“Don’t make any mistakes, just see what happens.” she suggested.
I smiled.
“That is exactly what I plan to do.”
“Have you met anyone else?”
“Sort of. Not really, it is just the son of the fashion designer, he is quite sweet, and I think he has fallen for me big time.”
“Is he hunky?”
“Jenny, he is massive. He must be about six-six, and built like a brick shithouse. But he is very sweet and gentle.”
“Uh-oh. Careful girl, you are getting complicated.”
“Tell me about it. So the way I see things, I will stay neutral and let them fight it out.”
She laughed.
“I wish I was there.” she said.
“So do I. How’s the hotel?”
“Very busy. I am working full time, and even Dad misses you. We are so short of waitresses.”
“My waitressing days are over.” I said.
“Lucky you.”
At that moment Simon and the guys returned. I waved at them.
“Mike’s back, do you want to talk to him?”
“Oh yes, please.”
“Take care, and wish me luck.”
“I do. May the best man win.” she said, and giggled.
I gave the phone to Mike.
“It’s Jenny. I thought you would like to speak to her.”
He grinned and took the phone.
I turned to look at the two men in my life. They both looked very hunky and handsome. Both were six foot, and blond, both filled their tuxedo’s well, and looked fit. I smiled, as this was a really tough one.
“You guys look fantastic. I fancy you both.” I said.
Dave grinned and Simon went red and looked at his feet.
“Lets go to the bar and wait for Mike to catch up with us later.”
Now the drinking ages in the States vary, but I was seventeen, and everyone knew it, but Dave was under twenty-one as was Mike, so they couldn’t drink, but Simon could.
We sat at a small booth, and Simon ordered the drinks. I selected an OJ, as I knew that it would be a long evening, and I did not want to lose control. I excused myself and went to reception, and booked the boys a room on the same floor. I then rang the FBI and told them my plans for the evening.
We arrived at the restaurant in time for the booking, and found it was one of the most fashionable in town. There was a line outside for hopefuls, which we casually strolled past. We were shown to our table by the Maitre de, who spoke with an outrageous French accent.
He made a great play at pulling my chair back for me. Many heads turned as we entered, and I was conscious of being the single girl surrounded by three gorgeous men.
“Merci beaucoup, vous êtes très genre.” I said to the Maitre de. He looked at me sharply and then smiled.
“Il est un plaisir, Mademoiselle.” he said, in flawless French.
We were given menus and Simon took the wine list. I saw the prices, they were mostly in three or four figures.
Dave and Mike were in a completely alien world, and it was a world in which I was becoming increasing familiar, and one in which Simon was well used to.
We ordered our food, and Simon ordered a couple of bottles of wine. I persuaded the lads that a couple of Buds would not be the best things to ask for. The food was a long time coming, and brilliantly presented and superbly cooked. The portions were not that generous, but then one wasn’t paying for quantity but the quality.
I sipped one glass of wine, and the lads demolished the rest. I watched, and saw that Simon was drinking water. He was a shrewd one, that’s for sure. He saw that I had seen him, and he raised his glass of water to me. I smiled, and looked away.
When the meal was over, Simon and I fought over the bill, and I let him win. We then took a cab to Flames. Dave and Mike were happy, bordering on very happy. It wouldn’t take much to render them legless.
We arrived at Flames, and once again walked straight past the line of ‘ordinary’ folk, all queuing to get in. We found Natasha acting as queen bee surrounded by worshipping admirers.
The music was loud, the lights were bright, and the drinks were very strong and very expensive. I started dancing with Dave, and after a few drinks, found myself with Simon, as Dave was ‘having a little rest’.
He and I stuck to water, and after another hour, I saw that Mike and Dave had indeed reached the legless stage. Natasha had started strong, but even her tolerance to alcohol had slipped, and she was wrapped round her current paramour.
The music slowed, and Simon’s strong arms encircled me, and we danced very close for a while. I felt safe and secure, and he was so damn gentle.
He was so tall, that I was staring at his bow tie, but he bent towards me, and started nuzzling my neck. It felt very nice, but I saw Dave sitting, semi-comatose by the table, with Mike asleep with his head actually on the table.
“Simon.”
“Hmm?”
“Enough, Honey. Not the right time or place.” I said. Honey? Where the hell did that come from?
He straightened up, and looked at me, then at the table.
He smiled, a little sadly, and nodded.
He took me back to the table, and I glanced at the two sleeping beauties. It was nearly one o’ clock in the morning.
We gathered up our two wayward children and left. Natasha was out of it completely. I flagged down a cab, while Simon held up the boys. We travelled back to the hotel, and he even helped me put them to bed.
I went back to my room, and he followed me. He watched as I checked in with the FBI, and he started to laugh.
“What?” I asked, as I put the phone down.
“You are the most amazing person.”
“Why?”
“You are so calm and collected, yet so loyal, so true. Sandi, I never believed that anyone could be as wonderful as you.”
“Oh, Simon, you poor schmuck. I’m not really.”
“I love you, Sandi.”
“I know.”
He nodded.
“Is there a chance that you could ever love me?”
“Yes. I do a little already.”
“Really?” he asked, looking hopeful.
“Oh yes. But I am torn, as I think I love Dave too. And I don’t want to hurt either of you.”
“You wear his ring.”
I smiled, and looked at my right hand.
“Well, you haven’t given me one yet.”
“Would you like one?”
I smiled again.
“Simon, I am not ready for a serious relationship. I need to stop the world and get off for a while first.”
“Hey, you are the first girl I have ever met I feel that I could grow old with, so take all the time you need.”
“Oh Simon, why are you so bloody lovely?” I said, and started to cry.
“Hey, why the tears?” he said moving over to hold me.
“Because I can’t choose.”
“You will have to eventually.”
“I know. But I’m only seventeen, and I am not ready to yet. Is that a crime?”
“No. It isn’t a crime. But us guys like to have things straight.”
“And I don’t?”
“You can’t have your cake and eat it.”
“Bollocks, what else do you do with cake?”
He laughed.
He was still holding me, and it felt good.
“Simon, why do you guys like me so much?”
“Because you are honest and true, intelligent and funny.”
“What about my looks?”
“They’re okay, I guess.” he said, smiling, and I punched his arm. It was like hitting a brick wall.
“Seriously, we love you because you are just a lovely person, and you make us feel good.”
I felt so torn. It was awful.
“Well, I’m going to bed, if you want to stay, there is a spare bed.”
“Do you mind?”
“If I minded, I wouldn’t offer.”
“Okay, I will stay, thanks.”
I kissed his cheek.
“Goodnight, sleep tight.” I said, and went into my room.
I undressed, and went into my bathroom. I looked at myself, and tried to see myself as others saw me, and couldn’t. I was just me, a crazy mixed up kid, who had been through a hell of a lot, and probably had more to come. I cleaned my teeth, wiped my face with cleanser, and brushed my hair.