Dare To Be Wild (24 page)

Does he know why he's here?
That disconcerting thought shot its way to the forefront of Livia's frazzled mind. She wouldn't put it past Jasi or Lena to have fully explained the situation to Bobby. Jeezus. How desperate must she seem? Livia felt the armor of shy reserve fall around her.

“Excuse us,” the woman on the other side of her requested. Livia stood to let them pass, causing her to drop her forgotten purse from her lap, spilling its contents under the seats. Once the couple exited the row, Bobby retrieved all of her scattered belongings and returned them to their embarrassed owner.

“Thank you,” she said, accepting her things with a wrinkle of her nose.

“I guess some things never change,” he commented with a grin.

“What? Me being a clumsy doofus?”

“No, the way you do that bunny thing with your nose when you're embarrassed. Like you're trying to erase it off your face. I used to think it was really cute back in the day. And like I said, some things never change.”

“So then you still must dance like you're doing the Charleston,” Livia said, her face breaking out in a huge smile.

“Oh, that was cold. It's wrong to talk about a black man's ability to dance.”

“Or lack thereof…”

The two broke out into companionable laughter. Their good-natured teasing felt wonderful, like it had when they were kids.

“Well, it's true, I still can't dance, but I can still pick out the finest sister in the place when I see her. You look amazing, Livi Girl.”

The way his eyes traveled her body and drank her in reminded Livia of the way Mitchell had looked at her on the beach. It was the same polite, albeit hungry, ogle that was a true turn on. Liv could feel her shy reserve began to melt, slowly revealing the grown and sexy woman Mitchell had brought out in her. Quincy was in the house.

“Thank you. As do you. So, how have you been, Bobby?”

“All in all, I can't complain. After college, I had a few hard looks but wasn't able to crack the NBA, so I played ball over in Europe for ten years. Got married and had a couple of kids, but once we got back to the States, the marriage started to unravel. Rita and I limped along for more years than we should have, and finally, after twenty-one years, we divorced.”

“Sorry to hear that, but I understand completely. I married my college sweetheart and we lasted twenty-three years.”

“So you're divorced as well? Just how does a beautiful single lady like you spend her time?” Bobby flirted.

“Oh, mostly working hard. I own a bakery, Havin' Your Cake, in New Jersey. We specialize in wedding and other special occasion cakes. I was even featured on the
Today Show,”
Livia bragged.

“No wonder you smell like sugar.”

Livia lifted her eyes to his and let them do the thanking.

“But I remember you being an artist. I always thought I'd find your sculptures in a gallery somewhere.”

“I like to think that my work is edible art. I use frosting instead of clay to make it.”

“So what do you do to play?”

“I love to travel when I get the chance. I most recently visited St. Bart's,” she told him with an
“I've got a secret”
twist to her voice.

“Love St. Bart's.”

“Yeah, me too. And what about you? What did you fall into after basketball?”

“I'm in the Coke business.” Bobby watched with amusement as Livia's eyes grew wide, drawing her mouth open with them. “I see you still have absolutely no poker face whatsoever. Your thoughts have always been broadcast right across that beautiful mug of yours. I'm a Coca-Cola distributor. In fact, I own the largest bottling company in California,” he revealed, doing a little boasting of his own.

“That's where you live?”

“Yes, down South in Del Mar, San Diego.”

“Success becomes you, Bobby.”

“Just like that dress becomes you,” he flirted, smiling while he surveyed her simply sexy, David Meister little black dress. His appreciative look stopped at her eyes.

Bobby's smile remained steady as the house lights flickered. Livia broke their gaze to take a quick look around the theater, hoping to catch the attention of at least one of her traitorous friends. There they were, across the aisle and several rows ahead, smiling and waving like the lovable fools they were. Even Belinda, the new girl to their party, was grinning ear to ear. Livia laughed. She fit right into this motley crew!

