Chapter 4

After a short walk to the theatre, the girls walked up to find a massive  crowd awaiting them “ Holy crap C . Would you look at that ? “ Lily gasped as she watched the bright flashing of cameras.  “Where do we go ? “

Claire stood on her toes, trying to glimpse the people standing on the red carpet. “I vote not towards the cameras,” she said, giggling. She spotted a second line that led right into the theater, and nudged Lily to follow her. They made it to the door and showed their tickets, and breathed a sigh of relief once they were in.

They wandered down the aisle, looking for their seats, grinning when they realized just how close they were to the stage. Once sitting, they chatted excitedly, pointing out celebrities in the audience and flipping through their playbills.

Jon, Richie and Tico piled into the theatre , searching the rows til they reached their seats “ Here we go gents “ Jon replied as he filed into row. “ Sellout for the premiere Lem should be doing a jig “ Jon retorted as he slid into his seat.

“He might have more fans after tonight than you do, Kidd.” Richie replied, wagging his eyebrows as Tico snickered next to him.

“Ha ha you’re so funny Dean maybe you should be a comedian as your second career “ Jon replied sarcastically.

Richie chuckled and shifted in his seat, his foot swinging out and kicking the chair in front of him. “Shit, sorry miss,” he said quickly, pulling in his long legs.

Lily jerked when she felt the kick to the back of her seat, she turned around “That’s okay “ her eyes widened when she realized it was the same gentleman she saw earlier from the restaurant . she quickly turned her head , leaned over to Claire and whispered. “Oh God turn around don’t be too noticeable but I think Karma is on our side girl “

“Ooh, more hotties?” Claire whispered as she slowly turned her head, peeking behind them, and stared right into those same bright blue eyes that had been haunting her mind all afternoon. She hunched down in her seat, “Holy shit.”

Richie’s jaw dropped as he recognized the pretty face he had wanted so much to stay and talk to back at the restaurant. He nudged Jon, who was staring straight ahead with the same shocked look on his face. “Dude,” was all Richie could say.

“Okay Dean is this fate or what ? What are the odds of this shit happening ? “ Jon leaned over to whisper . As his gaze fell on the gorgeous redhead from the restaurant . Her reaction was a mirrored image of his .

“No clue man,” Richie replied, still staring at the back of the shorter woman’s head. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

Lily fidgeted in her seat , never in her life did she think she would see him again and now he is sitting right behind her. How the hell am I gonna pay attention to the show now?  

Claire grabbed her friend’s hand as the lights dimmed, “Girl we can’t just let them walk away again, you know that, right?” she whispered. “We’ve run into them a second time in one day. That doesn’t just happen.”

“I know but we can’t just go up to them so we have to make them come to us at intermission” Lily whispered back then slightly turned to cast another gaze at the tall man behind her. “ Wish he would kick my seat again “ she covered her mouth to muffle her giggle.

Claire snorted, then looked around, embarrassed. “If only short stuff behind me could reach,” she giggled. “I wouldn’t mind stealing another glance back there.”

Richie nudged Jon again as the curtains came up and the music began, “Intermission. You thinkin’ what I’m thinkin’?”

Jon smiled at the girl when she stole another glance “Oh yes, I do believe they are interested don’t you ? “

Richie nodded, smiling as he watched the two lean together, obviously whispering. “This could turn out to be a great evening for more than just Lemma,” he replied.

“I do believe you’re right Dean “ Jon leaned forward just mere inches to Claire’s ear “Enjoy the show “ then leaned back in his seat a devilish twinkle shown brightly in his blue eyes.

Claire gasped, jumping slightly in her seat as she felt his warm breath on her neck. “Jesus,” she whispered.

Lily shot Claire a look “ What ? “ as much as she wanted to steal another glance she held steadfast in her seat, gripping tightly to the armrests.

“I kid you not, he just whispered in my ear, told me to enjoy the show,” she whispered quickly, holding in hysterical giggles.

Her eyes grew wide with surprise “You’re shitting me ? “ she answered back then risked a look behind her . “If this keeps up we won’t know what the hell is goin on in the show “

Claire let a giggle escape, “Hell with the show, if this keeps up I’m going to need a panty change.”

“If everything goes the way we want , we won’t need panty’s “ Lily snorted the laughter turned into a cough to cover her apparent amusement.

Claire’s jaw dropped, her smile turning to an almost evil grin as she imagined getting down with the blue-eyed blonde. “Oh, hell.” was all she could say.

The  first half of the show flew by once the girls turned their attention away from the two gentlemen behind them and before you know it . it was intermission.

Lilly stood up slowly, her eyes remained fixated straight ahead as she stepped out into the crowd heading out into the lobby.  “You sure you don’t wanna come ? “ she turned to Claire

“Nah, I’m fine right here,” she replied, winking, and then watched as her friend slowly followed the crowd out.

