Reflections of Hope
Chapter 1
Monterey, California
In the days following her eighteenth birthday party, she was left alone for sometime. Serena had left to Yale and Lita had left a few days after her to her photography school. Amy had yet to begin school, but she was already feeling the lonliness of being seperated from her two closest friends.
She knew they would see each other again in a few weeks, but even that didn't help. It was the first real time they would be seperated for months, but she had known this day would come for years. They all had there own dreams to follow, there own places to go. Serena would be carrying in her parents footsteps and taking over Carroway Hotels, Lita would be following the wildness in her heart and becoming a photographer, and her....well, she would become something that would make her parents proud.
She wondered sometimes why life had been so easy on Darien. The oldest son of a Senator and his well brought up wife, Darien had always been so cocky, so sure of himself and where he belonged in life. Nothing or no one could ever take that from him, no one could ever make him question himself or the fact that he had to make his parents proud. For him, it had always come naturally. Anything he did, anything he touched, turned to gold.
For her it was different. She did excell in school, only due to the constant studying she did. She was an excellent softball player, Captain of the Team with a dresser full of medals, but that she'd done for her parents as well. She was there daughter, second born and there was much expected from her.
She would do her best to live up to her parents expectations.
She remembered now how her first boyfriend hadn't exactly been perfect. He'd been somewhat of a trouble maker and she'd seen the frown in her father's eyes, the disapproval. It had hurt her to leave him because she had cared for him, but she didn't want her parents disappointment. She wanted them to always be able to say she was there daughter with pride.
Her mother had been confused as to why she had dumped him, saying she had noticed Amy was extremely happy with him. She had been, but that wasn't enough. It would never be enough.
She went down to the beach, sat and watched the waves crash, the sun lift high into the sky and shine down its brutal heat. She wasn't sure how long she sat there, until she heard someone approaching her from behind. She turned to see her older brother Darien coming toward her.
His head was bent against the fierce winds, his dark hair ruffled by it, his hands tucked into his pockets as he made his way to her. Patient, she waited.
"Hey kid."he greeted her, smiling faintly when he settled down next to her.
She knew something was wrong with him, had been wrong with him for the past few days since her party, but she wouldn't push the issue. All she knew was that it had to do with her best friend, Serena."Hey. Nice day."
"Yea, summers coming to an end."frowning deeply, he let his mind wander."So, hows Serena doing?"
Even though he asked casually, she could hear the interest beneathe."She's good. I just talked to her last night. She says its nice over there."
"Nice huh?"he rubbed the back of his neck a moment.
"Darien, how much longer are you going to hide out here?"
He looked at her sharply."Hide? Who's hiding?"he stood and put his back to her."I just wanted to spend some extra time at home for a while."
"Are you on a break from school then?"
"No....no I'm not. I just....oh hell! I'll go back to school then since you can't stand me being here!"he turned to march off, but she stopped him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I'm just curious as to why you've been home since my party and so....I don't know, so touchy."
His blue eyes sharpened, focused on some memory she couldn't see."I have a lot on my mind."he turned and smiled at her."But you don't worry about it, I'm fine. You'll be going to school soon and have your own problems, trust me. I do think its time I went back to school, finished and....."he looked down at his bare feet, kicked up sand."I've been thinking of Europe a lot lately. Maybe I'll head out there."shrugging, her turned and left her.
She watched him go, knowing something had to have happened between him and Serena, but neither of them was saying a word. Serena had bottled up after that night and stayed away from Amy's home. As for Darien, he had been home and broading all the time, unnaturally angry to the point where almost anything set him off.
Sighing, she turned back to the sun, watched the blinding rays another moment, then turned and headed back to her home.
Eight Years Later
Monterey, California
Amy Stanford was rushing through her day. She had several patients she had to see in and out by five, rush home after, then shower and change so she could attend a formal dinner party being thrown by her older brother Darien, and his wife, Serena. Serena had called her to tell her she wanted her and Lita to get there early, that she had something important to tell the both of them, and she wanted them to know before anyone else, even Darien.
