A Couple of Forevers (This Time Forever Book 2) (7 page)

“Let’s just see how it goes.  We don’t have to rush around
doing anything.  We can go sightseeing or we could just stick around the hotel,
hang out by the pool or something.  I did book us for herbal massages and
facials on Wednesday.”

Renee said, “That sounds fantastic!  What time are we
scheduled?  I could get in a yoga or Pilates session and then head to the spa. 
You should join me for a class one day while we’re here.”

“Our body wraps and facials are scheduled to begin at 4:00. 
I think I will join you for a class tomorrow.  After that, I made an appointment
at the hair salon to get my hair cut,” Liza replied.

Renee asked, “Are you going to get it cut the same way as
last time?  That was so pretty.”

Liza replied, “Yeah, very similar, but maybe a little bit
shorter even, and with highlights.  What do you think?”

“Liza,” Renee said, “Anything you do is going to be
beautiful.  Be careful, though.  Remember last time you said Joe couldn’t keep
his hands off you.”  Patting her stomach, Renee said, “You could end up like
me.”

Liza laughed and said, “Joe’s good, but me, having a baby
right now?  Nah – I’ll leave that to you young girls.”

“Mkay, we’ll see,” Renee said, eyeing Liza up and down.

After a short nap and shower, the ladies dressed for dinner
and the 10-piece orchestra show.  When the show was over they walked through
the casino.  “The show was fabulous and I am still stuffed from dinner,” Renee
said.  “You feel like placing any bets tonight?”

Liza eyed the room carefully, “Not tonight, but definitely
coming back tomorrow night.  I might try my luck at the roulette table.”

Once back in their suite, Renee called Elliott.  “We had a
really good dinner and then went to see a 10-piece orchestra.  I am exhausted. 
I think I’ll sleep in tomorrow.”

Elliott said, “Ok, baby.  Get some rest tonight and call me
tomorrow after you wake up.”

After their conversation ended, Renee went to Liza’s room. 
“I’m going to sleep late tomorrow, maybe past noon.  How about you?”

“Me too.  I’ll probably wake up in the morning though and order
breakfast.  Can I get anything for you?

Renee said, “No, thanks though.  I’ll get something after I
wake up.”

Liza said, “You should probably eat something in the
morning.  Remember, Elliott made me promise to take care of you while we’re
here.  I’ll order your usual and after we eat, we’ll just go back to sleep.”

