Next stop was TSA. I did the whole ‘hands up’ pose as I was scanned.
“Sir, you’ve been randomly selected to have a full check.”
Great! They took me off behind a screen, and I was told to put my arms out so they could run a hand wand over me. Then I was patted down. I didn’t appreciate being fondled. That was just the beginning of our problems at the airport.
Next, some dimwit left their car running at the passenger pickup area. That caused the airport to go on terror alert and shut down, which only took two hours to straighten out. Then there was even more entertainment. We were all boarded and backing out of the gate when an alarm suddenly rang and there was a commotion in the back of the plane. An elderly woman had thought the latch for the emergency door over the wing was a coat rack, or that was what she decided to use it for. I never realized that if you pulled the latch, the door just falls into the cabin.
They simply shoved it back into the slot and closed the door. Wow. I guess if the alarm quit ringing, we were good to go. There was no reason to check a door that would just fall out like that on a flight from LA to New York. What could possibly go wrong?
◊◊◊
I dropped Frank and Caryn off at the St. Regis Hotel. I received texts from Craig Wild and Bree Steno to let me know they were also staying at the St. Regis. They wanted to get everyone together for dinner to talk about tomorrow’s interviews.
When I arrived at Adrienne and Tyler’s, neither of them was in. They’d left me a key with the doorman and a note saying they’d gone to a shoot that was in trouble. I also had a note from Kara telling me that I was to call her as soon as I arrived. She made the trip up to Adrienne’s condo.
I smiled as I let her in.
“Come here,” I said, pulling her into my arms and kissing her.
I never got over how attractive she was. I think what made her special, other than her incredible body, were her eyes. They seemed to pierce your soul. It was something that put her into a whole different category in comparison to other models.
“I missed you,” she said as she ran her fingers through my hair. “Adrienne told me that you’re doing very well in your new movie. She said she was disappointed, though, that you hadn’t reeled in Hannah yet. I have to agree with her. What’s taking so long?”
“It’s her stupid boyfriend. He seems to be smarter than her last few. I expected him to do something stupid by now, and she could use me as her rebound sex toy,” I pouted.
“That’s what I like. You always have a plan,” Kara said as she kissed me again.
“Speaking of plans, do you have some model friends who’d be willing to go to dinner with some of my movie-star friends?” I asked.
“How many do you need?”
“Three women and two men. Craig Wild is here with his manager Kent, who’s good-looking, according to some girls I know. Bree Steno, who was on that vampire show, and my manager Caryn, and my publicist Frank, who is older, will be joining us for dinner,” I said.
Kara made me get my phone out and show her pictures of everyone. She recognized Craig and Bree when I showed her our group shot for the movie. She got busy making calls while I unpacked. I called Caryn to make reservations for enough people. I had her add two more in case Adrienne and Tyler could get free.
We had a couple of hours before dinner, so Kara and I decided to get reacquainted. She reminded me that if we could ever land in the same area, we would be together.
◊◊◊
Caryn picked Le Bernardin for dinner. She was told they couldn’t accommodate us on such short notice, but she used Craig and Bree’s names to get us a table. It was a Michelin three-star rated restaurant every year since 2005. To make things simple, she preordered the chef’s tasting menu for the group.
Everyone met at the bar in the St. Regis. Kara and I found Craig, Kent, Bree, and Caryn waiting for us, having cocktails.
“I hope it’s okay. I got everyone dates,” I announced.
“Man, I like you more every time I see you,” Craig said.
“I suppose you only lined up dates for the boys,” Bree said as she crossed her arms and glared at me.
Right on cue, the models arrived. It was interesting to see how everyone interacted. Kara grabbed my arm to lay her claim on me. That didn’t seem to slow down a tall blond Scandinavian goddess. She pulled up a chair at our table and bumped into me.
“Excuse me, did you not notice me sitting here?” I asked.
She turned to me and raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, I saw you, but chose to ignore you,” she said, which caused Kara to grin.
“You must like living dangerously,” I said.
“I do, and that’s why I’m talking to you; it’s like playing with fire,” she said and turned away from me.
“There’s nothing wrong with a little casual conversation,” I shot back.
She turned and looked into my eyes.
“What happens when casual conversation turns into serious fun?”
At that, all other conversation around the table stopped, and Kara’s eyebrows disappeared into her hairline.
“You’re good,” I admitted.
“I can promise you I’m better than good. Hi, I’m Donna Nilsson,” she said.
“David.”
“Just David?” she teased.
“It’s a name and title all in one.”
Craig choked on something, and Kent had to beat his back to dislodge it.
“I’ve heard of this David character. Kara has been all abuzz about a feisty guy who was gracing our fair city.”
“Sorry, but if you’re trying to charm your way into anything more than dinner tonight, I’m afraid it’s not going to happen,” I said. Kara reached over and squeezed my bicep in approval.
“Uh, no. I’m not trying to charm my way into anything more than dinner tonight,” Donna said.
“What were you trying to charm your way into?” I asked.
“Okay, that’s enough. Donna, I think your date is here,” Kara said and then introduced her to Frank.
Donna winked at me and then turned her charm on Frank. I don’t imagine he was used to a nearly six-foot blond goddess who was as aggressive as she was. If Kara hadn’t been there, I would have enjoyed verbally sparring with her and everything that her come-ons promised.
After a couple of drinks, everyone seemed to be getting along. I smiled at Caryn because I could tell she was in lust with the living Ken doll she was with. Bree didn’t look quite as happy because her guy seemed to only be interested in checking himself out in any available mirror. When Adrienne and Tyler finally showed up, it was time to go to the restaurant.
Caryn’s forethought of preordering the chef’s tasting menu was perfect. It was a seven-course meal where each course was paired with a different wine. I skipped the wine, and by the end of the meal, I was glad I did. Even with small glasses of wine, the seven wine-pairings had everyone in fine spirits, considering they’d all had at least two cocktails before we got there.
The tasting had a seafood theme. It started with caviar, followed by lobster, seared langoustine and foie gras, salmon, poached halibut, and a surf-and-turf pairing of tuna and Wagyu beef. For dessert, we had coffee caramel crémeux roasted almond mousse. When the bill came, Craig had alligator arms as he ‘tried’ to take it from me. I wish he had. Just the meal for everyone was slightly under $5,400. The tip was $1,000. Adrienne peeked and sucked in her breath.
“Sucks to be you,” she teased.
Even with sunglasses money, that was a lot to spend at one time for a meal.
After dinner, everyone wanted to go off in different directions. I was glad when Adrienne and Tyler said they wanted to go home. They’d had a long day. Kara was more than happy to join us. I needed to get some sleep for the interviews tomorrow.
◊◊◊
When we arrived at the condo, the girls were all giggles. I was a little dismayed when someone opened a large bottle of red wine and served each of them a big glassful. Adrienne and Tyler had missed my exchange with Donna, so Kara had to get them up to speed.