Tomorrow, Paradise Bound

The box lay on the floor, crushed and the Barbie was naked. Her hair was matted, her beautiful dress lay discarded on her little pink bed. 

"Well, that didn't last long," Tomorrow said as she followed Dante from the front door. 

"No, I told you she was too young. She chewed the shoes up before I could get them out of her mouth." He spun around and smiled, patting his lap. 

"Um, I have a job interview tomorrow," Tomorrow said, ignoring his invitation. 

"Ok," he licked his lips, "and because of that you can't let me cop a feel?" He said and smiled.

"It is, just that it is in Chicago and if I get the job I'll be staying."

He jerked his head back "Whoa, just like that," his eyes immediately reddened. 

"Yes. I can't stay around here no matter how much I care for you. My fear of him killing me is too strong. I have the cab waiting, that is how paranoid I am. You didn't see the way he looked at me when the police took him away," she took his hand as the cab honked.

"I'll call you and let you know one way or the other. I truly am sorry it has happened this way," she kissed him softly and left. She felt like crying, he could have been her soul mate, but she had to keep going. She had in the back of her mind if things don't work out with the job he may still be here. Billy had to go to prison at some point or they could live somewhere else on his Social Security while she finds a job. 

Today was next she would keep up the lie. She knew Frank was in her mother's room, she heard a low rumble laugh as she walked out the front door. She was happy for her mother; she needs a man in her life. So does she, she thought, and groaned Dante was so good. He had been just what she needed. She hoped he would think of her fondly and not be too upset at her leaving. 

Spending hours on the computer last night, she has a good idea what the Virgin Islands look like and kind of what to expect. She even found a picture of the old hotel. It is big, at least four hundred rooms and a beautiful view. Lucas was right about that. She found a shuttle to take her to the airport, but she has to be ready to go at 9:00 am for a 2:30 flight. At least she wouldn't have to put anyone out or have them pick away at her lie.

"Yes, the one on the left. Big tip if you wait about five minutes," she said with a sexy grin. He was an old letch she has ridden with a few times. Angleton is not big, nor is the taxi service.

"Is this the last stop?" He asked, sounding put out. She really doubted he had other fares waiting. He has been Johnny on the spot every time she calls. 

"Yes. And then home. I'm moving to Chicago and want to say goodbye to family."

"Chicago? It is cold up there even in the summer."

"So, I have heard." 

Ringing Today's bell, she hoped she was home, or she would just get a call tonight and give her the news. 

The door popped open and Today looked ragged. "Having a bad day?" Tomorrow asked stepping into her house looking like she just stepped off a fashion page, Today backed away to let her in.

"Yes, the doctor thinks Junior is teething early, that is why the diarrhea. 

He is making a mess of my house," she complained.

Baby Brice was in his swing looking miserable and the house stunk. Tomorrow could see where she had been scrubbing his droppings out of the carpet.

"I have a job interview tomorrow and if they want me, I'm staying."

"What, where, and why. What happened?" She asked, not believing what she was hearing. 

"They let Billy out," she went into the story. "I can't hang around and wait for him to get me. I applied for a Job in Chicago, and I am flying up there tomorrow."

"Chicago?"

"Yes, and I know it is cold up there. I have a cab waiting. Hey mom had a man over last night all night," she told her as she went out the front door, hoping to give her something else to think about besides her. 

"Good for her," she called out as the baby began to cry, 

She scanned the neighborhood before she stepped off the porch.

"Ok take me home," she told the driver. 

"You're going where?" Her mother yelled as she walked in the door phone in hand. 

"Thanks Today I didn't want to disturb her," she called out so she could hear. 

"Yes, I'm going to Chicaaagoo. That is the way the cab driver said they say it," she said and smiled at Frank. He was sitting at the table with a hearty breakfast in front of him. She wished her mom would cook like that for her.

"You're going to work in Chicago what are you thinking," her mother demanded as she set the phone on the counter so Today could hear her insanity. 

"Yes, I have been putting my résumé out and they contacted me. I agreed to go for an interview. I can't stay here with Billy loose. If they want me, I will stay and start working immediately."

"Honey, you have never been in a city that large by yourself. How will you get around?"

