Part 578
The party was in full swing when the two couples arrived and wanting to keep Sarah occupied, Howie pulled her on the dance floor before they ever reached the table. From there, the others pitched in too taking turns either dancing with her or talking to her.
AJ had Sarah on the dance floor at one point leaving Howie alone at the table simply watching the two. Kryss spotted him and decided to join him. It had been her first opportunity to talk to him one on one the entire time she’d been in Vegas.
“Hey, I’m surprised you aren’t with Sarah,” smiled Kryss as she sat down next to him.
“AJ’s got her for now. Thanks for the Teddy bear. It was really sweet.”
“You’re welcome. I take it you got it back?”
“Yeah, Bob brought it to me in the dressing room and Sarah stuck it with our things. SO, are you having fun?”
“I’m having a blast! Thank you so much for inviting me.”
“Don’t thank me. It was Sarah’s idea. How did you manage to get here without Steve tagging along?”
“I’m not seeing Steve…or working for him either.”
“Really?” This was definitely a good thing for Howie.
“Yeah. He fired me so that we could date but I wasn’t interested and I just couldn’t go back.”
Howie tried not to show his excitement. “Look, I’m REALLY glad we got to talk. I want to hire someone as Sarah’s personal assistant, to help her out. She handles ALL our stuff from the group’s appearances, to my businesses, to her own appearances plus all her foundation work. It’s just too much on her with the new CD coming out and the twins due in February.”
“What can I do?”
“I want to hire you. You’re familiar with the law to handle any legal issues and you know us.”
“How does Sarah feel about this?”
“We’ve discussed it.”
“But she’s not thrilled with it?”
“She feels like she’s letting me down if I hire someone to help her.”
“I’d LOVE to do it but I’m really not sure. I mean, if it were you, I’d say ‘yes’ in a heartbeat but…”
“But it’s my wife.” Howie reached out to take Kryss’ hand. “I understand your hesitation, Kryss. Your first encounter with my wife wasn’t exactly the best but you gotta know, THAT wasn’t my wife. She REALLY is warm and open. That day was a rough one. She’d been up most of the night and the stress of what Pearlman was doing was taking its toll on her. Tonight, making sure you had a good time and inviting you here, that’s more her style. She’s all about making sure the fans get the most of their experiences when they come to our shows.”
Kryss couldn’t take her eyes off Howie’s eyes. They lit up whenever he said Sarah’s name and he was trying hard to plead his case. “How does Sarah say ‘no’ to you when you do this?”
Howie smirked, “She doesn’t.”
Shaking her head, she said, “I just…”
“Tell you what. How about a test?”
“What kind of test?”
“We’re building a house in Virginia and our interior decorator has promised to have our bedroom ready but I’d REALLY like to have the whole house done for Sarah by the time we get there.”
“When will you be going there?”
“The 24th. We’re making a surprise visit to TRL on the 23rd and Sarah’s gonna be co-hosting it that day. We’ll leave as soon as we’re done and be in Virginia by mid-day on the 24th.”
“That’s not much time.”
“I know but you’ll try?”
“Sure but how is this a test?”
“If you get this done for me, I’ll make sure you get all the credit. That will REALLY go over big in Sarah’s eyes. She’s DYING to be able to stay there.” Pulling out his wallet, Howie pulled out a white card and his credit card. “Here, this is the Interior Decorator’s card and my credit card. You can fly back with my sisters on the DLF jet and you go to Lorraine and tell her that you’re there to make sure the house is done…no matter what it takes. If she gives you any problems, have her call ME, NOT Sarah. I want this to be a surprise and if it works out, you’ll take the job, righ
Kryss smiled, “Okay, if Sarah’s happy, sure, I’ll take the job.”
Howie gave her a quick kiss. “Thank you SOOO much! Let me call my sisters so you can catch up with them.”
“Hey! Hey! Hey! I borrow your sexy wife to dance with and you’re over here kissing on another beautiful lady,” teased AJ as he joined Howie and Kryss.
As Kryss blushed, Howie laughed, “Just thanking her for doing me a favor. Where is my wife anyway?”
“Bathroom.”
“Cool! Let me make this call before she gets back.”
While Howie was calling his sisters, the rest of the group joined them and as he hung up, Sarah wrapped her arms around him.
“Who were you talking to,
‘D’?”
“Polly. She and Angie are headed home in about an hour,” said Howie winking at
Kryss.
“Maybe we’ll get to see them at the airport,” suggested Sarah hopefully.
“I doubt it, ‘Angel’. The private flights leave from Gate One and we’re across the terminal at gate 30. We’ll see them in November.”
Howie had managed to tell Kryss all the information she needed. “Oh WOW!” she gushed looking at her watch. “Look at the time! I need to get going or I’m gonna miss MY flight and I still have to catch a cab.”
“We can take you,” offered Kevin. “We’re headed that way now.”
“You don’t mind?”
“There’s plenty of room,” said Brian. “Go grab your stuff.”
“It’s all set,” winked Howie. “You’re riding with us to the airport.”
Looking at Sarah, her head on Howie’s shoulder and looking extremely cross, Kryss asked, “Do you mind?”
Howie looked down at Sarah to see the look in her eyes. “’Angel’?”
“No, Kryss, it’s fine. We’re headed that direction. No sense taking a cab,” answered Sarah softly.
Becca saw the doubt in Kryss’ eyes. “Oh, don’t mind Sarah. She’s always a grouch when she has to leave a party early.”
“Bec.”
“Yes, Sarah,” answered Becca sweetly.
“Bite me!”
Howie playfully bit Sarah on the neck causing everyone to laugh.
“Nah, that’s okay,” laughed Becca. “Howie has it under control.”
Kryss said, “Give me five minutes?”
“Meet us out front,” instructed Kevin.
Five minutes later, with all the good-byes and thank yous said, the five guys and their girls, Garrett, a few members of the band, and Kryss were piling into three vans headed to the airport and what they all knew was going to be a long night.