The Prince Charming Hoax (15 page)

Roxie smiled back.
“
I do, and we have.
”
She stood up and walked over the get some plates of food for them.
“
Belle, do you work in the business with Nicky and D.J.?
”

“
Not any more. I did the bookkeeping when they got started, but now they
’
re too big and an accountant took over the job.
”

“
So, are you working now?
”

“
Working or working out?
”

Roxie laughed as she handed Belle a plate of snacks. Belle had more than a fabulous shape; she was toned and tight. Her abs were flat as a board, belying the fact that she had two children. She had well-defined legs and arms, and not one ounce of flab jiggled anywhere.
“
You certainly are a walking advertisement for the gym,
”
Roxie said appreciatively.

Belle placed the plate on the small table next to her chair.
“
I
’
ll save this for Nicky. Thanks for the compliment. I
’
m a physical trainer, so I guess you could say I have to be my own best advertisement. I certainly can
’
t be munching on this stuff.
”

“
A physical trainer? How did you get into that?
”

“
After I had Little Nicky, my body didn
’
t bounce back the way it had after Adriana was born. So I started working out. I liked what it did for me. I felt good about myself and how I looked. I was at the gym so much that people started asking me advice about what I was doing and what they could do. So, I took some classes and now I make money doing something I really enjoy.
”

Roxie nodded her head enthusiastically.
“
That
’
s great,
”
she said.
“
I know just what you mean. I really love what I do, too.
”

Just then D.J. and Nicky came out with two pitchers of martinis on a tray.
“
I see you girls wasted no time getting to know each other,
”
Nicky said. D.J. reached behind the bar and set up four glasses, garnished two with olives, two with limes and poured the drinks.
“
Grey Goose with a twist for the ladies. Tanqueray dirty for the guys,
”
D.J. said as he poured the drinks, handing the vodka martinis to the women.

“
To a great evening,
”
he said and everyone clicked glasses.
“
Let the party begin!
”

Nicky sat on the end of Belle
’
s lounge.
“
So, what were you girls chatting away about?
”

“
We were talking about what we do during the day,
”
Belle said as she got up and headed toward the house.
“
D.J., do you have anything in your bachelor fridge that isn
’
t fattening?
”

“
Yeah, yeah. Let me get it. Sorry, I forgot. I picked up one of those trays at the store. You know, with veggie sticks and low-fat dressing.
”

Belle put her hand on D.J.
’
s arm.
“
Thanks. Sit. I
’
ll get it.
”

D.J. stretched out on the chaise next to Roxie
’
s.
“
Sure seemed like you girls were getting along. I knew you would.
”

Roxie nodded.
“
Belle was telling me how she got started as a personal trainer. Do work out, too, Nicky?
”

“
Not much. I get most of my exercise on the job. I lift weights a couple of times a week, or when I can. You look like you take pretty good care of yourself. And you eat real food,
”
noting that Roxie was nibbling on crackers and cheese.
“
How often do you work out?
”

Roxie put her plate down.
“
There
’
s a gym in my condo with some equipment and a sauna. I
’
m not there enough to really take advantage, but I try to get on the treadmill once in a while. Mostly I run around all day long, so I guess I burn off the calories,
”
she shrugged and continued eating.

“
Lucky you,
”
Belle said as she returned with her veggie plate.
“
Since having kids, I have to count every calorie.
”
She motioned for Nicky to slide over on the lounge and she sat close to him, placing the tray on her other side.
“
You know, D.J., I
’
ve barely had a chance to see Nicky since you guys got back this morning. How was the trip?
”

Roxie ears perked up. D.J. had been away! She turned to D.J. to see how he would respond.

“
You know, our usual.
”
He sat up sideways in his lounge and leaned over toward Roxie, putting his hand on her thigh.
“
Every year, Nicky and I do our guy thing for a couple of days. We shoot over to Bimini in my boat, rent a fishing charter, load up some coolers with beer and supplies, and spend time out on the water without phones, away from the outside world. Two days is usually enough. Then we come back, bored with the quiet life, sick of each other, and jump on our women.
”
He winked at Roxie as he ran his hand up and down her leg.