Amy had agreed, only because she could tell by the excitement in her friends voice that it was indeed important. Biting back a groan, she had told her she'd be there by six.
She left the office, maintaining a calm exterior as she had handed some files to her secretary, although she had wanted to run as fast as she could out of there. She checked her watch and swore under her breath. 5:25.
She drove home quickly, ran into her apartment, showered and quickly dried her hair, put on a smooth, navy blue gown that clung to her lovely curves, put on diamond earrings and a matching necklace, then applied her makeup very lightly. Slipping into her heels, she grabbed her purse and rushed to her car, rolling her eyes when she checked her watched and it read 6:15.
It wasn't Serena she was worried about. Serena was always 'fashionably late,' as she put it, but Lita was another matter. Lita couldn't stand when someone was late. She paced, she swore, she shouted until she calmed. Knowing Serena, she would indulge her temper and the two of them would have a quick spat before she got there.
She pulled up to her old home, now her brothers and his wife's. She slammed the door shut, and ran inside, making sure first that none of the men who were milling about setting up had seen.
She stepped inside, smoothing her short hair down, looking about for a sign of Serena and Lita. She spotted Darien having a word with the cook, already dressed in his black tux and looking stunningly handsome.
He glanced up, saw her, then pointedly looked at his watch."Your about half an hour late there kid."he called out to her.
Keeping her dignity, especially when most of the help turned to look at her, she walked over to him."Where are Serena and Lita?"
"Outside, in the maze. You know, your guys' favorite spot. They were in the parlor, but I sent them outside when there shouting started to distract everyone."
She sighed."Thats my fault. Lita's angry and Serena-"
"Takes advantage of her temper, I know. She has a way with doing that."his eyes turned dreamy at the thought of her. His wife of five months. His life."You better go stop the fight or they'll be going at it the rest of the night."
She nodded and left him there, heading outside. The moment she stepped outside she heard Lita's voice raised in anger, with Serena's own answering her immediately after. She quickly went into the maze and found them.
Serena was dressed in a snowy white gown, with glittering diamonds that sparkled all over it, diamonds at her ears and neck, her long silvery hair cascading down her back in rippling waves. She looked stunning, like a goddess who had just stepped off of the moon.
Lita was dressed in a deep green, low cut gown, her green eyes shining brilliantly as she shouted at Serena, her hair also hanging down her back, wild and thick. The dress accented her curves, showed them off to there advantage.
Looking at herself, she wondered if she would ever be as gorgeous as Serena or as wild and mysterious as Lita.
Shaking herself, she walked forward."I'm here and I'm so sorry I'm late. You guys look beautiful."she went and gave Lita a quick kiss on the cheek first, felt her nearly vibrating with her anger."Your not mad at me, are you Lita?"she went to Serena and gave her a kiss as well.
"Its in moments like these that I realize what a bitch Serena is! I don't know how-"
"So whats the big news you wanted to tell me and Lita?"Amy smoothly cut her off, taking Lita's arm and leading her to a bench in the maze.
The amusement at there fight quickly left Serena's eyes, replaced with excitement and joy."Oh, you guys aren't going to believe it."she sat with them on the bench, taking one of each of there hands in hers.
"Well, what is it then?"Lita snapped at her. Amy noticed with some amusement that Lita didn't let go of Serena's hand, but instead held on.
"I'm pregnant!"she laughed at the looks on there faces, squeezed there hands in hers."Can you believe it? I'm going to have a baby! Me and Darien!"
"Oh, my God! Congradulations!"laughing herself, Lita hugged her hard.
Amy covered her mouth with her hand a moment, not at all ashamed of the tears that were streaming from her eyes."Oh Serena. Oh!"she hugged her as well, the three of them holding one another and laughing with there joy.
Serena was the first to pull away."I just found out yesterday. I'd had my suspicions, but I wasn't sure so I went to the doctor and he said I was."she put a hand to her flat stomache."The moment he told me I felt so....so....I don't know, I felt so many things. I used to think I would never want to get pregnant, but the moment he told me I couldn't even remember why. I was just so happy."she laughed at herself, wiped the tears that had escaped."Oh God, look at us. We've ruined our make up."
