Page 46 of St. Lucia Escapades
“Moira, there you are darling.” Greg gushed, kissing her cheek. “I was wondering what was keeping you.”
“Sorry, Cord called as I was getting ready.” Moira replied.
Greg let out an appreciative sigh, “You are lucky. That man is a delicious specimen.”
“Hey, hands off.” Moira teased, causing them both to laugh.
The second Moira and Greg met; they had hit it off. He was sweet, funny, smart as a whip and an overall nice person. “Moira, if Cord even hinted that he was at least bi, you would have a fight on your hands, but seeing as the man is straighter than straight, you have nothing to worry about. Now, I came across a few people who I think you should meet.”
Cord
Cord walked out of his office and toward the club area. The music was in full swing and from what he had seen on the security monitors, the place was packed. However, there was only one person he was interested in seeing tonight and that was Moira. He entered the bar area from a door to the right and quickly spotted Kat and Larry. Not long after the concert, Collen and Cord approached Kat about taking over for Larry. She was thrilled and accepted.
“Hey there boss.” Larry greeted.
“Hey Larry, Kat.” Cord nodded.
Kat grinned knowingly, “She’s not here yet.”
“That obvious huh?” Cord chuckled.
“If I see Moira, I’ll either take her to you or flag you down. Why don’t you go have a seat and I’ll send one of the waitresses over with a drink?” Kat suggested.
Cord knew there was nothing more he could do but wait. Nodding to Kat and Larry he made his way through the crowd toward the owner’s table that he and Collen kept at each of their locations. Taking a seat, he leaned back against the plush cushions and took in the scene before him. The table gave him a full view of the dance floor and bar. He had always loved to people watch and that’s what he did now. Watched men hit on women, women hitting on men, couples flirting and dancing, friends out for a night of fun and drinks.
“Here you are sir.” A soft voice broke through his thoughts.
“Thanks…Karina? Karina Lomax?”
“It’s me.” Karina grinned. “You seem to be doing pretty good for yourself these days.”
“I guess. What are you doing here?”
“Uh, I’m working.”
Cord chuckled, “I see that, but I meant in New York. Last time I saw you was at graduation and you couldn’t wait to be rid of me and The Big Apple.”
Karina sighed and perched a hip against the table, “Yeah. Cord, I’m sorry for that day. I was angry at myself and said a lot of things I didn’t mean. You had this plan and seemed ready to take on the world. Me? I had a degree yes, but no job prospects. Out of our little group I felt like I was the only one of us with no plan, no future, nothing. I took it out on you and I’m sorry for that.”
“Karina, you don’t have to apologize for that. We’re friends and sometimes friends hurt each other. It happens.” Cord smiled, “So, other than working here, what brought you back?”
“I got a job offer as a personal assistant for a CPA firm on Wall Street. The pay is good, but out of tax season, things are a little slow, so I figured why not pick up a little extra cash. I work one night a week and every other weekend. At least, until tax season starts, then I’ll see where I stand.” She explained.
“That’s great. I meant about the CPA firm. You always were good with numbers.”
Cord wasn’t sure what exactly happened next. One second, he and Karina were talking and laughing like old times and the next he found his arms full of Karina and her lips pressed against his. When he finally came to his senses, he gripped her upper arms and pushed her away and jumped to his feet. “What the hell were you doing?”
“That’s what I’d like to know meself.”
Cord spun and found a very pissed off Moira and an equally pissed off Kat.
Moira
“Moira!”
Moira turned and found Kat hurrying through the crowd toward her. Moira just laughed when the other lady gathered her in a bear hug. For such a petite woman, Kat had some strength in her arms. “Hey Kat.”
“So, how was the tour? Cord said it looked like you killed it.” Kat gushed.