Richie waited until she had passed and then stood up slowly, making a show of stretching his arms as he turned around and watched her walk out the door. “Hell. Absolutely gorgeous. I’ll be back,” he told Jon, wagging his eyebrows.

Jon smirked “Take your time “

Tico shook his head watching his two friends practically fall over these two women.  Thank god for it too. his buddies had been in a funk for way too long. It was about time they got back on the bike again.  “You know I think I might go find Lem “ he said with a smile then walk off in the direction where David and his fiance were seated.

Claire watched as the cute Latin guy stood up and walked across the theater, chatting with a couple seated on the other side of the room. She knew this just left the blonde sitting silently behind her, and she shuddered, wondering if he would end up talking to her. She chastised herself, not brave enough to turn around and start a conversation. But had been shut down or had picked the wrong guy just too many times in her life and her self-confidence had slowly disappeared over the years.

Jon waited a few moments before leaning up to speak “Hi beautiful see you got left behind too. If you ask me that was very rude of them don’t ya think? “

She jumped yet again as she felt his closeness, turning in her seat to face him, smiling. “I dunno,” she replied slowly, “I think if your friends hadn’t walked out I wouldn’t get to talk to you,” she winked, attempting to sound confident.

“So true baby so true. So do you have a name? “ Jon asked “I’m Jon by the way “ he extended his hand to her.

She took his hand gently, “I’m Claire,” she replied, “Nice to meet you, John. Have you been enjoying the show?” she asked.

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it “Nice to meet you Claire. As to your question yes I am and you ? “

Claire nodded, “It’s really good, and the music is fantastic, I hope they’ll put out a cd” she replied.

He bit back a retort,  She really doesn’t know who are ,Yes I think I am gonna like this Claire , “Oh I’m sure they will . From the looks of things its  a resounding success “

“I hope so,” she said, smiling, “a friend at work told me I needed to see this show, showed me the rave reviews.”

Jon smiled “Is that friend the one my buddy went to pur- um I mean followed out into the lobby? “

Claire laughed, “No, that’s Lily, my neighbor-turned-best friend,” she smiled, “This was just someone from back home.”

“Where’s back home ? “ Jon asked  “ I was wondering if you cared to join me back here" he patted the seat next to him "I mean it cant be comfortable sitting like that “ a bright twinkle lit up in his eyes.

Claire’s eyes darted back to the door, looking for Lily and not seeing her. She stood up slowly and walked around her row, seating herself next to Jon. “Charleston, South Carolina is home,” she replied, “though I’m originally from Boston.” Sitting this close to him, she smelled his musky scent and could see the laugh lines in his tanned face. Holy hell, she thought to herself, suddenly feeling quite warm.

“Charleston huh ? Beautiful city . So what made a Bostonian move south ? “ He asked his eyes taking in every inch of this Irish beauty. From her bright curly red locks and pouty lips to her curvious body. He groaned inwardly as his dress pants grew tight and shifted slightly to get comfortable.  God she is beautiful, For some reason this redheaded Irish lass stuck in his mind and he had hoped to see her again and as fates would have it ,they did so he was not going to let this opportunity slip on by.

“Mostly escaping family,” she sighed, laughing slightly, “whether it’s ‘cause I’m perpetually single, have no kids, or God knows what else, they’ve got to win the trophy for best naggers,” she finished, blushing.God, I’m rambling! she thought, He’s gonna think I’m an idiot!

Jon laughed “Gotta love family . You know my buddy and I bet you two were out of towners “ he winked good naturedly “ So what brings you to the Big Apple ?”

“We both needed a vacation,” Claire answered, sighing, “some new scenery, sights and adventures. Definitely some adventures,” she finished.

“Adventures? What kind of adventures you looking for ? “ he grinned devilishly

She shrugged, completely missing the innuendo, “Ya know, honestly we have no idea. Tonight was the only real event we planned for the whole week,” she replied bashfully.

“Really ? “ Jon flicked up his eyebrow “ Well  you know Rich and I haven’t had dinner. Have you ladies ? “

“Nope, we haven’t either,” Claire answered, “we were so full from,” she paused, a smile twitching on her lips, “lunch, we weren’t hungry by dinnertime.”

A  smile played across Jon’s lips “ ah yes lunch at Carmine’s can do that . How’s about joining us after the show ?”

Claire smiled, touched by the hospitality she hadn’t expected to find in New York. Especially from such an important-looking man. “I’d have to check with Lily but that would be great,” she replied.

“Something tells me she’ll be okay with it “ Jon chortled “You think she’d mind if sat with me for the rest of the show ? “ his hand reached over towards hers and gently squeezed it.

“I, um, she’ll survive.” was all Claire could spit out.

“I think she’ll do just fine “ Jon remarked as he flashed that breathtaking grin . He reluctantly let go of her hand only to slip his arm nonchalantly on the back of her seat. OH yes this was going to be a great night after all .