"Speak for yourself."Lita's eyes were still glowing."I'm too happy to cry."
"People can cry from happiness as well."Amy said, wiping her tears.
"Sure they can."
"Come on, lets go fix our make up. There's no way I'm going to the party looking smeared."Serena led them back inside and upstairs to her bathroom. She took out her make up and began handing some to Amy."I need my own bathroom since Darien says I take up too much room. I'd rather have it that way anyway."
"When are you going to tell him?"Amy smoothly applied compact, then brushed across the eyeshadow.
"Tonight. I just wanted to tell you guys first."Serena expertly repaired her make up, snapping her compact shut and putting it away."After the party, I think. I mean, I just don't want to tell him during the party cause then he'll go crazy and start telling everyone and...well you know guys know what I mean."
"Unfortunately I know exactly what you mean."Amy said.
Lita considered the idea."I could get you back for that fight and let it slip to him."
Serena turned on her."You wouldn't!"
"Your right, I wouldn't. Thats something you have to tell him, not me. But its a nice idea."Lita tapped her finger against Serena's nose."I'll be sure to keep it in mind the rest of the night blondie."
"So where is Ken now Serena?"Amy quickly cut in, hoping to distract them from another fight.
"Tokyo. Again. The executive directors are always complaining out there, so I sent him. He likes to go anyway because he stops by Milan on the way back."she glared at Lita another moment, then looked back at Amy with a beautiful smile."Guess who's coming tonight?"
"Who?"Amy checked herself in the bathroom mirror once more before they headed out, smoothing her short cap of black hair.
"Always the gossip queen."Lita commented, watching the two of them primp.
"Gregory Knight."Serena pointedly ignored Lita."You remember him, Darien's friend. He came a couple of months ago, then left back for Europe because he had a few loose ends he needed to take care of. He's back again and this time for good."
Amy remembered him. Ken and Darien both described him as dark and dangerous, a mysterious man, yet also a reliable one who had earned both there respect. He had left before she could meet him and she hadn't even thought of him once since then.
"Well thats good to hear."she picked up her purse and followed them out, the three women walking down to the hall and the stairs together."I'm glad I'll finally be able to meet him."
"I think he's perfect for you Am."Serena studied her friend, recalling Greg in her mind with a small smile. The man was absolutely gorgeous, tall and dark, built as tough as a rock, and dangerous, which was even better. Amy only went out with polished, snotty men that she couldn't stand half the time. It was time for her to let go and have a fling with someone like Greg."Maybe the two of you could go out sometime."
Lita also pictured Greg in her mind from when she had last seen him and grinned. The man was as handsome as sin."Yea, that sounds like a good idea."
"No thanks you guys, but I'm already seeing someone. Didn't I tell you guys? His name's Dr. Thomas Harding. His father and mother were also doctors and extremely well known. There retired now but-"she stopped when Lita yawned and Serena giggled."Does he sound that boring?"
"Oh no. I mean, he sounds better then that last guy you were dating. What was his name Serena?"Lita squinted her eyes and tried to remember."He was the Chairman of the University or something, wasn't he?"
"Sidney Parcel."Serena quickly supplied."The most handsome, but boring professor."
"Sidney was a smart, distinguished man."Amy said stiffly, then seeing the grins on each of there faces, relaxed."Ok, so he did bore me a time or two."
"I think Greg's what the doctor ordered."Lita nodded, spotting him at the bottom of the stairs with Darien, the two talking and laughing."And here he is."she went before them."Greg, hot stuff, look at what you do for a tux."
"Lita."he grinned, so quick and gorgeous, Amy had to blink a moment."Your looking beautiful, as usual."he kissed her cheek, then turned to Serena."Ah, the one I let get away. Your lucky you found her first Darien or I would have stolen her from right under your nose."he kissed her on the cheek as well.
"Who says you don't still have a chance?"Serena purred, laughing when Darien narrowed his eyes on her."Look at him, isn't he cute? I always manage to get his back up."she gave her husband a quick, smacking kiss.
