With a slight smile and light laugh she responds, “Yes, isn’t he beautiful?”
Keiran let out a whistle and says, “Yes, very.”
She slips the glasses from his hand and places them safely on the storage shelf behind her seat separated by her small clutch. Keiran tips the valet and holds the door for Kathryn himself. As she eases into the driver seat, she snaps her seat belt, the seat and mirrors adjusting automatically with a touch of a button. Keiran closes the door and leans down to the open window and whispers “Are you sure?” Kathryn nods and smiles in response and Keiran walks around the back of the car smiling broadly and enters the open passenger door, tucks the blanket in the back on the ledge by the flutes, and carefully wedges the bottle of champagne between the blanket and the interior side of the car, then settles in beside Kathryn and fastens his seat belt. They are underway, both of them trying not to think too far ahead of themselves. Keiran notices that Sugar Pie Honey Bunch is playing, “Temptations fan?”
Smiling she glances over at him, “Isn’t everyone? I only live a few minutes from here so we will be there in no time.” she says glancing over at him.
“There’s no reason to be in a hurry.” he said smiling, “I have to say I’m impressed that not only do you have a car with a manual transmission, you manage the gears with finesse.”
“Thank you!” she said half smiling, half laughing.
“You must tell me though, how did a nice girl like you end up with a car like this?”
“A moment of insanity, really! I wanted something new and different for my life here in Dubai and I just fell in love with this car the moment I saw it. I’m usually always saving for the future and for the ‘what ifs’ in life, and this year I decided that I would indulge in a few things.” She continues with a shrug, “This happens to be one of them.”
“Nice choice.” He said with a smile.
She glances his way and smiles broadly.
Keiran sits back, enjoying the salty breeze coming from the coast, Kathryn’s hair blowing in the breeze as the car roars down the road. He is intently listening to her music collection noting that she quietly sings along, taps her fingers on the steering wheel or pats her hand on her lap with the beat to every song that plays. He likes that she really enjoys herself. When the Temptations ended, Cold As Ice by Foreigner began playing, The Nearness Of You by Rod Stewart, followed by I Could Have Danced All Night by the Royal Manchester Ballroom Orchestra. Following the orchestra All Summer Long by Kid Rock played prompting Keiran to say, “You have an eclectic taste in music.”
“I enjoy all kinds of music, don’t you?” She asked.
Nodding, “Yes, yes I do.” He said smiling, “Who was your favorite performer when you were growing up? Oh wait, let me guess, hmmm, Sean Cassidy?”
“Nope”
“Leif Garrett?”
“Nope”
“Okay I give up.”
“I was into a ton of bands and singers. I listened to different music depending on my mood but I had a crush on Andy Gibb.” Kathryn said smiling.
Acting like he just got shot in the heart, “Oh no! Not Andy Gibb!” he said laughing, “Let me guess, was it his smile?”
Laughing lightly, she said demurely, “Oh Keiran, it was his everything.” Making them both laugh out loud.
Chapter 6
Kathryn eases her car into her reserved space and starts to get nervous in anticipation of what may happen. Silently taking a deep breath, she offers, “Would you like to lock your wallet or anything inside the car?”
“That’s a great idea, thanks.”
Having grabbed their items and locking the car, she reaches her right hand into his left to lead the way. As they step into the lobby of her building, she motions to a chair near the elevators saying, “You’re familiar with this chair” with a light giggle, “I’m going to run up and change into something a bit dryer if you don’t mind. I promise not to be long.”
“Very funny, yes, I’m quite familiar with that chair, thank you very much. That chair and I will be quite comfortable while you are gone, take your time.” he said with a smile taking a seat.
She looks at him with a small smile dancing on her lips as she steps into the elevator and presses the button for her floor.
Lost in her thoughts and feeling like she needs to hurry so that he didn’t run away once he came to his senses and realizes that he shouldn’t be with her tonight or ever, the doors open and she flies out of the elevator running straight into Stan Goldman for the second time today. Apologizing and trying to remain calm Kathryn tries for levity, “Stan, what a pleasure it is to run into you twice in the same day! Our paths are destined to continue crossing it appears!” She said with a light laugh.
“What the hell happened to you, Kathryn, you’re a mess?!”
“Oh, it’s nothing at all, Stan, just a little mishap at dinner and driving with the windows down. Thanks for your concern though, have a good night.” she calls over her shoulder heading towards her door.
“Good night.” he calls, relieved that it’s only ten o’clock at night and she is already in for the evening. As he enters the elevator he muses, I guess the door hasn’t been completely shut. Whistling lightly exiting the elevator, the gentleman sitting nearby goes unnoticed.
As the door closes behind her, Kathryn begins stripping on her way to her bedroom. She runs to her bathroom and as she washes her hands she notices her reflection in the mirror. Stan’s right, she thinks to herself, I am a mess! Laughing she takes out the seemingly hundreds of bobby pins holding her hair. Once her hair is free, she puts her hands into her hair, flings her head upside down and massages her scalp. Flinging it back as she straightens, letting her curls, springing back to life at having been let loose, fall where they may. Then she takes a long look in the mirror and bangs the palms of her hands onto the counter, screaming, “YES, YES, YES!!” Excited about what may be in store for her tonight, she brushes her teeth, throws on some flowing white pants that fall just below her knees, a white camisole, and a lightweight powder blue cardigan. She slips her feet into the same flat gold sandals that she wore to the beach earlier, turns off the lights, exits her apartment and then quickly runs back in, opens the fridge, pulls out a chilled bottle of Veuve Clicquot and runs out the door.
The elevator chimes and he catches his breath at the sight of her. God she pulls on my every cell like the moon on the ocean tide, he thought to himself. He stands as she hands him the cold bottle, he smiles and reads the label, “1998 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Vintage Champagne, excellent.”
Smiling she replies, “I thought a cold bottle would be much better. I really don’t care for warm champagne!” she said making a face causing him to laugh. “The concierge will put the other in the refrigerator for us for another occasion” (“…for another occasion” resonates in his mind…) then she stops and says something to the person on duty, handing them the bottle of Cristal. She turns and casually tucks her hand into the fold of his elbow as they walk outside.
It is absolutely gorgeous outside. Nights in the dry desert region tend to be cool and balmy and being there on the beach with her it is as if they are alone in their very own paradise.
They walk together for a few minutes until they are away from the lights of her building and decide to sit inside one of the cabanas. The cabana is blue with completely enclosed back and sides, which goes up and over in an arch over the inhabitants. Passersby would have to bend over and try to look to see if anyone were inside, making it very private. Inside some of the cabanas there