New Years Eve Adventures

 

Chapter Two

 

Author:  Cheryl Paulk

 

Rating:  G

 

See Chapter One for disclaimer, summary, instructions, etc.

 

“Well, Amanda, what do you say we go mingle a little bit?”

 

“That’s a wonderful idea.  Lead the way.”

 

Lee placed his hand on her back as he guided her through the crowded tables.  They came out onto the dance floor and ran into . . .

 

Trixi

 

“Lee, come dance with me.”  The buxom blonde grabbed his arm.

 

“I was just going to dance with Amanda.”  Lee placed his arm back around Amanda’s waist.

 

“No fair,” Trixi pouted.  “You see her everyday.  You hardly ever come down to the steno pool anymore.”

 

“Go ahead and dance . . .”

 

Trixi wasted no time in pulling Lee onto the dance floor.

 

The rest of Amanda’s words were said to thin air.  “I’ll catch you later.”  Sighing she took a glass of wine from a waiter.  It would be good for her to move around and talk to other guests.  They didn’t need anyone becoming suspicious that they were spending too much time together.  Especially, with Dr. Smyth in attendance, they had to be careful. 

 

Threading her way through the throng of mingling guests, she stopped and chatted to several people.

 

“Amanda, don’t move,” a voice whispered from behind her.

 

“Francine, what are you doing?”  Amanda asked taking a sip of wine trying to act nonchalant.

 

“I’m trying to hide from Beaman.  He won’t leave me alone.  He keeps following me around like a lost puppy dog.”

 

“Why don’t you dance with him?”

 

“If I dance with him, he’ll never leave and want to be with me at midnight.  I certainly do not want him to be the one to kiss me when the New Year rings in.”

 

Kissing the New Year in.  Amanda’s pulse quickened.  There is only one man she intended would have that pleasure and she hoped they’d be able to find a quiet corner to celebrate in customary fashion.

 

The conga line danced past her.  “Ouch.”  Someone accidentally stepped on her foot and Amanda sat down in a chair to massage her aching toe, revealing Francine to the room.

 

“Francine, there you are.  Come on let’s dance,” Beaman yelled jubilantly as he made his way around some tables.

 

Francine sneered.  “Ut  oh, I’m outa here.”

 

As quick as a flash Francine disappeared into the crowd.  Effraim came running past her calling out Francine’s name.

 

Standing up, Amanda flexed her foot.  Luckily, whoever it was hadn’t stepped on her toe with their full weight.  Now seemed like a good time to find the ladies room.  She glanced back onto the dance floor attempting to get a glimpse of Lee.  She found him, he wasn’t hard to miss.  The man sure looked delectable in a tuxedo.  It looked like Trixi was doing her best to dance as close him as she could possibly get and Lee was have nothing to do with it.  She wished they could tell everyone they were married.  Maybe they’d make it their New Years resolution to come clean.  Who knows?

 

With thoughts of coming clean going through her mind she made her way out of the room.  She found the ladies room and freshened up.  As she exited the room, she opened her purse to put her lipstick back in and bumped into someone.

 

“TP, I didn’t know you’d be here tonight.”

 

“Mrs. King a pleasure to see you.  I’m on my way to the Pierre Dumont Pastry party.  I attended the school for two semesters a while back and they invited me.  I think it has to do with my chocolate éclairs.  I’ve been told they’ve never tasted a recipe as good as mine,” he winked.  “Is that handsome partner of yours here?”

 

“Lee’s dancing and I needed to ummm.”  Her eyes glanced back at the ladies room.

 

“No need for explanations.  Since Lee seems to be occupied, would you like to join me for a bit and partake of some delicious culinary delights?”  He extended his arm.

 

“I’d be delighted.”  She put her hand on his arm.

 

“Now I don’t want to prejudice you, but I did bake the chocolate éclairs.”

 

Amanda smiled at the older gentleman.  “I want to try those first.”

 

As they neared the room they heard loud shouts coming from the pastry party.  “No, Miranda, stay away from the turtle cheesecakes.  You know the points are sky high.  You’ve done so well before this.  You can resist.”

 

“TP what’s going on?”

 

“ I was afraid something like this would happen.  They tried to get the room changed to another one, but it was too late.  There is a Weight Watchers party going on next door.”

 

“Oh my, so some of the ladies may decide to cheat and eat some desserts.”

 

Amanda noticed the woman’s nametag that had been yelling.  Her name was Ana.  She left with her arm around Miranda.  “It’s okay dear, we all have to fight temptation.”

 

“I only had one little bite, I promise.”  The woman Amanda assumed was Miranda replied.

 

“Well one disaster diverted.  Shall we find the éclairs?”  TP asked as he escorted her into the room.

 

“Yes, please.”  The aroma in the room was intoxicating.  She’d bet several of the other attendants at the Weight Watchers party would be wandering over and she didn’t blame them one bit.

 

A half-hour later Amanda left the pastry party after sampling several different desserts.  She said farewell to TP and invited him to come over to the IFF party later.

 

As she walked back to the Agency’s room she heard her name being called.  The voice was her husbands.  She turned towards him and saw him coming towards her.  He hadn’t been coming from the party, he came from the front of the hotel.  “Lee where were you?”

 

He reached her side and put his arm around her waist.  “I had to take care of an important mission,” he whispered into her ear.

 

“What?”  Her curiosity was peaked.

 

“This . . .

 

To be continued . . . who’s next?

 

Go to Chapter 3