Amy managed to compose herself before he turned to her. She had had a moment to study him as he had exchanged quick hellos with her friends. He was tall, the same height as her brother, and built like a fighter. His hair was short and black, his eyes just as dark, the features of his face strong and sharp, giving him a dangerous, almost violent look. He had, quite literally, taken her breath away.
When he turned and saw her, she saw the quick surprise in those dark eyes, the flash of interest, then watched them darken with something she wasn't sure she wanted to recognize. Darien had already told her he was a boatbuilder, one of the best, and also a man who had lived the fast life for many years in Europe, making money by racing his boats. He wasn't her type in the least, even if he was one of the most handsome men she had ever seen.
"Oh Greg, meet my little sister Amy. Amy, this is Gregory Knight."Darien said, still eyeing Serena as she smiled innocently at him.
She held out her hand."Its a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard only good things from everyone."
He took her hand and to her shock, raised it to his lips and kissed it softly, gently."I'd heard of you too, but no one told me how lovely you are."
Serena and Lita were delighted, but Darien was frowning deeply, distracted from Serena now.
Amy smoothly took her hand back, kept the smile plastered to her face even as the room seemed to suddenly become hot."Thank you, thats kind of you to say."
"Its not kindness, its honesty. Are you seeing anyone?"he took a step closer, angled his head at her even as Serena managed to drag Darien onto the dance floor before he said something and embaressed Amy.
Lita snuck away as well, winking at Amy, who was now stuck with this tall, dark man."I'm sorry, but thats a personal question, Mr. Knight."
He raised a brow at her."Mr. Knight? Call me Greg. And I don't think its too personal. It will benefit me if your not."
She stiffened her back, let her eyes cool."Since you insist on knowing, yes I am. So please don't embaress either of us more by continuing with this."
"Embaress? I'm not embaressed. Are you?"she was a lovely, cool one, he thought. He was used to women like.....well, like Lita. Full of wildness and fire. But there was something about Amy Stanford and the way she looked down her nose at him. The moment he had seen her he had been enchanted. Her eyes were large, a deep blue like Darien's, her skin the color of ivory, her lips small and pink, her nose small as well. She was slim, but the dress she wore showed what killer curves she had.
She watched his eyes move up and down, bit back the urge to want to cover herself. Instead she kept her eyes on his."I don't embaress that easily. Now if you'll excuse me, I have other friends who are here and I'd like to speak with."she turned and walked away, heading over to some friends she recognized from highschool.
He followed her and gripped her arm, leading her onto the dance floor and sweeping her into a waltz before she could blink."WHAT are you doing?!"
"Dancing with you. Now we can get to know each other better, like I'm hoping."he grinned down at her.
She didn't like this, handling a man like him. She was used to sophisticated men who were always gentlemen, who never surprised her."Your a rude man Mr. Knight."
"Greg. I told you my name's Greg. Make use of it."he smoothly led her across the dance floor, spinning them both to the melodeic music."I like the way you fit in my arms."
She gave him a look."I must say I'm surprised you can waltz."satisfied when the grin faltered, she smiled at him.
"The sophisticated society bitch."he smirked at her when she glared at him, shocked."Its all right. I like them fiesty."
"I don't care what you like."she hissed, completely insulted by what he had called her.
Just then Serena and Darien came to a stop next to them, Darien still frowning as he held his wife in his arms."Are you two getting along?"Serena asked, her voice sweet.
Amy opened her mouth to say no, but Greg cut her off."Amy was just agreeing to dinner with me."
Serena grinned."Thats good to hear. Amy knows all of the wonderful restaurants in Monterey, she can help you find one that will satisfy the both of you."when she saw Darien begin to speak, she quickly took over and led them away.
"Why did you tell them that?"she bit out, teeth clenched. When she noticed some people were beginning to watch them with curiousity, she smiled at them, making sure they thought nothing was wrong.
"Darien always described you as if you were this angel, this etheral being who had done the world a favor by being born."he studied her profile, which was busy smiling at others, and gave him a moment to study how perfectly lovely she was."I think he was right."
