John Francis

With a small smile on this face, Richie drew out his cell phone and made a call.

“Hey! I caught you!” He was surprised when Trish laughed.

“Yeah, it’s lunchtime so we’re all taking a break. How are you today?” Her voice was warm, pleased he had called.

“So, you still free for dinner tonight?”

“Richie! I told you last night I was. There’s no way I’m gonna believe you have to work for a date, stud!” She laughed as she adjusted the cell.

“Stud! And how would you know that, considering I’m at my mother’s and you’re there at the hotel?” His grin could be heard through the phone.

“Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Sambora!” She shot back at him and now he could hear her grin.

His chuckle was warm and husky.

“About dinner…? He prompted.

“Yes, we’re still on for dinner, but I’m going back home tomorrow morning.”

That’s not a problem. You live in the city.” He replied, already planning when he could see her next.

They had found themselves talking for hours the night before and he had enjoyed every minute of it. Patricia had gotten over the initial surreal quality of having dinner with him rather quickly and had found herself laughing more and more as the evening progressed. Richie had charmed her with his questions about what she did and how she had become a psychologist and his genuinely funny personality had made it one of the more enjoyable evenings of her life.

Richie had found himself drawn to Patricia. She was funny and extremely smart, engrossed her career, but at a bit of a crossroads as she was trying to figure out where her life was going. He had made a gentle pass at her the night before, but she had deftly turned him down and after a moment of disappointment, he was pleased she hadn’t followed the norm, choosing a slower course.

Her voice broke into his thoughts.

“I should be finished with the last meeting by 5:30 and can probably get out of here and be ready by 7:00. Does that work?” She was not surprised to find she was looking forward to dinner with him again. He had tried to make a move on her last night, but when she had turned him down he had been gracious about it, making a potentially awkward situation a funny incident.

“I’ll be there at 7:00. Just call if things run late, okay?”

“I will. See you later, Rich.” She smiled again.

“See you later, Trish.” He also smiled again, looking at his watch to see how long he would have to wait. They both hung up, neither realizing their grins stayed in place.

~~~

“Let’s go out to dinner.” Jon suggested, looking at her over the newspaper he was reading.

Startled eyes met his over her section of the paper.

“What? You want to go out?” Her eyes widened a bit at the idea.

“Yeah…” He nodded, warming more to the plan, “let’s celebrate a little. How about if we see what Richie’s doing and invite him along?”

She grinned at him, then mock scowled.

“Richie again, hmmm? You do know you can talk to me too, right?” Her tone had shifted then to a slightly more serious one.

“Wait, yes I know that. I heard you last night…” he grinned, flashing teeth brightly, “…you made sure of that by saying no over and over. Richie is my friend, Manda. My best friend.” His eyes squinted at her as she raised a hand.

“Of course he’s your friend. That’s not what I’m saying. I know there will be things you only talk to him about. Just not everything, okay?”

“No, not everything. Damn, woman, you really made me work for that yes! I don’t want to blow it already!”

“Oh, Jon…don’t you know yet that I really love you…?” She grinned, “Even if you are an arrogant ass at times!”

He gave a belly laugh then as he was reminded of what she had said before.

Still chuckling, he replied, “You sure you don’t mind being married to an arrogant ass?”

She glanced at his rear and then at him, a devilish light in her eyes.

“We’ll work on it…get rid of the arrogant and keep the ass!”

Her shriek of laughter could be heard throughout the house as he launched himself at her.

~~~

“Come on…come on….pick up!” Jon muttered into the phone.

“Hey! What’s up, man?” Richie answered.

“Whatcha doin’ tonight?” Jon cut right to the point as Richie started laughing softly.

“I gotta a date for dinner. Why?”

“Manda and I are going out for dinner and we want you to come with us.” Jon urged.

“Your ears working? I said I have a date.” Richie growled into the phone.

“So? Bring her with you!” Jon shot back before curiosity won out. “Wait! A date with who?”

Again Richie laughed softly before replying.