“
Speaking of that, Belle was already gone this morning when I got home. Then tonight the kids were around, and we had to get ready to come here,
”
Nicky said as he drained his glass.
“
I
’
m hornier than a toad.
”
He stood up and refilled everyone
’
s glass with more martinis. Then he walked over and started up the hot tub.
“
This should be ready by the time we finish the next round.
”

He walked back and sat down behind Belle, straddling the chaise. He put his arms around Belle and pulled her close to him, so that she reclined with her back pressed against his chest. He brought his legs up next to hers, and the two of them relaxed comfortably on the chaise, his hands resting inside her thighs.

D.J. pulled gently on Roxie
’
s hand.
“
Come inside with me a minute. I had some dinner from the seafood restaurant down the street delivered before. Help me put everything on dishes to bring out here so we can have something to eat while we
’
re in the tub.
”

“
Go ahead,
”
Nicky said, as he nuzzled Belle
’
s neck under her braid.
“
But that
’
s not exactly what I have in mind to chomp on right now.
”

Roxie noticed Nicky
’
s hand had traveled up inside Belle
’
s shorts leg, and his fingers were in her crotch. She looked closer to be sure what she was seeing. Belle
’
s tiny tennis shorts hitched up, and there was little left to the imagination.

“
I
’
ll help you, D.J. I was just going inside to the bathroom anyway,
”
Roxie said as she got up, and the two of them headed toward the house.

“
Wow,
”
Roxie giggled once they were inside the kitchen.
“
I felt a heat when I met them tonight, but I had no idea he was that hot!
”

D.J. took her in his arms.
“
Is that what you think, that Nicky
’
s hot?
”

“
I sensed a warmth about them when they hugged me, but I thought maybe I was just still steamy from our little tryst in the doorway. Now I
’
m guessing it was a little of both.
”

“
So, you
’
re all right with it?
”

“
What do you mean exactly, D.J.? With what?
”
Roxie suddenly realized D.J. was testing her, and she wanted to be sure she understood the question.

D.J. looked directly in her eyes and ran his hands down her sides, cupping her breasts briefly before circling her waist.
“
Look, Rox. You
’
re a hot woman. You know I
’
m a sexual guy. I hang with people who are very open about their sexuality and having sex.
”

“
I
’
m still not sure what you mean. Open about having sex in general or in front of each other?
”

D.J. motioned for her to look outside at his friends. Belle was turned around so that her long legs straddled Nicky
’
s waist. Her head was thrown back as they couple rocked violently back and forth on the chaise. D.J. turned Roxie
’
s face away from the scene outside so that she was looking at him.
“
Open about having sex in front of and with each other.
”

Roxie
’
s heart pounded as she felt her pulse race.
“
Do you mean like threesomes and switchies?
”
she asked, wide-eyed.

D.J. smiled one of his rare smiles.
“
For all your sexiness, Rox, sometimes you look and talk like a little girl. Yes. All of that and more.
”

Roxie felt an adrenalin surge. So, this was D.J.
’
s secret life. Now she could hear as well as see Nicky and Belle outside. The couple were grunting and groaning. Belle finally shrieked as Nicky grabbed her butt and gave one final thrust, yelling
“
I
’
m coming.
”
Then Nicky leaned back on the chaise, with Belle still on top of him. Roxie could see their bodies heaving as they held each other and kissed.

Roxie turned her attention back to D.J., who was watching her closely.
“
Look Rox,
”
he said.
“
There
’
s no right or wrong answer here. You
’
re either into it, or you
’
re not.
”

“
But we do this as a couple, right?
”

“
I
’
m with you the whole time, baby.
”

Roxie recognized the physical sensation she was feeling was the excitement she craved. She glanced down and saw her nipples were hard, standing up pertly through the soft fabric of her blouse. She felt moist between her legs and knew she was ready.

“
The hell with the food. Let
’
s get into that hot tub.
”
Having said that, she was out of her clothes in an instant. D.J. kissed her hard, then released the drawstring of his pants, pulled his shirt over his head, and grabbed her hand as they joined the party outside.