"Don't try to flatter me, I'm NOT going to dinner with you. I'm already seeing someone and--oh! There he is now."she watched Thomas walk in, dressed in a tux, his golden hair smoothed back and his green eyes searching the room for her. When he saw her he smiled, gave her a little wave."I have to go. I'm terribly sorry to cut this dance short, but Thomas is here. It was a pleasure meeting you Greg, and I hope to God to never have to see you in the future."pushing back when he refused to let her go, she turned and walked off the dance floor to where Thomas waited.
"You look stunning Amy, as always."he greeted her, bending to kiss her cheek."Who was that you were dancing with?"
"Oh, a friend of Darien's. No one important. Thomas, I'm glad you were able to come."she tucked her hand through his arm, the two beginning to stroll out of the ballroom and outside to where the maze was.
Greg watched them go, the golden couple, outside into the night. It pissed him off to see her with someone of her own social standing and to know it was where she belonged. Women like her didn't even glance twice at men like him.
The son of a wife beater and alcoholic. The son of a fishermen and a waitress.
No, rich women like her never looked at men like him.
Still, that gave him an advantage. He was no gentlemen, he was no rich, society prick. He was who he was and she would take him, no matter how hard she pushed. He wouldn't let her turn her back on him.
Following them out into the night, he strode over to them, delighted when Amy's eyes widened."Hey, you left me hanging in there."
Thomas turned, frowning."I'm sorry?"
"The lady and I were dancing and she ditched me to run out here with you. Not very polite, don't you think?"Greg noticed a blonde, dressed in a black, clinging dress, sidle up next to them. Her eyes were on him.
"Amy, darling, you must introduce me to your friend."she purred, her blue eyes smoky and staring right into his.
"Yea, Amy, you must."amused by the narrowing of Amy's eyes, he grinned at the blonde.
"Barbie, meet Gregory Knight. Greg, this is Barbara Clooney."her voice was stiff as she spoke, unnatural anger coming when she saw how Greg and Barbie admired one another.
"Its a pleasure to meet you Gregory."she held her hand out for him to kiss.
Amy took some satisfaction when he took her hand and merely shook it."Pleasure's all mine. You two old friends?"
"Friends? Oh yes, Amy and I go way back."Barbie's smile was razor sharp when she looked at Amy.
Thomas excused himself when his beeper went off, going back inside to make a phone call. Amy watched him go with some regret, although she had known he was on call.
"Barbie and I are not friends Greg. I have the unfortunate luck of having known her half my life."Amy fingered her diamond necklace, hoping Lita or Serena would come and save her.
He ran his tongue around his teeth, watched Barbie turn red with anger."Well that changes things."
Lita came to Amy's side, grinning already."Barbie, you little bitch. Who the hell made the mistake of inviting you?"she spoke with total sweetness.
Serena came to stand on Amy's other side."It certainly wasn't me. Or Darien."she angled her head, her silvery hair falling over her shoulder."Invited yourself again Barb?"
"You bitch. All of you."she whispered vehemently, her nails digging into her palms."Your all just jealous of me. You always have been."
"Ooooooh."the three women said at the same time, none noticing when Darien came to stand beside Greg and watch the little cat fight."Were jealous of her now. Jealous of what exactly? Lets see, the way you still try and throw yourself at Darien, with no success."Lita tapped her finger against her temple, pondering.
"Or the amount of times you've managed to walk down the aisle, always letting it end in happily ever divorce?"Serena added with a smirk.
"Or is it that you always picked up on our left overs? There's Chad Henry...."Amy counted him on her finger.
"Oh, and don't forget Charles, your ex Am."Lita nodded.
"And Sidney Parcel too."Serena said.
"And then there was Samuel Radcliffe."Amy smiled at Barbie when she turned even redder.
"Those men sought me out when the three of you couldn't satisfy them."she shot back.
"Honey, there's not a man from Monterey to the ends of the earth who wouldn't rather have one of us over you."Serena winked at her, deliberately enflaming her anger.
Trying to maintain some dignity, she turned back to Greg."Here's my card."she handed it to him, smiling all the while."Give me a call so we can become better aquainted."with one last glare to the three women, she turned and left them there.