“Okay, thanks.  You know what to order for me.  Sleep tight
and I’ll see you in the morning.”

~~~~

The following evening, after a day of sightseeing and
shopping, Rene and Liza went to the casino. 

“Now Liza, you know I’m not a gambler by any stretch of the
imagination.  I’m going to try my luck at the slot machine for $20.00 dollars. 
After that I’m done.”

Liza laughed and said, “Okay, okay.  I’m going to see what I
can do over at the roulette table.  Wish me luck.” 

Just as Renee was getting ready to cross the room, a tall,
well-built, chocolate man walked up to her.

“Hi,” he said.  “I’m Jonathan Hall.  I couldn’t help but
overhear you tell your friend that you’re not much of a gambler.  I’m the same
way.  I do, though, like to watch others try to strike it rich.”

Renee gave a friendly smile and said, “Yes, it is
interesting to watch.  Oh, well, guess it doesn’t hurt to try.”

Liza, though busy playing the roulette table, was watching
the man who was chatting up her friend.

As Renee walked over to the first bank of slot machines,
Jonathan was right by her side.  He was telling her that he was there for
business purposes, that he leased spaces to high-end retailers in Los Angeles,
and that he would be returning there at the end of the week.  He took notice of
the impressive ring on Renee’s left ring finger, but decided that he would
continue to try to further engage her in conversation, hoping that maybe the
ring was just a diversion to keep men at bay.  She was, by far, the most
gorgeous woman that he had seen in a long time, and in his line of work, he saw
a lot of women. 

“Please excuse my manners.  I followed you over here and
have been going on and on about myself.  What’s your name?”

She smiled and said, “No worries.  I’m Renee.”

“So, Renee, tell me, what brings you to Vegas?  Business or
pleasure?”

Renee knew that Jonathan was flirting with her, so she just
played it cool.  “Just a little get away for me and my friend,” she replied.

“This is definitely a place to get away from it all for a
bit.  How long are you going to be here?”

“Just a couple of days.” 

“It seems like I’ve seen you somewhere before, Renee. 
Please excuse me for being so direct, but I would never forget a face as
gorgeous as yours.”

“I probably just have one of those faces that seems
familiar.  And thank you for the compliment.”

Jonathan studied her for a few more minutes while she
unsuccessfully tried her luck with the slot machines.  “So, tell me, Renee,
what do you do for work?”

Renee explained to him that she was in the skin and hair
care business.

“That’s where I’ve seen you.  My sister lives in New York
City and will only use your products.  She even sends it to our sister in San
Francisco.  So, you’re looking to expand to the West Coast?”

Renee gave a small laugh and said, “Yes, I’m definitely
looking to expand.”

Jonathan said, “Renee, would you have dinner with me
tomorrow?”

Before Renee could answer, the room erupted into loud
commotion and she heard Liza calling her.

Without a second thought, Renee strode quickly up the
carpeted casino to find Liza in a state of laughter and excitement.  Jonathan
was right behind her, curious as to what the excitement was about, but also
very much enjoying the view of Renee’s curvy little body as she made her way to
the action.

“Renee!  Girl, I won, I won.  Get over here, hurry,” Liza
squealed.

When Renee got to Liza, she saw that she had, indeed, won
$11,000 dollars.

“Oh my goodness, Liza, Joe is going to flip!  How in the
world did you do it?”

Liza told Renee that she didn’t have any strategy and that
Lady Luck was definitely with her.

Liza glanced looked up and saw Jonathan standing behind
Renee, eyeing her up and down and back up again.

Jonathan quickly recovered when he realized that Liza saw
him.  He extended his hand to Liza and said, “Congratulations.  Renee and I
were just talking about how exciting it is to watch people try their luck in
casinos.  Makes it more fun when you actually know the person who won.  My name
is Jonathan, by the way.”

Liza smiled and shook Jonathan’s hand.  “Thank you,
Jonathan.”

Liza turned her attention back to Renee and said, “Come with
me to take care of whatever business needs to be taken care of, then I’ve got
to call Joe and you have to call Elliott.  Oh, it was nice meeting you,
Jonathan.”

Jonathan watched as the two ladies walked away.  He had to
see Renee again before she left.

~~~~

Once Renee and Liza returned to their room and had settled
in for the evening, Liza said, “I see you quickly made a new friend.  A sexy,
tall, dreadlocked new friend, at that.  You can’t be left alone for two seconds
before men start swarming around.”

Renee rolled her eyes and said, “Please.  I was probably the
first person that he saw and he just decided to latch on.”

Liza rolled her eyes and said, “Seriously?  You saw how
crowded that place is and you think you were the first person he saw to latch
onto?  No, honey, I saw him looking at you.  He definitely liked what he saw.”

Renee finished securing her locs into a high ponytail and
walked into the living area.  “Well, you saw a lot more than I did.  You have a
really active imagination, you know that, right?”

“I know what I saw,” Liza replied as she slicked moisturizer
on her lips.  Good thing we leave in a couple of days.  Believe me, that man’s
eyes were all over you, Renee.”

“Hey, who said I would be interested in him.  Besides, he
was just making small talk.  And you do remember I’m getting married in a few
days and having a baby in a few months with a man that I absolutely adore.  You
really think I’d be interested in every pretty face that comes my way? 
Besides, there is no one finer than Elliott.”

Liza walked over to the refrigerator and poured a glass of
orange juice for the both of them.  “Okay, okay.  I hear you, honey.  Don’t get
yourself and baby all worked up.  I’m just making an observation is all.”

Renee thanked Liza for the juice and then said, “Well, just
know that I’m not interested in other men, and I’m sure there are other far
more attractive women out there than me to flirt with.  And speaking of fine,
good-looking men, I’m going to call Elliott right now and then I’m going to
bed.  Sleep tight.” 