Chapter
14

Leah curled up on the couch, watching the sun set over the Intracoastal from her exquisite perch in the Vanderholt
’
s living room. But not even the beauty of the moment could distract her from her self-imposed punishment of reviewing her failed love affairs. She shook her head as she remembered the string of dating fiascos. She thought back to a day three years before when she was waiting to pick up Ali after acting lessons. Lydia, the drama coach, called her inside the office to have a cup of tea.

Lydia and her partner, Philip, directed shows for the community theater, and they offered acting classes to supplement their income. A former actress, Lydia had impressive credits from her short career on Broadway and had studied with many of New York
’
s theater greats. Posters and photos of Lydia in her former glory were tacked up all around the office. Leah wasn
’
t sure if the display was a testament to the actress
’
s credentials or a half-hearted attempt to cover the bleak beige walls.

Motioning for Leah to sit, Lydia handed her a cup.
“
Leah, are you seeing anyone special?
”

Leah slowly stirred her tea and took a moment to savor the fragrant brew. She wondered if this was a casual question for conversation sake, or if Lydia had a motive. Leah had been divorced long enough to smell a fix-up in the works.
“
No, I
’
m afraid all the
‘
special
’
guys are taken,
”
she said.

“
Sounds like you
’
re not enjoying being single.
”

“
I have no problem being single,
”
Leah said.
“
In fact I enjoy the independence. It
’
s dating that I
’
m not enjoying.
”

Ali burst into the office.
“
Mommy, Philip wants me to audition for the lead in
The Diary of Anne Frank.
Can I?
”

Before Leah had a chance to answer, Philip stuck his head in the office door.
“
Leah, I
’
m glad you
’
re here. Could you come see me before you go?
”

Leah nodded.
“
Lydia, thanks for the tea. I
’
ve got to get Ali home. She still has homework to do.
”

“
Leah, hold on a second. Ali, wait outside a minute for your mom, please.
”

Ali nodded, then leaned over and whispered to Leah,
“
I think Philip likes you, Mommy. He
’
s been asking me all kinds of questions about you.
”
She gave a Leah a big smile and a peck on the cheek before leaving.

“
Did Ali say something about Philip?
”
Lydia
’
s voice was sharp.

“
Nothing important. Was there something else, Lydia?
”

Lydia broke into a smile.
“
Well, I have a friend I think would be perfect for you.
”

“
Hmm,
‘
perfect
’
is such a high expectation. What
’
s he like?
”

“
Tom
’
s from New York originally, but he
’
s been here about twenty years. He
’
s nice looking and in good shape. Works out every day. Want to meet him?
”

“
I don
’
t know. Tell me more,
”
Leah said.
“
Single, separated, divorced, kids? What does he look like?
”

Lydia smiled.
“
Dark hair and green eyes, about five-foot ten, I
’
d say. I
’
m not sure if he
’
s divorced, but he doesn
’
t live with his wife and kids, that I know. He
’
s probably around forty-five or so. How
‘
bout if I have him come here and you can meet him?
”

“
If he
’
s here, I
’
ll meet him, but no promises.
”
Leah got up and put the teacup on the desk.
“
I have to get going, Lydia. Thanks for thinking of me, though.
”

Leah found Philip surrounded by the usual bevy of young, adoring female acting students. He was a good-looking actor and model. His charisma was lost on Leah, though. There was something about him that she didn
’
t trust. He was a bit too slick for her taste.

“
Hey, Philip, I only have a minute. What did you want to talk about?
”

“
Leah, have you considered sending Ali to any theater programs this summer?
”

“
You mean like summer stock?
”

“
No. Many of the national theater companies offer special summer programs for young teenage students. Summer stock is more for college students.
”

“
I
’
d only be interested in programs that offer scholarships, Philip. Did you have something in mind?
”

“
I can think of a few right of the top of my head, but let me research it some more. I
’
ll call you and let you know what I find out.
”

“
Sure, and what
’
s this about an audition for
Anne Frank?
”

“
You know, Leah, if it were up to me, I
’
d give Ali the lead without an audition. Although she
’
s older than the part calls for, she
’
s small enough that it would work. But this is community theater, and the open auditions are judged by a panel. I think she has a good shot, though. She should definitely try out.
”

“
That
’
s fine with me. Let me know about the summer programs. I
’
ll see you next time.
”

“
I
’
m looking forward to it, Leah.
”
Philip
’
s gaze into her eyes didn
’
t waver.