"Three against one. Not very fair odds."Greg commented.
"Fair enough for us."Lita elbowed Amy."You gonna let Barbie get a hold on Greg?"she whispered to her.
"He's not mine to hold."relief washed through her when Thomas returned."Thomas."
"I have to go."grim now, he ran a hand down Amy's short cap of hair."I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you."
She nodded."Its ok."
He bent and kissed her cheek."I'll call you tomorrow."turning, he left her there with them.
"Looks like your boyfriend ditched you."Greg bent to whisper in her ear.
"He was called into work."she snapped."Serena, Darien, I think I'll be heading home as well. I've had a long day and I have another long one ahead tomorrow."
"Go home and get some rest kid. Don't be wearing yourself out."Darien said.
"Am, Lita and I will come by and get you for lunch tomorrow."Serena told her.
"All right, I'll see you guys tomorrow."she touched each of there arms, then without even a glance to Greg, turned and walked back into the house.
"She's something, isn't she?"Lita said when Greg watched her leave.
"Yea, she's something. A real, snotty-"he cut off when Darien cleared his throat."A very kind, cool person. She's lovely."
"Maybe the two of you will run into each other again."Serena wiggled her brows at him.
He grinned."Maybe we will."
Amy was running through her last session with a young, teenage girl who had suicidal tendencies. The girl was making progress, after weeks of weekly visits and perscription drugs Amy had prescribed her. She walked her out, smiling and telling her she would see her the next week just as Serena and Lita walked in, arguing as always.
"Give me just a second."she went back into her office, took the girl's file and gave it to her secretary, then picked up her purse and left with her friends."Where are we eating? On the wharf, as usual?"
"Of course. Unless you want something different."Lita pointed toward her own car, a dodge truck she had just purchased."Were taking mine."
"A truck. I told you to get the jeep instead."Serena climbed in, Amy behind her."This truck is too big."
"I clicked with this guy."she gunned the motor."So Amy, what did you think of Greg?"
"He's a rude, concieted, arrogant man."she immediately shot back.
"And a gorgeous, dangerous, lip smacking one as well."Serena added.
"He's not my type."
"He's better then your usual type."Lita clenched her teeth when someone cut her off on the streets, purposely speeded up and rolled her window down to begin shouting at them.
"Now that we've lost Lita to the everyday problems of road rage, lets continue this between you and me."Serena said cheerfully, even as Lita took the truck up to ninety an hour."Why not just have a quick fling with Greg?"
Amy gaped at her."Are you hearing yourself? I barely know him. I just met him yesterday!"
She waved her hand, took a moment to glare at Lita when she swerved the truck dangerously close to the person she was arguing with."That doesn't matter. If its bothering you that you barely met, then spend some time with him, get to know him. You'll like what you find, trust me."
"I'm already seeing Thomas."Amy reminded her, becoming a little worried when Lita began shouting curses and giving them the finger."Hhmm, maybe we should calm her down."
"Don't do that, she's in her element. Anyway, Thomas is boring and I don't think it would break his heart if you told him you didn't want to see him anymore. You've been dating for what? Five weeks?"
"Four."she muttered, annoyed with her friends for putting her in this situation. She wasn't dense enough to not admit that she had been extremely attracted to him, but the man was NOT her type. At all.
"Stupid son of a bitch."Lita hissed when she came up to the wharf and had to park, watched the man she had been fighting with speed away."If we hadn't come up to the restaurant, I would have fried his ass."
"You did fine Lita, you nearly ran him off the road there."Serena patted her arm, then climbed out of the truck behind Amy.
Once they were seated, had ordered and were sipping there drinks, Serena spoke."Oh, you won't imagen how crazy Darien went when I told him about the baby."
"What did he say?"Amy asked.
"He's thrilled, but now he wants me to cut back on my hours at the office and as soon as it becomes a problem, I can't travel anywhere. Its cute that he's suddenly become so protective, but God, I know in a couple of weeks he'll be driving me insane."she tossed her hair over her shoulder."But I'm happy. His worry gives me an advantage I can use against him."
