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The shopping trip was pleasant and by the time Serena and her friends were finished she had six new outfits. She knew she only needed one for the graduation ceremony but the others had looked so beautiful she just couldn’t resist the temptation of taking them too. And anyway, it was no big deal. She had a platinum card and her Dad took care of the bills every month. She didn’t even see the statements. They were all sent straight to his office for payment.
“I’m tired,” Tammy said, yawning, as they headed towards Serena’s Mercedes Benz SUV. They were all loaded down with shopping bags.
“And I’m hungry,” Jan piped up. “We haven’t eaten since eleven o’clock and it’s almost seven now.”
“I heard of a new Chinese restaurant that opened up on 49th Street,” Serena said. “Let’s have dinner there. My treat.”
The restaurant and the food were as exquisite as Serena had heard. The oriental tapestries that covered the walls were of rich black and red embroidered velvet and the wine-colored carpet was plush beneath her sandaled feet. The food was brought in ornately decorated silver bowls and, placed before each of them, were little plates that were toasty-warm to the touch. Steam rose from the various bowls, filling the air with a mélange of delectable aromas, tangy, spicy and savory. Then the server brought a small wicker basket covered with a soft white napkin and the sweet smell of fresh-baked bread wafted towards them. Tammy picked up a tiny egg roll and popped it into her mouth.
“Delicious,” she said, licking her fingers delicately. “You couldn’t have picked a better place.”
“I told you it would be great.” Serena winked at her. “But just remember that diet you’re supposed to be on. No appetizers for you.”
Tammy groaned. “Please. Don’t remind me.” She looked longingly at the basket of bread rolls in the middle of the table then sighed. “You’re right. I definitely can’t afford to gain back those twenty pounds I practically killed myself to take off.”
Jan chuckled and leaned over and gave her shoulder a squeeze. “You’ll be alright, Tammy. We’ll make sure you stay on track. That’s what friends are for.”
After their hunger had been assuaged the friends relaxed, sipping green tea and coffee. They were in no hurry to get back to the university. After all, tomorrow was Saturday and they would have a chance to sleep in late. They were deep in conversation when a shadow fell across the table. They looked up. There standing over them was Chad Thornwell, the university jock, a guy so full of himself it was a wonder he hadn’t fallen in love with…Chad Thornwell. Then again, maybe he had.
“Hey, Beautiful,” he said, eyes trained on Serena, “wanna hook up before graduation?” Then he stood there, muscular arms folded, grinning down at her. He looked so smug with his spiky blonde hair and bright blue spandex top that showed off every cut of his chest muscles. The glint in his eyes and the self-satisfied curl of his lips told a girl everything she needed to know. This guy thought he was God’s special gift to womankind. Period.
Tammy and Jen, forever in awe of the college stud, looked at Serena and giggled. Then they started preening for him, Jan straightening her back so her tiny breasts could finally be seen in her loose sweater and Tammy dabbing daintily at her lips with her napkin and peeking up at him with wide, worshipful eyes.
Serena rolled her eyes then looked away. Chad had been pursuing her all year…ad nauseum…no matter that he’d slept with half the women on campus. What part of ‘no’ didn’t he understand? What could she say to get rid of him once and for ever? Then, like a whisper from an angel on her right shoulder…or more likely a devil on her left…it came to her. Just crush his inflated male ego, girl, right here right now in front of his adoring fans. Slam him when there’s an audience and he’ll be gone for good.
And then he did the unthinkable. In the middle of her ponderings he had the audacity to lean down and try to plant a kiss on her cheek, his face suddenly so close that, with a gasp, she drew back sharply. The nerve of him to try that. And in front of an audience.
Eyes wide, she leaned away from him then reached down and grabbed her purse. “Hold on just a minute,” she gasped, feigning astonished awe. “I didn’t expect that.” She gave him a tremulous smile.