Darkness once again fell upon the crowd. Grateful to be alone with her thoughts, Liv quickly analyzed the evening thus far. While it was unclear to her whether Bobby knew why he'd been summoned here tonight, a spark definitely remained between them. They were both still attracted to each other, even after all these
years. And the idea of finishing something between them that never got started was as much of an aphrodisiac as the citrusy-smelling cologne Bobby was wearing. But the reality remained that they were basically strangers—familiar and friendly, yes—but all of the time that had passed between them rendered them mere acquaintances.

Lately, intimacy with comfortable strangers seemed to be the running theme of her fledgling love life. First, with Mitchell and now, Bobby. What the hell was the universe trying to teach her through these guest lovers that she hadn't been able to learn from nearly a quarter of a century with her ex-husband?

As the curtain rose and the cast broke out into gleeful song, their attention got caught up in the thrill of the second act. Livia smiled into the darkness. As much as she adored them, she was happy not to have to spend her fiftieth birthday in the company of her girlfriends. Whether she spent it in the arms of her former love, and this evening turned into a cheery check on her fuck-it list, still remained to be seen.

B
obby and Livia stood outside the theater waiting for the rest of the group. The crowd had thinned considerably and there was still no sign of the girls. Knowing her friends, especially the delightfully devious Jasi Westfield, something was cooking besides dinner after the show.

“Maybe they went backstage?” Bobby suggested.

“Without me? That's not right. I'm the birthday girl!” Livia kidded as her pocket began to vibrate. “Excuse me.” She pulled her phone from her pocket and saw Aleesa's text message screaming across the screen.

We're out. Enjoy yourself. Happy Birthday 2 U!

“Well, it looks like we've been abandoned. I'm sorry. I have no idea what my cousin was thinking to put you in such an awkward position.”

“I always liked that Aleesa. And as far as awkward positions go, it's a matter of practice,” Bobby remarked with a crooked smile.

Okay, what's up with all of these sexy comments? Does he know,
Livia thought to herself,
or is he just flirting with me?

And so what if he is,
Quincy popped up to argue.
I thought the whole idea was for us to get some tonight.

What if he decides he doesn't want to?
Livia argued with the voice in her head.

Trust me, curiosity fucks the cat every time,
Quincy shot back.

“So, Livi Girl, shall we go somewhere and get better reacquainted?”

This time it was Bobby's phone that interrupted them. He looked at his cell and burst out laughing. “Aleesa's timing is impeccable,” he told her. “She's texted me our instructions for the evening. Apparently, dinner is awaiting us at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Columbus Circle. I'm supposed to check with the concierge for instructions.”

Livia had to chuckle. Lees had arranged for them to have dinner at the exact spot that Walter had booked for her as his anniversary gift—the gift that gave Aleesa permission to hook up with that sexy photographer. The gift that, thanks to both her cousin and her husband coming to their senses, never got redeemed.

“Good memories?” Bobby asked, noticing her amusement.

“Not quite. It's kind of a family joke.”

“Well, let's grab a cab and you can make me laugh on the way.”

Less than ten minutes later, Livia and Bobby were navigating Columbus Circle and arrived at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. They walked through the front doors and into a posh entry where they were directed through another etched glass door to a bank of elevators. The two traveled in companionable silence up thirty-five floors, each enjoying the quiet buzz of anticipation. As she'd done in the theater, Livia snuck a few sideways glances at her old flame, marveling at his well-preserved physique. Dressed in a gray suit with a thin pinstripe, Bobby had the commanding presence of a successful CEO. The man beside her exuded power, a power that was both compelling as well as intimidating. Her eye caught their reflection in the rose-patterned swirls of brass embedded in the gleaming dark woods of the elevator doors. There they were again, the basketball star and his cheerleader—still a golden couple at the onset of their golden years.

