Lucky

Chapter TwentyFive
By: Lara
© 2000

"Howie called me today," Lara told Lisa as they rode in a limo to the Blockbuster Awards.

"And?" Lisa checked her makeup for the ninety-seventh time.

"And he wants to take me to dinner tomorrow night. I told him I would let him know tonight after the awards." Lara fidgeted nervously. "I still can't believe you made me come to this thing."

"You needed to get out of the house...we both did...and I needed a date. Plus I needed someone to model that new outfit. Once people see you in it, it will sell like hotcakes."

"What a lameass excuse," Lara told her, laughing as she glanced down at her outfit. It was one of the new dresses in the "Lucky" line of clothes; a dark blue and silver sheath of a dress that clung to every curve. The stomach area was almost completely bare, with the top attached to the bottom by little silver chains. Her hair was piled high with a few ringlets falling down.

"You might outshine me...hmm...maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all," Lisa said, glancing down at her sexy black dress. Lara shoved her.

"Hardly."

"You told Howie you'd call him after the awards? That could be two in the morning!" Lisa realized.

"I told him that. I said I'd call tomorrow and he said he couldn't wait that long." "He's so sweet," Lisa said with a smile. Lara poked her. "Stop it. I need to remain objective," Lara retorted. "I don't know why we had to get all gussied up like this anyway. No one dresses up for this thing."

"I do. It's a great way to show off the line, as well as draw mega attention to ourselves...and every now and then mega attention is good."

As they pulled into the long line of traffic that approached the auditorium, the driver opened the separator window and handed Lisa a note. "A gentleman asked me to give you this as we arrived, Miss Lucky."

Lucky opened it curiously and read it aloud. "Lisa...can I talk you into dinner tomorrow? I will pick you up at seven...dress to impress. Kevin."

"That's weird," Lara remarked.

Lisa smiled. "Weird and sneaky. He knew it was such short notice that I couldn't possibly say no." She carefully tucked the note into her purse.

Nick took one look at the television and almost dropped the piece of pizza he was carefully guiding to his mouth. There was Lucky, walking into the auditorium for the Blockbuster awards, with Lara by her side. A very beautiful, sexy Lara. The dress slithered around her body seductively, and she smiled and posed with Lucky, even though she seemed to want to move out of the way to allow Lucky to have all the attention. Nick smiled slightly. That was just like her. Soft ringlets framed her face, and silver earrings jauntily bounced from her ears. His eyes kept going to her stomach. Flat as a board. Had the pregnancy been a lie all along? Nick thought for a moment. No...it had been the truth. As much as he would like to believe it was a lie, he knew that Lara wasn't that kind of person. He sat back on his sofa, watching her walk up the red carpet, following the curves of her body with a knowing eye.

"Okay...that was fun," Lara said five hours later as they exhaustedly fell into the back of the limo.

"Yeah...fun..." Lisa pretended to pass out against the window. She had won the award she was nominated for, and had insisted that Lara come up on stage with her to accept. Suddenly everyone had wanted to know who this Lara was, and why she and Lucky were so close. In her interview after accepting the awards, Lisa had explained that Lara was her assistant and soon to be managerial partner. She had been released from her contract with Reggie, she said, and she and Lara would be working together to manage her career from now on. Lara had been floored. She expected to help Lisa out, not be her partner.

As soon as they reached the after awards party, reporters and photographers had practically accosted Lara, demanding to know everything about her. She was grateful for all the times she had watched Lucky the pro at work, and she was able to easily answer their questions. Lisa smiled at her from the sidelines, happy to see Lara in such a good mood. She had figured the outfit would knock the press on their asses, and she had been absolutely right.

"I changed my mind," Lara said as she gratefully kicked off her high-heeled sandals. "I don't want your life."

"Too late now, baby. LA loves you, and you will have to deal with it."

"Wonderful. Hey, gimme your cellphone. I need to call Howie." Lara quickly dialed the number he had given her.

"Hello?" A voice said sleepily.

"Howie? Um, it's Lara. You said I should call no matter what time..." she said.

"Lara! Hi!" She heard him instantly wake up. "Of course! I'm glad you called. Did you have fun? I saw Lisa win...and I saw you onstage with her. You looked incredible."

"Thanks," she said, blushing. "I was calling to say yes to your offer. I'd love to go to dinner with you tomorrow."

"Great! I'll pick you up at six forty-five, okay? And wear something really nice."

Lara hung up and looked at Lisa, who had a blissful smile on her face.

"What?"

"You woke him up, right?"

"Yes...I guess so."

"Bet he sleeps naked. Bet he was just barely covered by a sheet, and that gorgeous torso of his was all stretched out on the sheets and..."

"Oh great. Thanks. Not like I'll be thinking about all that the next time I see him or anything now," Lara grumbled. Lisa smiled in satisfaction, closing her eyes.

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