Quickly, she fished around in her purse then as her fingers circled the intended object she nodded. “There. Found it.” She pulled out a pack of mint gum and held it up to Chad in full view of her friends and all those who had turned to watch. “Take the whole pack. Trust me, you need it.”
Serena never saw a man back off so fast. He jerked back and when he straightened his face was red as tomato. His lips worked like he wanted to say something biting and couldn’t find the words but he only flexed his muscled arms and glared down at her. What was he going to do? Hit her? He couldn’t be that stupid.
With a flick of her head, Serena dismissed him. She turned her attention back to her sheepishly grinning friends, totaling ignoring the man glowering down at her. Then as if finally getting the message he turned and stormed out of the restaurant, almost bowling over a server carrying a tray of food.
“Ooh,” Jan said, giggling out loud once he was gone. “You can be such a wicked witch sometimes.”
“Sometimes a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do,” Serena said, unapologetic. “I don’t have time to waste on flirts.”
“So how do you think you’ll ever find a husband?” Tammy chimed in.
“Don’t worry about her.” Jan rolled her eyes. “That’s how she’s always been. She’s a cold one. Never has time for guys.”
“I’m not cold.” Serena glared at her friend. “I’m just picky.”
“You’ll pick yourself right into spinsterhood if you’re not careful.” Jan grinned at her.
Serena was unperturbed. She smiled. “You never know. I may find the perfect guy in Paris.”
“It’s going to be great,” Tammy said, her brown eyes sparkling with excitement. “Just the three of us traveling all over Europe. We’re bound to run into some hotties.”
“Yes, well,” Serena said in her most snooty voice, looking down her nose, “I’ll be going to Europe for the culture not to look for men.”
“Yeah, right.” Jan grinned at her.
Serena laughed then waved the server over for the bill. “You’re right. I’m looking forward to this trip for more reasons than one. I can hardly wait.”
CHAPTER TWO
Serena bounded down the wide staircase then walked quickly down the hallway toward her father’s office. It was still very early in the morning but she liked to go riding when the dew was still on the grass and the air smelled fresh from the night. Her black stallion, Prince, would be ready and waiting for her and she would have the usual carrot in hand. He loved these tidbits and she enjoyed it when he stretched his neck and neighed in gratitude.
This morning though she would have to make a quick stop. The housekeeper had stopped by to tell her that her father wanted to see her before she headed out. It was probably going to be one of his usual lectures about being careful on her ride and not staying out too long and traveling with a cell phone. She shook her head and smiled to herself. He treated her like such a baby.
Even though she walked briskly it took her a little while to get to her father’s study. The family home was massive, more like a mansion. Serena had always wondered why her father held on to it. There were only the two of them there outside of the household help. They had a housekeeper, a cook, a gardener and a chauffeur for just two of them. Not that she minded the service. But the house seemed such a waste on just two people. However, her father had insisted that it was the house he’d bought for her mother and even after her death he could not bear the thought of parting with it.
But Serena’s real reason for wanting to move from her magnificent family home was that she wanted to be closer to the city, closer to all the action and her friends. Bridle Estates was no place to be when you wanted to hang out at parties and go on quick shopping trips. It was too far away from everything else. She loved the fact that she had a lot of space to do her riding. They were sitting on acres and acres of land. But sometimes she wished she had it all, the luxury plus the convenience. Like the Rosedale area. That would be perfect, an oasis of stately homes in the heart of the city. She had to start working on her dad, make him see the wisdom of moving.
Although she was wearing riding boots her feet padded along the plush carpet. When she got to the double doors of her father’s office she knocked lightly then pushed them open and walked in.
“Hi, Daddy,” she said brightly, even before she saw him. “Beth told me you wanted to see me?”
As she walked into the spacious office the black leather chair behind her father’s desk swiveled round and she saw her father’s smiling face. “Good morning, Princess,” he said in his deep, gravelly voice. “You look well rested this morning.”