"I know and they have taken that into consideration. I have a ticket waiting at the United ticket booth and they will pick me up at the airport. They like my work, the man said if I can make a fabricating company look that good, I could do wonders with his jewelry. The pay is good, and I have to leave. I'll call you and let you know how it goes, please don't call me. I don't want to mess up my chance with frantic phone calls from home," she told them, "It's nice to see you, Frank."

He smiled at her and continued to eat.

He knew with a family of four kids that it could get crazy. At least his are older and gone now. He was going to have to buy stock in Viagra. That one is wild, and he will have to take a stress test to make sure she doesn't kill him before another night like last night. 

She had three icons on her computer screen when she opened it up. I was hoping to show you around, let me know when you have time. Tomorrow Jones

I hope this means you're getting ready to go. Waiting to hear back. Tomorrow Jones

I sure hope you're busy and haven't decided not to come. I'm having an anxiety attack here please contact me, Tomorrow Jones.

Her response.

How needy can you be? Yes, I was taking care of family responsibility and saying good-bye to a few people. I'm packed and ready to go. If you need to see me pingback, we can Skype. Lucas, Monroe 

She sent the message and a minute later, she heard the Skype signal. Checking her appearance, she sat and pressed her camera button. 

His smiling face is what she saw. "Goodness, do you have separation anxiety," she teased with a laugh. 

"Why yes, I do. I have looked for you for so long and I can't lose you before we meet," Lucas told her smiling he seemed happy to see her face.

"No worry, I'm out of here at 9:00 tomorrow morning."

"So early?"

"Yes, if I want a non-intrusive ride, yes. It is a hundred miles or more to the airport."

"I Googled your address and town, nice house, ugly town."

Laughing at his statement, she said. "Yes, it is. And that is an old picture, the trees are much bigger now."

"Yeah, my hotel's picture is at least ten years old."

"Yeah, you can tell by the cars parked around the place."

"No, not really, those cars are probably still here. Cars cost a lot more here because we are on an island. So, you Googled me too," he asked, sounding a little concerned.

"NOOO… I Googled your island. Did you Google me?"

"I did and I must admit you were a cute little girl." 

"Oh lord what did you find," she asked because before she only checked the police site. 

"I saw the homecoming queen, basketball center, and a badly battered young lady that the town really rallied around."

"Only because they hate Billy's father so much. Can't have secrets in a small town." 

"True, that looks highly unlikely. You kind of made this whole ordeal sound like it was no big deal."

"It was to me, I slept through it all," she said with a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Does this mean you're not interested in my brain?" 

"No, I'm just concerned for you."

"I have been given a clean bill of health no problem. I can give you a run for your money at basketball just try me." She showed him her muscles on her skinny arms. "No really I'm healthy, I have the CAT scans to prove it."

"I believe you; I just hate that happened to you. It just proves to me, you're a tough girl," he said, sorting through the paper copies of the news clippings. He had watched the reports from the TV. It seemed to be a big deal in that part of the country. One reason he was concerned when he couldn't reach her. What he sees now compared to the pictures taken by the press he could hardly believe it was the same person. She is well loved in the town that is for sure. He even had the announcement of her early graduation and college aspirations. Yep, she was a go-getter. The last article was the outrage that he made bail. It went into a long rant about how the plight of women is still being fought. The courts' letting him out was proof again that women don't matter in society. A women's libber must work there, he mused. 

She watched him sort the papers with that hurt look on his face. 

"I don't want you to hire me because you feel sorry for me. I can do the job," she told him she was concerned he has changed his mind.

"No, Tomorrow you have the job, and it is not out of pity. I plan on working you and picking your mind all the time."

 "Good then I'll see you tomorrow." 

"Yes Ma'am, I'll meet you at the luggage pick up." 

"Bye," she closed the lid. Took a few deep breaths. She had never thought about the coverage of this case. Anyone looking to hire her could find all that so easy. "Never mind my Facebook account, there are pages and pages of things about me on the computer," she complained to her computer as she scanned the ninth article. 

Opening it back up; she typed in Lucas Monroe. "Lord, there are hundreds of different ones," she complained. Clicking on a few. "He at least knew where I was from. He has a slow southern drawl so he's not from New York," she informed the computer. 

