Chapter 41
Kristina hurried as she put the cordless phone back into the cradle in which it rested and sprinted towards the shower. Alex had told her that he would be there in an less than an hour to pick her up and together they would surprise Howie at Tabu and then the three of them would go to lunch. She had always loved his impulsive behavior and was anxious to spend some quality time with him during the ride to the club to find out what had been going on with him during the last year and half.
True to his word he rang the doorbell about forty-five minutes after they had talked. She met him at the door dressed in a pair of white Capri pants and a black peasant shirt with long flowing sleeves.
"You look great!" he said as he winked.
She turned around slowly giving him a complete view. "You like?"
"Uh-huh. Got a sister that I can borrow?"
Determined not to allow her longing for family to ruin the day Howie had planned for her, she smiled and said softly, "No. Now, let’s go!"
On the way to the club, the two of them discussed the last tour, the new album and the fact that he had been unsuccessful at finding a steady love interest. His reasons were understandable as he explained that the majority of women he met wanted to be his girlfriend for the fame and money he had to offer or they simply couldn’t keep his interest for one reason or another.
As they pulled into the parking lot, neither of them paid attention to the vehicle parked in the corner of the lot. They parked next to Howie’s jaguar and started to the back door.
"I’ll call ‘D’ and tell him to let me in" AJ said as he reached for his cell phone. "You can jump out and surprise him when he opens the door."
Kristina jingled a set of keys and laughed. "No need. I’ve got keys!"
"I didn’t think anyone but John and ‘D’ had keys to this place!" AJ said with a smirk.
"John gave me a set so I can rehearse before the club opens."
"That’s right! I forgot you sing here. When do I get to hear that awesome voice I’ve been hearing about?" AJ asked as Kristina unlocked the back door.
"I tell you what. You go let Howie know that you are here and then I will serenade the two of you."
"Cool!" AJ said as he made his way to the stairs. "Be back in a few!"
Kristina watched him bound up the stairs, taking two at a time, and shook her head.
"Once a maniac, always a maniac!" she laughed.
"I heard that!" he said as he reached the top of the staircase.