Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
The crowd is ushered in and all of the children have taken their places backstage, but Torin’s seat in the front row beside his mother is still empty. The lights dim. I walk to the podium to give the annual welcome address to the parents and look for him one last time, but he still isn’t here. So much for my plan to combat my stage fright.
The audience is wrapping up its round of applause for the lineup of Christmas carols played by the school band, and they’re all looking at me. I open my mouth to speak but hear the auditorium doors open. I can’t hide my smile as I watch Torin barrel down the aisle to take his seat. He’s here. Thank God, he’s here.
When the curtain closes, I say goodbye to my class of toy soldiers, elves, and reindeer and meet Torin by the side of the stage.
“I’m sorry I was late. My errands took a little longer than expected. I made it in time for your opening, though. You looked great up there, little girl.”
“Thank you but I was terrified.”
“Terrified? You stand up in front of these kids every day, don’t you?”
“Sure, but they’re all five. Teenagers and adults are different.”
“Either way, you looked beautiful and professional up there. These people are lucky to have a teacher like you. Trust me, we didn’t have anyone like you when I went to school here. Good thing, though. I would have never graduated. The only thing I would have been concentrating on is your ass.”
I blush and slap his arm. “Are we heading to the city now?”
“We are.” He takes my arm, and we begin walking to the exit.
“We’re going out the front? My car is parked in the teacher's lot.”
“We aren’t taking your car, baby girl.”
“Okay, but…”
“Hush now. It’s a surprise.”
He opens the door for me, and I see the long, white limousine parked against the curb. The parents who are filing out of the school are staring at it too, but Torin pays them no mind. He leads me to the car where the chauffeur opens the door for us.
“This is fancy. What’s the occasion?”
“You put on a great holiday pageant, and I want to celebrate.”
“I don’t know if my performance warranted a limo and driver, though.” I giggle.
“What? You don’t think you’re a star? There isn’t a star in the sky that shines brighter than you.”
“That’s sweet. Thank you.”
“No, thank you for coming out with me tonight.”
He opens a bottle of champagne and pours us each a glass. I sip the sweet, bubbly liquid and look out the window as the scenery changes around us. It’s amazing how quickly the lush snow-covered pines disappear and the concrete landscape takes their place. At least, the city looks cleaner under a layer of freshly fallen snow, and the lights hanging from all of the telephone poles make things look a bit more innocent.
The limo stops in front of a restaurant that looks way out of my price range. Torin squeezes my thigh and says, “We’re here.”
“This place is pretty exclusive, isn’t it? I’ve read about it. It’s like the number one hang-out for celebrities when they’re in town. Don’t you need to make reservations like a year in advance or something crazy like that?”
“It is that place, and yes, most people have to make reservations a year in advance. But darling, I’m not like most people,” Torin answers as he takes my hand and leads me to the door.
“Have you been here before?”
“A time or two.”
We enter the restaurant and a man in a tuxedo rushes toward us.
“Torin, I saw your reservation and couldn’t believe it. How long has it been?” He beams, shaking Torin’s hand.
“It’s been a while, Jacob. I trust you have our table ready?”
“Of course, come this way.” The man leads us into the dining room ahead of at least twenty other people who are waiting to be seated.
It seems like someone nods and smiles at Torin from every table we pass. Some of them look familiar, but it’s difficult to place them in this environment. I’ve probably seen them fighting cyborgs or saving damsels from burning buildings in the movies.
“Do you know all of these people?” I ask, shocked by the circle Torin has kept secret from me.
“Know them? Not really. They know of me and I know of them.”
“Why do they know you?”
“Do you think famous people don’t teeter on the edge of legality from time to time? Hell, they love to drink and gamble, and they have the finances to do it.”
“And that’s how they know you?”
“No. Again, they don’t know me. They know of me. Word spreads and people find out about the business I’m in. Why? Does it bother you?”
“No, it’s just that I’ve never met an actual celebrity before.” It does make me wonder how I stack up to the fashion models watching him from the bar.