"Yea, you would think of something like that."Lita saw a tall, dark haired man eyeing her and decided she liked what she saw herself. She smiled back at him.
"Enough about me though, I want to hear what you thought of Greg, Amy."Serena and Lita both leaned toward her.
"I already told you guys what I thought of him."
"What about how handsome he is?"Serena pressed.
"Handsome?"Lita snorted."The man is gorgeous!"she jabbed a finger at her friend."You better not even say you don't agree."
She sipped from her wine."All right, so he is quite breathtaking."
"Breathtaking huh?"Lita clucked her tongue."Yea, he did leave you bug eyed yesterday when you first saw him."
"He did not!"embaressed because Lita had seen that, she whispered meekly,"Was it that obvious?"
"Only if you looked, and I did."
"So your attracted to him then. And he's obviously attracted to you. Whats the problem?"Serena rolled her eyes."Oh I forgot about that doctor."
"I respect Thomas too much to do anything like that to him."but just the thought of Greg and those dark eyes of his had chills moving up her spine.
"Uhg, you and your boring men you just love to date. But then I guess there's not much we can do about it, is there?"sighing and glaring at her friend, she looked past her and noticed Darien's boatshed, a new sign above it now. Stanford and Knight. Perhaps Greg was there, she mused, and it would be in there favor that he came out.
"See that guy at the bar? What do you think of him?"Lita asked, pointing to the man who kept turning to glance at her.
Amy studied him."Good looking guy."
"Yea, maybe I'll go over and introduce myself. I haven't gotten any for a couple of months now because of work."
"Greg!"Serena suddenly yelled out, waving to him when walked out of the warehouse. Satisfied when he spotted them and began heading over, she grinned at Amy."Here he comes."
"Wow, all of this seems pretty de-ja-vue. Didn't we just do this with you and Darien almost a year ago?"Lita asked.
"Your right, we did. Its nice how some things just fall into place, isn't it? Greg, I'm surprised to see you."Serena spoke, bending to kiss his cheek."How are you?"
"I should ask how you are. Darien told me you two are expecting a surprise in another six months. Congradulations."
"Thanks, its something were all happy about. Especially Amy."smoothly, she shifted his attention."Aren't you Am?"
"Of course I am, you know that."annoyed because Greg's dark eyes were focused solely on her, she shifted in her seat."Do I have something on my face?"
"No, you don't."he leaned against the railing to where they sat, the sun shining down on him, his muscles glistening with sweat."You look beautiful."
Lita and Serena both grinned when Amy flushed a shade of pink."Please don't tell me things like that."
"Why not?"
"Because it makes me uncomfortable."
Considering that thought, he waited when the waiter came and brought them there orders, serving them then leaving them alone once again. He spoke just as she stabbed her salad with her fork."How about after this lunch you come over to the boatshed? I could show you around."
"I've already seen it, Darien showed me."
"But Greg hasn't shown you. Let him Am, come on. Don't be such a flake."Serena gave Greg a wink, letting him know she was on his side.
"Unless your afriad or something."Lita raised a brow at her."Or you think he wants to show you around for some other reason then the truth."
Cornered and hating it, she snapped,"Fine, but not until after I'm done."
"Thats a good girl."Serena patted her hand.
"All right, I'll be waiting. Till then."with another slow grin for her, he turned and left them alone there.
Lita sighed as he walked away, the wife beater he wore streaked with sweat and plastered to the muscles of his back and shoulders."What a man."
"If you think he's so gorgeous, then why don't you go out with him?"Amy mumbled, sulking.
"Because he's not my type, he's yours."she laughed when Amy stared at her in disbelief."Isn't that right Serena?"
"Absolutely. He and Lita would have killed each other within a week if they were to go out. But you and him, well thats a different story. Opposites attract, after all."
"I can't go out with him."she snapped, glaring at the warehouse he had disappeared into."And I won't have a fling with him either."
"Thats what you say now, but I think Greg will change your mind."Lita and Serena both grinned at one another as Amy frowned with worry, sipping her wine and thoughtful to what they were saying.
Stay tuned for Chapter 2!!~sailorperfect@yahoo.com