I-" "Ladies."Darien spoke, his eyes narrowing when he saw Serena's hand on the man's arm."I'm surprised to see all of you down here this time of day." "Were having lunch."Amy couldn't prevent her smile at the sight of Serena's wide eyes."And look at you, all sweaty and manly." "Hhmm, ya. What a man."Lita leaned over the table, even though he stood below the balcony they were sitting on."Lookin good Dar." "Thanks."but his eyes were on Serena."Not gonna say hi Serena? You had a lot to say last night."his meaning was clear, clear enough to have Calvin stiffening with anger. Not to be out done, and not at all embarressed, she put her chin in her hand, gave him a sultry look from under her lashs."Yea I did. Guess someone didn't keep me busy enough." Darien's laugh was loud and real. He knew she was flirting with him and trying to bruise his ego, but how could he help but laugh when she was challenging him with her eyes. "Serena, I'll give you a call."Calvin glared at Darien, then suffered a bruised ego himself when Serena completely waved him away with her delicate hand. "Sure, do that."she kept her eyes on Darien as Calvin turned and marched away. "Since your down here, how about coming down to the boatyard with me?" She liked watching his chest glisten with sweat, and enjoyed how his eyes were lazy, hooded with desire."I would, but I can't. I have to get back to the office." "Thats a shame. How about dinner tonight?"he wasn't walking away until she agreed to a date with him. "I'll think about it. Maybe-" Impatient with the both of them, Lita cut them off."Just go on a goddamn date with him Serena. Quit playing games with him and just do it already." While Serena glared at her, Darien had to cough to cover his laugh."How about it?" "She'll do it. Pick her up at her house, you know where it is."Amy spoke rapidly, smiling at her friends gasp."Tonight at eight." "I will not-" "That good for you?"Lita spoke over Serena. Darien nodded."Sounds good. See you tonight sweetheart."giving her a quick grin, he turned and walked away. Serena watched him leave, then turned to her friends."You two-" "Did you a favor."Amy leaned back and smiled at the waiter as he brought them there orders, pacing each of there's before them. She waited until he was gone."If we hadn't done something, you'd keep toying with him until the next new year." "Amy's right. We did you a favor. Now you can tell us both if he kisses well."Lita said as she cut into her steak. "I could have told you two that seven years ago."she sniffed, pleased when they both froze and stared at her. "Is that so?"Amy calculated and quickly remembered."The night of my birthday? My eighteenth birthday party? Something DID happen that night?" When Serena didn't respond, Lita slapped her hand on the table, causing there glasses to jump and people to stare."I knew it! I just knew it! Didn't I tell you Amy? Didn't I tell you?!" "Hhmm, so you did."Amy studied Serena and considered what this new piece of information meant. It seemed that Darien had frightened her friend so much that night she hadn't even wanted to speak of it with them. "So tell us then,"Lita leaned toward her,"does he kiss good?" Serena sipped her wine, deliberately prolonging the answer."The best I've ever had, and that was seven years ago." Lita nodded, her smile and eyes wicked with delight."I always knew he would. I knew my Dar would come through." Serena didn't answer, recalling that night and wondering if perhaps she wasn't crazy in agreeing to all this. Stay tuned for Chapter 3!~sailorperfect@yahoo.com |