Chapter 12

"I knew it! I knew it! IIIIII knew it!" Penny exclaimed. "You two did have a thing going on back then."

"Oh no. We didn't have a thing back then," Amanda quickly responded.

"Well, not one we wanted to admit," Lee clarified. Lee and Amanda shared a sweet smile.

"Well, when did it happen?" Penny questioned.

"It happened in June. We were in Paris together for work. We had a huge argument, and I walked out on Lee."

"I was being a jerk as usual," Lee added. "She scared me to death, though. She ran off in a city she'd never been in before, and she was gone for over an hour. When I finally found her, she'd made her way back to the lounge in our hotel."

"He apologized and asked if we could go somewhere and talk. I didn't want to stay in the hotel, so we went to get something to eat and took a walk. We put our anger aside and talked things out. Finally, we both admitted our true feelings for one another. And the rest, as they say, is history."

"Wow, that was only a few months ago, and you're already engaged," Rheza queried.

"We've known each other for almost a year, and we both knew we loved each other early on. But, as we said, it just took a while to admit it. So if you figure that time in as well, it really wasn't that quick. Besides, if you know it's right, why wait?" Lee supplied.

Penny interjected, "Well, I knew there was something between you two, and I'm glad you both have finally figured it out. I think you're perfect together, and I can't wait to spend this week getting to know you better, Lee."

"The feeling is mutual. So, with that in mind, what does the schedule look like this week?" Lee inquired.

"Actually, this is more of a vacation than it is a work trip for us," Rheza explained. "It's the only way we got away with not having our guards come with us. However, I do have one meeting on Thursday at the UN, and the rest of the week is all ours to enjoy."

Amanda gave Penny a mysterious look. "It seems you've taken my advice, Penny. I'm happy for the two of you."

"The trip to Disney World did wonders. Thank you for suggesting it."

Amanda nodded and patted Penny's hand. "You're very welcome. So, what's on the schedule for today?"

"We were just discussing that before you showed up. We thought maybe we'd go to a museum today. There's one that just opened a couple of years ago. It's an aircraft carrier museum. But we do have dinner reservations for tonight, which would be a perfect location for a celebration of your engagement," Rheza mentioned.

"Well, that sounds lovely. Where will we be dining tonight?" Amanda inquired.

"We'll be dining at Windows on the World, which is on top of the World Trade Center."

Lee gave an impressed look. "Very nice. It's hard to get a reservation there. How did you get one on such short notice?"

Rheza smiled, "We've had it booked for four months. We just called and added two seats to our reservation."

"Sweetheart, have you eaten there before?"

Lee sweetly glanced at Amanda. "No, I could never get a reservation when I was in town." He turned his attention back to Rheza. "So, for the most part, you're saying this week is going to be a very casual week?"

Penny quickly intervened, "Oh yes. And I'm so excited. I even brought jeans and tennis shoes. It's been so long since I've been able to wear that kind of clothing."

Rheza smirked at his wife and added, "Well, except for the meeting at the UN and dinner tonight. I need to be in a suit for my meeting, and they do have a dress code at the restaurant. But other than that, I will try to be casual as well."

Lee happily suggested, "Well, then I say everybody should change into their casual clothes, and we get this vacation started."

The foursome went to their separate bedrooms to change for the afternoon. Soon they were entering the town car and headed to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

"Rheza, stop fidgeting," Penny scolded.

"My beloved, it's these jeans. You know I've never worn them before. It's going to take a little to get used to them."

They all shared a laugh as the car drove by Central Park when Lee asked a question, "So, how casual are you willing to go on this little vacation?"

"I promised Penny, this vacation would be as close to an American vacation as I could give her. Why do you ask?"

"I'll show you. Driver, can you pull over at the next stop, please?"

"Lee, what are you doing?"

Lee smirked as the driver pulled over and stopped. Lee got out of the car and jogged into the park. The three that were left in the car watched with intrigue. They saw him stride up to a vendor cart and talk to the gentleman.

They couldn't see exactly what he was doing because of the angle, but soon Lee was headed back to the car with something in his hands. Lee got back in the car and handed everybody a bottle of water and a foil-wrapped item.

Lee raised an eyebrow at them. "You can't experience New York, without having a Dirty Dog, now can you?"

Rheza frowned and examined the odd-shaped item. "What is it? Am I supposed to eat this?"

"Of course you eat it. It's a hot dog with the works. Trust me." Lee snickered.

Rheza slowly unwrapped the foil, rotated the item around several times, shrugged his shoulders, and raised it to his lips. Taking a small bite at first, his eyes lit up. "Wow! This is great. I'm impressed."

