Chapter Seven

The dance club was dark, smoky, and loud, just the way AJ liked it. He was determined to get Howie out of his rut and into the arms of a beautiful woman. But which one? There were so many to choose from.

He surveyed the dance floor, checking out each female with a critical eye. Not just any girl would do for Howie. He needed someone sweet, good-looking, affectionate. . . in other words, just like Howie.

“Are Brian and Kevin joining us?” Nick asked, bopping his head to the beat of the music.

AJ shook his head. “Nope, they’re staying in tonight. I’m telling you, married life has mellowed them out. It’s just us. Hey, was Mandy okay with you coming out?”

“Yeah, she’s visiting some friends anyway.”

“Okay, I don’t want to get you in trouble or anything.”

“Don’t worry about it, man. I’m gonna go mingle.”

Nick disappeared into the crowd. AJ turned to Howie and smiled.

“You okay, buddy?”

“Yeah, sure. I’m fine.”

“Wanna hit the floor?”

“Nah, I think I’m headed for the bar.”

“’Kay, catch you later.”

Howie watched his friend walk right up to a pretty redhead and ask her to dance. Then he started for the bar, amazed at how easy it was for AJ to pick up women..

“A beer please,” he told the bartender, taking a seat on a stool.

“What kind?”

“Whatever’s on tap, thanks.”

He accepted the beer and took a long gulp, hoping to drink away his troubles. Women came up several times during the next hour to try and coax him onto the floor, but he politely refused each and every one. He just wasn’t in the mood to dance.

He was still thinking about earlier that afternoon, when he thought he saw Lori.

No! he thought. I know it was her! It had to be.

He grabbed a nearby napkin and began ripping it into tiny pieces. When he had a small pile, he started in on another.

“Can I get a beer please?”

Howie looked up at the voice. He glanced to his right, farther down the length of the bar, and saw. . . her! Lori!

His heart beat faster and his mouth went dry. He quickly stood up and tried to get to her, but she took her drink and walked away. He followed, pushing his way through the crowd.

“Lori!” he called out, but the music was too loud, and she didn’t hear him.

She kept going, and Howie continued to follow. Finally she stopped and he reached out to touch her shoulder. She turned around.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Howie apologized, stepping back. “I thought you were someone else.”

The woman smiled. She was similar in height and hair color, but she wasn’t Lori.

“That’s okay. Would you like to dance?” she asked.

Howie shook his head. “No, sorry.” He hurried away, feeling incredibly embarrassed and silly.

Nick made his way around the dance club, saying hello to people he knew, and looking for a dance partner. It was then that he spotted her, sitting by herself, tucked away in a corner. She looked unhappy. He figured maybe he could make her smile.

“Hi, is this seat taken?” he asked.

Startled, the woman shook her head. “No.”

Nick slid into the chair next to hers. “I hope a pretty girl like you isn’t alone tonight,” he said, flashing her a dazzling smile that made millions of females weak at the knees.

“Well, I am. I was bored and thought I’d come and see where the action is.” She laughed awkwardly. “But I haven’t found any yet.”

“Me neither. Until now,” Nick said. “Wanna dance?”

“I don’t know your name.”

“Oh, duh. I’m Nick.”

The woman nodded. “I’m Lori. Nice to meet you, Nick. But don’t you think you’re a little young for me?”

“What?! I’m twenty!” he cried. Grinning broadly, he took her hand and pulled her up. “Come on, let’s dance, please?”

“All right,” she relented.

Howie sat back down at the bar and ordered another beer. Swiveling on his stool, he faced the floor. He spotted a bright blond head and saw it was Nick.

“Well, at least someone’s having a good time,” he muttered under his breath. He decided this just wasn’t working. He dropped some money on the bar and walked towards the door, hands in his pockets, head down low.

AJ caught up with him on his way to the exit.

“Where are you going?” he yelled over the music. “I’ve got someone who wants to meet you!”

Howie shook his head. “I can’t. Not tonight. I just want to go to bed, sorry, AJ.”

AJ’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. “Are you okay to drive?”

“Sure, I’m fine. I didn’t drink that much.”

“All right. I’ll call you sometime tomorrow, kay?”

“Fine. Bye.”

Howie stepped outside into the cool evening air and searched for his car. Finding it, he unlocked it and climbed inside. He didn’t feel like going straight home, instead he drove to a place he hadn’t been to in years.

He slowed the car in front of the massive house surrounded by an iron gate. He immediately noticed the “For Sale” sign hanging on the gate. So Lori was selling the place?

He thought back to the day he’d come looking for Lori. Kirkland Haberlan had answered the door himself.

“Is Lori here?”

“No. She’s gone.”

"On a vacation?”

“For good.”

The heavy door started to swing shut, and Howie stuck his foot inside, stopping it.

“What do you mean for good?”

Lori’s father glared at him. “She won’t be seeing you again, so I suggest you forget about her and leave now.”

“What’s wrong with her seeing me?”

Haberland sneered. “No daughter of mine is going to be allowed to associate with a no-good entertainer like you.”

“Don’t you think that should be her choice, sir?” Howie asked through clenched teeth. “Where is she? I want to talk to her.”

“Forget it. Now get off my property!”

The door slammed shut in his face, leaving a stunned Howie staring at it in shock.

He shook his head at the memory and drove home. Stinker was waiting for him at the door, tail thumping on the hardwood floor. He half expected to find the furniture chewed up or puppy messes all over the place, but there was nothing. Stinker had behaved herself perfectly.

Cuddling the dog, he went through the living room, passing the answering machine.

“Aha, didn’t get this message, did you?” he said, pressing the button.

His brother’s voice filled the room.

Howie listened, wondering if John was having problems with the business. He made plans to go into the office the next morning and check things out.

Lori left the dance club an hour later, feeling tired but happy. She had enjoyed dancing with Nick, although he wasn’t Tony. But he did seem like the type of person who would be friends with him.

I should have asked him if he knows Tony! she thought.

She went back to her hotel and flopped on the bed, glad she was getting her own place the day after tomorrow. She saw the financial folder sitting on the desk and reached for it, still unsure about how to handle the bank. She didn’t want control over it. All she wanted was to settle his business and go back to Europe. There was nothing for her here in the States, unless she found something worth staying for.