“And one for Mike.”
“Okay. See you later.”
“Bye.”
Well, I thought. That could have gone better.
9.
The show was held in one of the hotel’s banqueting rooms, with the catwalk stretching across the room and chairs placed all around. There was a small raised platform at one end, and a door leading back to another antechamber, which I used as the dressing room.
The place was packed, numbers no doubt added to by press anxious to see the girl who took out a mugger.
I strutted my stuff, and there was an explosion of flash bulbs every time I appeared. But I found it all very amusing so the smile was completely natural. The make up girl was not as good as Hazel, but together we did okay. I had the hang of what Hazel did, so I took it as a personal challenge to manage my own make up.
About half way through, I saw Dave and Mike appear. Both were looking really tanned and healthy, wearing American football shirts and shorts. I blew them a kiss, which caused some press to glance their way. It was really strange, as I was unsure as to how I would feel seeing him again, but now I did, I felt all warm and fuzzy.
Having him watching me gave me an extra spring in my step, and my smile was even bigger. I flirted with those males I could see, and really enjoyed the second half.
The show was a success, and it was ready to go on the road. Natasha had six to do over the next couple of weeks; in Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, L.A., Miami and ending up at Washington D.C.. As I sat and changed into my own clothes backstage, I wondered how much time I would get to myself.
Natasha breezed in.
“Alex, Darling. You were fabulous, where you got that extra from in the second part, I’ll never know, but everyone is raving about you. I have record enquiries and the orders are flooding in already.”
I simply smiled, and she retreated back to talk to her many admirers. I was wearing a beautiful fawn dress, courtesy of the Kysinski label, and matching shoes. Natasha had given me several really nice outfits from the summer range, just to give her added publicity if I was photographed ‘off duty’.
I had two days in New York before we set off for Chicago, so I intended to spend some of my ill-gotten gains on clothes.
Dave was waiting for me by the door. We stared at each other for a few moments.
Then I was in his arms, and it was as if that was where I was meant to be.
We just held each other for quite a long time, finally he held me at arms length.
“Look at you. Shit Sandi, you have changed.”
“You look good too.”
“Not like you. Bloody hell, you are amazing.”
“Thanks, but it is all in the makeup.”
He shook his head.
“Don’t be daft, it is all of you. It is as if you have blossomed while we have been apart. My God, Sandi, I have missed you so much.”
He drew me close, and kissed me, and I tingled all over. That yearning I had for him before returned, but tenfold. The kiss went on, and on, and on. The passion mounted and I felt him becoming aroused, as I was. I broke off.
“Thanks.” I said.
He frowned.
“What for?”
“Reminding me.”
“Of what?”
“That I think I love you.”
He drew me back in to him.
“Did you ever doubt?”
“I don’t know, possibly. I was so alone. You went away, Dad is still away, and Jenny’s dad chucked me out of the hotel. I just felt left out.”
“Were you really chucked out?”
“Not really, I volunteered to go. After the kidnapping I was under police protection and I didn’t want to bring trouble to the hotel.”
He stroked my hair away from my face.
“You are so beautiful. I can’t believe I went away and left you. I love you so much.”
He kissed again.
Mike came in, and grinned.
“Thank fuck. Sandi, he has been bloody useless ever since we arrived. He kept pining for you, and when Jenny told us about the kidnapping, he was ready to jump on a plane then and there.”
I looked at Dave and he nodded.
“Sweet Dave, you would have done that for me?”
“If I thought I could have done any good. But to be honest, I got to the desk and the price was too much for me.”
“You went to the airport?”
He nodded, sheepishly.
“Oh Dave.” I said, and hugged him.
I broke off after a while.
“How long are you here?” I asked.
Mike shrugged and looked at Dave.
“We’ve no plans. We were in a 7/11 and saw the papers this morning. So I thought we would have to catch up with you. Jenny said you were modelling, and I was gob smacked when I saw you today. You look so professional.” Dave said.
“Well you found me, so now what?”
“I dunno. How long are you in New York? We were going to hang around for a couple of weeks, and then head south to Florida for our last couple of weeks. That will give us a couple of weeks before uni.” Mike said.
“What are your plans?” Dave asked, so I told him my schedule.
“We can’t cover that sort of ground, although it sounds fun.”
“I’ll be busy for most of it anyway.” I said.
The door opened and Simon appeared.
“Hey Sandi, you are wanted.” he said.
“Okay, Simon, thanks. This is Dave Carter, my boyfriend from England. And this is Mike, his friend. Isn’t it great? They saw the papers and tracked me down.” I said.
“Hi Dave. I heard about you.” Simon said.
“Dave, this is Simon Haddow. His mother is the designer whose clothes I’m modelling. Simon was in the carriage with me when we were mugged last night.”
The guys shook hands, but I had to smile as they eyed each other dreadfully. I had never experienced male rivalry on my behalf before, and it was quite flattering.
Simon was bigger than Dave, actually he was bigger than anyone else I knew. But Dave was lean and looked a lot more with it. Simon had a slightly lethargic look about him, as very large guys sometimes had a tendency to.
“Hey are you guys coming to the party tonight?” Simon asked.
“Party?” all three of us said in unison.
“Yeah. There is a party at Flames, it is a nightclub downtown. Didn’t you know, Sandi?”
“Nope, you just told me.”
“Hey, it isn’t too late to rent a tux, so come on, join us.” Simon said. I was amazed, he hardly spoke that much in the entire previous evening.
Dave and Mike looked at each other, and I knew the problem.
“Hey guys, I’ll pay for the suits. Okay.” I said, “Besides, it will give you something to so while I finish up here.”
“Hey, why don’t you come with me? Sandi has a press call and Mom wants her close by for the publicity. So, I could do with getting out and this is as good excuse as any.” Simon said.
Dave gave me a kiss and a squeeze, and left with Simon. I was sad to see him go, but as soon as they were gone, I found myself plunged into the press arena.
It was hectic, and I was surrounded by reporters and photographers. We were moved into Central Park, and I was asked to pose for hundreds of pictures. Meanwhile I was bombarded with questions, from what I ate for breakfast to which sexual positions I enjoyed. My father was also a keen topic, and I tended to blank them. I saw the FBI agents hovering at the sides, looking rather nervous and unsure.
Finally, they decided that they had milked me for everything they could, and I retired to the relative safety of the hotel. Natasha gushed with praises for me, and was totally over-the-top as always, but I felt it had gone really well.
“Have you seen Simon?” she asked.
“Yeah, he took the guys to rent some tuxedos.” I said.
“The guys?” she asked, frowning.
“Yes, Dave and Mike, my friends from England. They just happened to be in town, and dropped in. So, Simon asked them to the party tonight. I never knew about the party.” I said.