"See, I told ya. Now, you're a real New Yorker," Lee boasted.

They all shared a laugh and a smile as they enjoyed their impromptu meal and continued to the museum.

Several hours later, Lee and Rheza strolled out of the museum chatting about everything they saw, like two kids in a candy store.

Penny and Amanda stayed behind them, chuckling. Penny nudged Amanda and stated, "I think they found something they have in common. Don't tell Rheza, but I had more fun watching the two of them."

"Your secret is safe with me because I felt the same way."

A little later, they were back at the hotel. As the elevator doors opened to their suite, Lee and Rheza were still talking about the museum. Amanda and Penny tried several times to change the subject but failed miserably. They knew they needed to do something quickly.

Amanda interrupted, "Rheza? How long do we have before we need to leave for our dinner?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Amanda." He examined his watch. "We've got about an hour and a half before we have to leave."

"Perfect. That gives us enough time to shower and get dressed. I don't know about the rest of you, but I could really use a shower," Amanda confessed.

They all agreed and went their separate ways.

They arrived at the restaurant with only a few minutes to spare. The hostess waved her hand. "If you'll please follow me. I'll show you to your table." As they reached their table, she continued, "Here you are. I hope this meets per your request."

Rheza pulled out a chair for Penny as Lee did the same for Amanda. "Perfectly. Thank you."

Amanda glanced out the huge windows right next to their table. "Oh my gosh. Look at this view. Is that the Statue of Liberty?"

"Yes, it is, Amanda. Have you ever seen a more beautiful sight?" Rheza questioned.

Amanda slanted her eyes at Lee and answered, "Actually, I have. But this is a close second. The view we had in Paris of the Eiffel Tower was exquisite."

"I imagine it would be," Rheza smirked at Amanda, then at Lee. "I hope this will be sufficient for a celebration dinner?"

"It's more than enough since none was needed. But we do appreciate you including us," Lee thanked Rheza.

"It's great to have another couple to talk to. We haven't been able to do this in a long time. I hope this is something we can continue. Maybe the two of you can come visit us in Zakir some time."

"Oh, I would like that very much. Lee, what about you?"

"I think that's a great idea, honey."

The waiter approached with a bottle of champagne. After inspecting the label to make sure it was Dom Perignon, Rheza nodded at him. The cork was popped, and glasses were filled.

They all reached for their flutes as Rheza toasted, "To Lee and Amanda. Love is just a word until someone special gives it meaning. And love reminds you that nothing else matters. Penny and I wish you both the happily ever after you both so richly deserve."

The two couples clinked their glasses and saluted, "Here, here."

Rheza added, " And Lee, please remember to always listen to Amanda. More often than not, the woman is always right."

All of them took a sip, and Lee responded. "Thank you. That was beautiful, and I'll remember your advice."

They shared a chuckle and began to peruse their menus.

The next hour or so was spent chatting about nothing special. Just four friends getting together and enjoying each other's company until it was time to head back to the hotel.

Back at The Plaza, Lee and Rheza were still talking about the museum in the library, which gave Penny and Amanda some time to themselves in the living room.

"So, Penny, did you pack a sexy nightgown?"

"I thought you said it was better without the sexy nightgown."

"I did say that, didn't I?"

They both giggled. "Oh Amanda, I'm so happy for you. Lee is a lovely man, and you can tell he loves you with all his heart. The way he looks at you. Not to mention, Lee held your hand all day. He's rubbing off on Rheza. He took my hand for the first time in a very long time."

"Thanks, Penny. It took us a little while to get there, and we had to break down a few walls to do it. But we're extremely happy. You and Rheza will find yourselves again as a couple. Maybe, even on this trip."

"Oh, I hope so. Things have gotten so much better since Bo is now out of our lives. Plus, things at home with the oil rights have settled down."

Rheza and Lee strolled into the living room with empty drink glasses in their hands. Lee probed, "What are you ladies talking about?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." Penny sarcastically answered.

Lee's eyes widened with wonder. "Actually, I don't think I want to know. We were just getting ready to call it a night and wanted to check on you two."

"I am getting pretty tired. We had to get up early to catch our flight this morning. Do you mind if we pick this up tomorrow?"

Penny waved her hand nonchalantly. "Of course not. I should've thought about that, to begin with."

The ladies raised from the sofa and headed towards their bedrooms with their guys. Right before both pairs made it to the entrance of their rooms, Amanda quickly twisted and announced, "Oh, Penny. Just give us a few minutes and ah...give it the gas."