LAINEY pulled her Mercedes in front of the mansion. She stared through her windshield at the intimidating home. Every time she came here she felt out of place. Everyone inside was involved in a drama she was not privy to. So she watched the interactions and tried to figure out the dynamics, but still hadn't sorted it out to her satisfaction.
She pictured the look on his face when she asked him out. Mouth dropped, eyes bulging. He might even laugh.
Muttering, "This is crazy," she dropped her head onto the staring wheel. It let out a honk.
"Ahh!" she said, popping upright again.
Someone knocked on her driver"s side window. "Can I help you?"
KELLY strutted, her heels making a clicking sound every time they hit the docks. She had dressed to kill. And, considering what family this guy came from, it wouldn't hurt to talk some lessons at the local gun range soon.
Her black mini dress was cut low, over it she wore a black trench coat. She stopped, pulled out her cell phone, and looked for the contact she had added before leaving home. Her roommate had given her the number.
When he answered, she said "Hi, it's Dr. Lee. Kelly. From General Hospital. Can we meet for a drink?"
EMILY greeted the guard with a friendly smile, using her oh so innocent eyes to talk her way inside.
She had searched her mind for a guy to ask to this Charity Ball. Someone she could trust to treat her right.
The guy she settled on seemed like a safe choice. He might even win the Hottie award once he was decked out in a tux. Maybe.
Emily bit her lip as she walked into the living room. God, this is nuts. I need to have my head checked.
His face registered surprise when he saw her.
"Hello," she squeaked out.
LIZ carried Cameron into Kelly's Diner. She lugged her purse, a leather tote bag with some toys and snacks for her son, and a shopping bag in her other hand. Her face was hot from lugging all of this from the children's clothing store she just left. Before that she had worked a full shift at the hospital.
Her life seemed to be moving at a mile a minute these days, always changing and mostly letting her down. Like the men she knew.
A string of four letter curse words ran through her mind. Men suck! And I am not going to that stupid Ball.
But the idea of paying for all those drinks at the next girls night made her immediately rethink that position.
Mike spotted them and said, "You two look like you could use a treat. Cookies and milk coming up."
Lulu was sitting at the counter, she turned and smiled at them. "Hey, Cammie. Come to your Aunt."
She took Cameron from Liz. Liz set down all her bags and eased onto a stool.
They all chatted for a while. Then a male voice, from behind them, said "Just the woman I was looking for."
Liz and Lulu both turned to face the man. A flirty smile played on his lips.
"What do you want?" Lulu sneered at him.
His voice low, his eyes on the brunette, he said "I was speaking to Elizabeth."
ROBIN, with determination in her eyes, walked across the room and tapped the shoulder of the man she picked to ask to the Ball. The room was filled with people, a few she knew well, one who was related to her. But she kept her focus on her goal.
"We need to talk. Now." she said. Nodding at a nearby room, she said "In there."
He raised an eyebrow but followed her inside.
With a easy tone, he asked her "Dr. Scorpio, what can I do for you?"
"Date me."
His brown eyes widened. "Excuse me?"
"I need a date. And you are it." She watched his face go from stunned to intrigued. And that is when Robin knew she got her Hottie.
Note- take your best guesses as to who the men are. The next 2 chapters reveal their identities.