Liza stood to go to her room and said, “You sorely
underestimate yourself, St. Claire.  Don’t get Elliott too worked up tonight,
okay?” 

~~~~

Once Renee got to her room, she called Elliott.  “How was
your day?  Did you, Joe and Matt get your suits?”

“Yes,” he replied.  “Everything is taken care of, and I
finished up at the office, too.  Now, all I have to do is think about all the
ways I am going to spend pleasuring you on our honeymoon.” 

Renee laughed softly and said, “Yeah, I’ve been thinking
about that, too.  Mmm, the possibilities are endless.  No matter what we’re
doing, it always seems to come together.  You ever notice that?”

He laughed at her double entendre.  “Okay, honey, play
fair.  It’s not nice to get me all worked up while you’re not here.”

Renee replied, “Before I forget, and you may have already
talked to Kim about this, but when we come back, Liza and I are going to be staying
at the Four Seasons Thursday night and Friday night.”

There was a bit of an extended silence.

“So,” Elliott said, I won’t get to see you until Friday
night at the rehearsal?  I was hoping to at least . . .”

“No, you and Joe are picking us up at the airport and we are
going to spend those days together, just not those two nights.”

“Do you ladies have any other surprises for me?  The wedding
is still scheduled for Saturday at 6:00, right?”

Renee said soothingly, “Yes, baby, of course it is.  And
believe me, I can’t wait to be with you.  You’re not mad at me, are you?”

“Of course I’m not mad at you.  I just miss you.  But, as
you said, you’ll be back in a couple of days and we can finally do this.”

They talked a bit more before ending their late night chat
and going to sleep.

~~~~

The next morning Liza was still on cloud nine over her big
win.  “See, aren’t you glad we came here?  If we had just skipped it, somebody
else would’ve had my money.”

Both ladies laughed and Renee said, “You’re right about that. 
So, what’re you going to do with your newfound riches?  Oooo, I know – you and
Joe could use it as part of a down payment on a house in LA.  Have you talked
to him about getting a place here?”

Liza said, “Eh, you heard what he said when Elliott
mentioned it to him.  He said it was too much to think about right now.  It
would be nice if he would agree to it, though.  California is so nice and
different from New York.  I could really get used to it.”

Renee said, “Well, I’m sure you could think of something to
do to sway his decision.”

Liza smiled and said, “We’ll see.  So, what do you feel like
doing today since it’s our last day here?”

“I thought we’d just relax today.  Sit by the pool, have an
early dinner and call it a day,” Renee said.

“Sounds good to me.  Are you going to get in a yoga class
today before we hit the spa?”

“Yes.  Are you joining me,” Renee asked.

“No, I’m just going to sleep in for a bit longer.  After you
finish, we’ll sit by the pool for a bit and then head over to the spa.”

Renee said, “Sounds good to me.  I’m going to get changed
for yoga.  See you later.”

After her shower in the workout facility, Renee decided to
take a quick look in the gift shop.  As she was rounding the corner, she almost
run over by Jonathan.

“Oh, Renee, I’m so sorry.  Are you alright?”

Jonathan’s hands were still around Renee’s waist.  He took
note of her attire – dark blue yoga pants, white, fitted, cap sleeve T-shirt,
and her dreadlocks in a simple ponytail.  She was beautiful without even
trying.  She quickly moved away and said, “That’s okay.  I’m fine.  I just need
to watch where I’m going.”

Jonathan countered, “Nope.  That was completely my fault.  You
sure you’re okay?”  He noted that she seemed to be a bit off kilter.

“Yes, I’m fine.  Really.  No worries.”

“You know, I really would love to have . . . “

Before he could finish his sentence, his cell phone rang. 
Before he could stop her, Renee had excused herself so that he could answer his
call.  She disappeared around the corner into the crowd of people.

After Renee did a bit of shopping, she returned to the suite
to find Liza already in her swimsuit.  It was a brown one piece with a deep
V-neck and a very low back with the sides cut out.  Needless to say, with her
slender frame and limbs, she looked flawless. 

“Boy, Liza, I tell you what – every man here is going to
have his eyes pop right out of their sockets when they see you in that.  Does
Joe know you’re wearing that?”

Liza laughed and said, “Why thank you, and no.  Joe does not
know I brought this swimsuit with me.  I usually only wear it when he is
around, but I’m a big girl.  I can handle this suit.  Besides, I can only spend
about an hour and a half by the pool.  We have our spa appointment and after
that I get my hair cut.”