Leah turned abruptly and walked toward Ali, who was watching them from the front desk.

“
See, I told you he likes you.
”
Ali nudged Leah as they headed for the car.

“
Ali, please. You think everyone likes me.
”

“
Why wouldn
’
t they? You
’
re beautiful. So, what did Philip want to talk to you about? A date?
”

“
No, not a date,
”
Leah mimicked Ali
’
s teasing tone.
“
He wanted to talk about you, missy.
”

“
What about me?
”

“
Some summer acting programs. He said he
’
d get us some info. We
’
ll see.
”

Leah pulled into the driveway of their townhouse, grateful that the end of the short ride gave her an excuse to end the conversation.
“
We
’
ll talk more about it later, Ali. I
’
m tired, and you have homework.
”

The phone was ringing when she opened the door. Ali ran to answer.
“
It
’
s Lydia, Mom. For you.
”

“
Hi Lydia, did I leave something there?
”
Leah started checking her bag.

“
No, I just spoke to Tom, and he
’
s dying to meet you. He
’
ll be here on Wednesday night. Can you make it?

“
Fine, see you then.
”
Leah hung up and started to think about what she would wear to the meeting.

* * *

Leah brought Ali to the theater a little early on Wednesday so she could talk to Philip about the summer programs. When she went into the small office, Philip was alone.

“
Hi, Leah! Come in and close the door.
”

Leah saw his eyes run the length of her body. She sat down in the chair opposite the desk and placed her purse in front of her, uncomfortable with his uncontained stare.

“
What did you find out, Philip?
”
Leah looked at the desk to see if he had any brochures to show her.

“
Lydia tells me Tom Ryan is coming here to meet you tonight.
”

“
Philip, didn
’
t you say you had information about summer programs for Ali?
”
Leah was annoyed. What business was it of Philip
’
s who she was meeting, and why did Lydia tell him about it?

“
Yes. I have a whole folder. Here,
”
he said and handed her the file.
“
You know if it weren
’
t for Lydia, I
’
d have asked you out a long time ago, Leah.
”

“
What are you talking about?
”

“
You do know that Lydia and I live together, don
’
t you?
”

“
No. And I don
’
t care, you cheating dirtbag. What is the matter with you people, anyway?
”
Leah was fuming, realizing that the meeting with Tom was probably Lydia
’
s jealous attempt to make her unavailable.

Leah threw the folder on the desk.
“
I have to go, I—
”

Just then Lydia pushed door wide open.
“
What
’
s going on in here?
”
she demanded, looking at Leah.

“
That
’
s what I want to know, Lydia. Why didn
’
t you tell me about you and Philip? Why were you so dishonest about wanting to fix me up with your friend? You both make me sick!
”
Leah started to storm past Lydia, but Lydia grabbed her arm.

“
Leah, wait. I told you Philip and I were partners.
”

“
Partners, yes. To me, that means business partners. If you were living together, why didn
’
t you say so? Just so you know, Lydia. I
’
m not the slightest bit interested in your lowlife boyfriend. But I thought you and I were friends.
”

“
Leah, I
’
m sorry. Please don
’
t run out. Tom is here. He
’
s in the back of the theater, waiting to meet you. Don
’
t let this spoil it for you.
”

“
Look, forget the whole thing. I
’
m out of here. Tell Ali I
’
ll be back to get her after her last class.
”
Leah ran to the exit and out to the parking lot. She was just about the point the clicker and unlock the car door when she heard someone call her name.

“
Leah Gold?
”

Leah spun around. A dark-haired man with a white V-neck sweater and jeans was coming toward her.
“
Yes?
”

“
I want you to know that I think it
’
s pretty rude for you to leave, knowing I came here to meet you. I closed my shop early and you can
’
t even take a minute to poke your head in and say hi. Who the hell do you think you are?
”