A soft chime informed them that they'd reached their destination. The elevator doors parted and Livia and Bobby stepped out of
the lift and into the soothing, Asian-inspired design of the hotel lobby. Bobby followed Aleesa's instructions and went directly to the concierge to find out what was coming next in what was turning out to be an evening full of surprises. First, at the theater, not only had Livia been surprised, but he also had been pleasantly shocked to learn that the girl he'd loved so long ago was as sweet and beautiful as ever. Ultimately, curiosity had been the impetus behind Bobby's acceptance of Aleesa's invitation. Over the years, he'd often thought about Livia, sorry for any pain he'd caused her, and wondering what had become of her, as well as what might have been. His Livi Girl was as sweet as before. Was she still as innocent as well? They'd broken up over unfinished business. Now he was in New York City ready, if she was willing, to complete what they'd begun over thirty years ago.

“It's for you,” Bobby told her, handing her a lovely handmade gift card.

Livia opened the envelope and read silently to herself, unsure if what had been written was appropriate to share with her date.

When one reaches a milestone like fifty, one can't help but look back and ask: What if? But fifty is also the age when one should either find out the answer or forget the question. Happy Birthday, Livia. Enjoy your special evening with a special friend. Whether you decide to cross Bobby off the list, or keep the fantasy alive, is up to you. All we've given you is the opportunity. Dinner is on us at Asiate. For dessert, we've booked you a suite here for the night. Do with it what you will, share it with Bobby or treat yourself. Just promise you'll go wherever the evening takes you.

Much love, Jasi and Belinda, Lena and Me.

PS. Walter and I had big fun at this hotel; hope you do too!

Enclosed were two condoms and a hotel key. Livia quickly tucked them it into her coat pocket. Her friends had set her up right and
given her sage advice that immediately cleared her head and soothed her anxiety—“just go wherever the evening takes you.”

“We're having dinner here at the Asiate. I hope you like Asian,” she said as she turned to fill Bobby in.

“I live in California, need I say more?” His words did not reveal his thoughts. With all of the great restaurants to choose from in New York City, why were they sent to a magnificent hotel for dinner? True, the Asiate had a world-class reputation, but he had to wonder, were the beds surrounding this splendid eatery included in her birthday surprise? Staring at a beautiful piece of a mostly happy past, Bobby's imagination whet appetites that had nothing to do with what was on the menu.

They walked past the huge glass floral display and into the bright, stark and airy aesthetic of the award-winning restaurant. Livia was immediately struck by the giant, silvery white tree branch sculpture that adorned the ceiling. It was like standing under a snowy branch in Central Park. Looking around, it was clear that the simple décor was a decision to let the city and park views from the floor-to-ceiling windows speak for themselves. The view's only competition was the wall display of what looked to be thousands of bottles of wine.

Bobby gave the
maître d'
their names and Bobby placed his hand lightly on the small of Livia's back as they followed him to one of the private booths lining the sides of the room. Livia noticed heads turn as foreign tourists and well-heeled New Yorkers looked up and wondered who they were. Few faces of color populated the dining room, and the question marks swirling around the room seemed to punctuate the same ignorant thoughts—they must be
somebody
if they can afford to dine here. Because of Bobby's height, most, she was sure, took him for some famous, albeit retired, athlete. Livia noticed several complimentary gazes directed at her
as well. She smiled. They recognized what she herself had in the elevator. She and Bobby still made a stunning couple.

The two slid into the booth on opposite sides of the table. They sat across the table, alternating their gazes between each other and the gorgeous city vista outside their private window. Silence between them was the perfect soundtrack for the moment. This was all so beautiful and perfect. It was impossible not to feel the romance surrounding them.

“May I take your drink order?” the waiter inquired.

“Champagne?” Bobby asked her.

“Sure.”

While Bobby and the sommelier discussed the wine selection, Livia stared down on Columbus Circle and made the decision to turn back time. This setting was too incredibly romantic, and she wanted to be part of a pair way too much to pass up the opportunity. Tonight, she was back to being Livia Draper, young and in love with her man, Bobby Jeffries. But instead of a nervous, untested vagina in her pants, she had Quincy, a horny hot box who was ready to pull out all of the tricks in her newly acquired sex bag, and give Bobby a taste of what he'd been wondering about all of these years.