“I met her the night of Dot’s wedding in the hotel bar where Tico and Alejandra were staying. Her name’s Patricia and she’s a psychologist.”

Jon found himself nodding as he listened. “A horny psychologist?” He teased, a grin on his face.

“You asshole! No! Well…hopefully, yeah…” Richie laughed outright and then continued. “But, no, not that night or last night…”

“Hell! You saw her last night too? What’s goin’ on, Sambora?” Jon joked with his friend.

“She’s cool, man, that’s what’s goin’ on…the Sambora magic just ain’t working yet…” Richie admitted with a rueful grin that Jon couldn’t see.

“Holy hell! She shot ya down, huh?” Jon now openly laughed as Richie muttered ‘fuck you’ in the background. He stopped laughing long enough to repeat his request.

“So? Ask her if she wants to go out to dinner with your friends. Come on! If she says no, then okay, but at least ask her.” Jon asked his friend.

“I will, I’ll send her a text and call you when she answers. Talk to you later.”

“Later, man.” Jon grinned as he hung up. He wondered about the woman Richie had met as his friend had been pretty badly burned by Denise and had not really pursued a woman since then. About goddam time, Jon thought, glad Richie was interested in someone. A psychologist! This oughtta be good! He smiled and went off to tell Amanda.

~~~

Richie arrived close to seven that evening and went into the hotel bar where he was to meet Trish. She had agreed to dinner with his friends and after picking her up they were to go to Jon’s where the driver would take them into Manhattan for their dinner reservations at Buddakan, an Asian cuisine restaurant. This was one of the more beautiful and vibrant restaurants in the city and Jon liked the open yet cozy atmosphere where there were more private tables available. Trish had grabbed a ride from the city to the hotel conference with one of her long distance co-workers and after Richie had requested it, she had agreed to ride back with him.

Entering the bar, his eyes immediately found the beautiful redhead. She was sitting at the bar, a glass of red wine in her hand, and she brightened at his approach.

Smiling as he approached her, he leaned down for a kiss, again getting her on the dimple he found so intriguing.

“Hello gorgeous…” He murmured near her ear.

She ducked her head a little as she returned his greeting. He sat down beside her and ordered.

“How’d your last day go?” He asked, as she filled him in on the last meetings of the day.

“…so…everything went according to schedule and I’ve made some good contacts for whatever I choose to do…” She smiled at him then, her eyes bright in anticipation. They visited for a few more minutes, finishing their drinks and then Richie escorted her to her room to get her bags. She invited him in and he closed the door as he did so. He strode from the door to her side purposefully and stood looking down at her.

“I want to kiss you…” his voice was husky and warm.

She turned wide eyes to him and nodded. Richie drew her into his arms and gently pressed his lips against hers. Trish gave a small gasp as he did so, his arms firm around her waist, his lips gentle against hers. He lingered over her taste for several moments before they both broke for air.

“Oh my…” Trish murmured as she struggled against the heat the suddenly suffused her.

“Now that was real nice…” Richie grinned down at her irresistibly.

Unexpectedly she swatted him on the arm and his smile widened in delight.

“We are NOT staying here!” She moved back from him as he started laughing.

“Darlin’, I don’t think I asked to stay here…” He teased as he watched her redden to almost the color of her hair.

Her mouth dropped open as she realized she had betrayed the direction of her own thoughts. A few stammered vowels were all she managed before she gathered herself together and shook her head back and forth hard enough to cause her shoulder length hair to swing.

“Okay, I’m an idiot…let’s go before I embarrass myself further…” She grabbed her briefcase, stopping only when he put his hand on her arm. He quickly kissed her again and got her small suitcase as she watched, unable to move for the moment.

He grinned at her before moving to the door.

“You didn’t let me finish…I said I don’t think I asked to stay…yet…” He shot her a smoldering look that again had her color rising.

As she moved to the door, he thought he heard a whispered ‘Jerk!’, but wasn’t quite sure. He smiled deeply behind her back, his thoughts drifting for a second to Jon and Amanda a few months ago. She had also liked that word.