Currently Listening Vivian By Vivian Green Memory (Beautifully Young) see related

Episode 14

Tina looked at John appreciatively.  The night had gone pretty well so far and she hadn’t bumped into Lorene or Aiden and now she was sitting next to a very good looking man. Tina smiled. “So, Mr. Parker, you work where in Las Vegas?”

“Um, I...”

“He works in casinos. He’s an accountant for a lot of big casinos.” Ann said.

“Thanks Ann,” Tina smiled. She looked at John. “You wanna dance?” Before John could decline she grabbed his hand pulling him onto the dance floor.

<><><><><><> 

“I’m sorry, do I know you?” Lorene asked quietly.

Garrett coughed clearing her throat, “Um no...I guess I was wrong, but would you like to dance?”

Lorene looked at Aiden, “Do you mind?”

“Not so long as you come back.” He kissed her on the cheek for good territorial measure.

Out on the dance floor and far away from anyone she knew Lor frowned. “What are you doing here?”

“Is that any way to talk to your fiancé Lor?” Garrett laughed.

“Ex-fiancé, Garrett, and it’s not Vander-Hagan, it’s Hart.”

Garrett snorted, “Hart? What kind of name is that?”

“It’s the kind of name that keeps me out of the public eye. I’m in the Program, Garrett, and if they find out my cover’s been blown I’m out of the Ridge within the hour. Garrett I like it here.”

Garrett looked at Lorene. “With guys like the very rich Aiden Bartley falling for you, it’s no wonder you like this place.”

Lor stopped dancing looking at Garrett, “A year of prison and you’re still a snob!”

<><><><><><> 

“Look Jay, I have somewhere I have to be.” Tori said walking back into her house flipping the lights. “Can’t this wait until tomorrow?”

“No, Tori I have to get my life back. You helped Ved.”

“I was trying to trap him.”

“Well it didn’t work, did it? He trapped you.” Jay sighed sitting on the couch. “I went down to the station this morning and gave them my resignation.”

“How’d you do that?” Tori asked turning and looking at him.

“I went in and told them I was leaving for good.” Jay said sarcastically. “I am Jay.”

“I know you are...but what now? What do you expect me to do?”

“How often does Ved visit you?”

“Not often...actually, I think he’s out of town doing some kind of con.”

“When do you think he’ll be back?”

Tori sighed. “Maybe never...”

“Huh?” Jay looked at Tori a bit concerned.

“I saw you in the market a couple of days ago...I came home and called Ved first thing.”

“What happened?”

“He cursed and said he was leaving town. He went to the station and told them he was taking a vacation, and left.” She said quietly.

Jay stood coming next to her and patting her shoulder. “You gave a lot up for my brother. We both did, but he’s gone. Let’s just hope the scum stays away.”

Tori nodded. “I guess it’s as good a time as any to let go.” She stood and yanked a tissue out of the box on the table dabbing her eyes. “I gotta go to the party...I have work to do.”

<><><><><><> 

Tina danced for a good three songs before Ann charged in between her and John. “Come on John, we need to talk.” Tina only smiled as she watched the guy being pulled off by Ann. She soon checked herself. She was enjoying herself so much that she had forgotten why she was here. She scoped the crowd looking for Cassie. The woman was dancing and mingling as if she had been born to rub shoulders with the rich. Tina shrugged it was a shame she would have to get rid of such a vibrant woman... “No conscience,” she muttered under her breath looking around the crowd.

She stopped when she saw Aiden sitting at his table eyes intensely watching something on the floor. She followed his gaze and sighed. She should have known it was Lorene.

Tina smiled mischievously as she thought of giving Aiden a bit of his own medicine. She walked seductively in her black beaded mini dress to his table taping him on his shoulder. “Nice tux...I guess it’s only the best for the Bartley’s.”

“Hey Tina...”

“Do you by any chance still have my cell phone? I need the numbers in it.”

“No...” He said it as if it didn’t bother him that he had been sleeping with her only a few days ago.

“Funny...Lor seems to be pretty cozy with that guy.”

Aiden looked at Tina. “What do you want?”

“It’s definitely not sex.”

“Will you shut up.” He stood looking down at her.

“Are you going to tell her?”

“Why would I tell her about something that doesn’t really matter?”

“Because it does...you slept with me, if you don’t remember. I live with Lor. I could tell her any time I want.”

“But you’re not.”

“What’s going to stop you?”

“If you tell...I’ll go to the police with a lovely copy of your phone’s contact list.”

“Big deal...I’m a consultant. I have all kinds of numbers in there.”

“Including the number of Nikki Spence and every possible hit man in Craven Ridge? That looks suspicious.”

Tina stayed nonchalant, but her mind was racing. “Poker buddies.”

“You have a lot of poker buddies...Tina.”

Tina sighed. “I won’t tell.”

“Good,” he handed over the sleek phone from his inner coat pocket. “And see that you don’t, Latina.”

Tina walked away angry glancing at the time on her phone: 9:00 pm. She cursed aloud heading to the ladies room.

<><><><><><> 

“I’m sorry, Lor. You of all people should know how I tease.” Garrett said quietly.

Lor sighed. “You never told me what you were doing in Craven Ridge anyway.”

“I’m getting my company back from that witch who stole it.”

“Simone Caruthers didn’t steal it. She bought it. Besides what exactly do you think you’ll be doing to get your company back? You don’t have money to buy it.”

“That’s my business, Lor. You shouldn’t get involved; especially since we both know what happened last time.”

Lor gasped at his low blow, but was interrupted by one of the waiters before she could finish. “Miss Hart, you’re wanted in the kitchen.”

Lorene nodded walking off in the direction of the kitchen. She made her way down the brightly lit corridors when she felt her arm being grabbed. “Damn, Lorene, are you that stupid!”

“Huh?” Lor turned on Tori confused.

“Do you really want me to report you to WWP?!”

“What in the world are you—?”

Before she could finish all the lights went out and the people in the ballroom shouted and gasped in surprise.