Click, click, and click, ten pages back she found him. It was an article about his grandfather leaving him, his legacy, and the hotel. He was a handsome old man, she could see where Lucas got his looks. She found his whole name and the world opened up. He is older than she thought. He looked maybe twenty-eight but was thirty-five. Unmarried. His father died when he was small, an accident on the Polo court. He fell from his horse as a ball was hit and he was killed by the oncoming horses racing for the ball. Lucas was five at the time. His picture standing with his mother reminded her of the John Kennedy pictures. So sad. She ran her finger over the sad face of this little boy. 

Another told of him receiving his Law degree. She rolled her eyes. "Oh Lord, he is a Lawyer," she whispered and leaned back in her chair and took a deep breath. Something she hadn't done for a while. Going back to viewing his life she found an article about him and his girlfriend. She was a dark-haired beauty. "Well, at least he was not looking to replace her with me. We look nothing alike," she again talked to the computer. She wrote down her name to check her out. "Why am I looking? I'm just an employee." She chastised herself for being so nosey. What else did she have to do? Why not look, he did. 

Going downstairs for food, she wondered what the policy was on eating at the hotel. She made a peanut butter, whipped marshmallow sandwich, and headed back upstairs. Standing on the landing, she realized that it could be a long time before she saw this place again. Turning towards her room she prayed it would be.

At ten to 9:00, she was waiting at the door for the shuttle. The driver called moments before and told her five minutes. Her mother was grilling her about the job. Wanting to know how long she has been emailing back and forth. "Mother I have dozens of emails, and I have skyped with them also with the owner of the company. I'm not stupid it is a real company, or they couldn't advertise on that site. If it does not work out, I will be back and give you plenty of warning." She saw the blue van turn the corner and pulled her suitcases off the porch. The driver rushed around to help her. His friendly smile told her he was going to be a flirt all the way to the Airport. With the bag stored she climbs in and is greeted with five grouchy faces. "Who peed in your Cheerios?" Tomorrow asked as she sat down.

The grumpiest looking one said, "cute. Are you why we had to leave so early?" The particularly grumpy man asked. 

"No, my flight is at 2:30. I thought it was you," she teased, trying to match his grumpy demeanor. The others chuckled.

"Remember, you have to be there two hours early and we have to drive through Houston traffic," the driver quipped back. "One fender bender and we are stuck," he enlightened. "I make this trip four times a day," he said, trying to make them feel sorry for him. 

But it didn't work. Tomorrow got them talking and even the grumpy man started talking ten minutes from the Airport. She continued the story about Chicago. They were all from here, and if someone asked, they would say Chicago. Three of them had the United stop, but they weren't going to the islands. One old woman seemed pleased to be having the same stop. Tomorrow was willing to lift their moods, but she had her suitcases, and she was not going to Atlanta. Nor could she help her, the old lady was going to live with her daughter leaving her home of seventy-two years. 

They arrived by 11:30. She had an hour to waste before she had to be at her gate and then two more after that. Thankfully, her gate and the old woman's gate were in opposite directions. Leaving her with an exhausted attendant, Tomorrow made her way to her gate. 

The dress did its trick, and all the men watched her walk by. One man turned and followed her until she reached her gate, he groaned and turned around and walked back to his gate. She smiled and watched him walk away. 

She didn't need his attention; she wanted to make sure Lucas' first sight of her was memorable. She knew he was looking for something more than just an advertising person. Maybe it would be fun to have sand in her crack. The attendant behind the counter handed her boarding pass to her, giving her the once over. Tomorrow decided to go and check her appearance in the bathroom. For some reason that woman didn't approve of her.

'Maybe it is because I look better than she does,' Tomorrow thought as she walked away. She was glad she didn't have to lug around that suitcase anymore, her carry on was bad enough. Her phone rang as she fixed her lipstick, "Mother, I told you not to call."

"I knew you hadn't gotten on the plane. Listen, we just heard that Billy had solicited someone else to kill you before he ran you off the road," her mother said, "someone came forward and talked to the police. He told the police he blew it off before because he was already in jail for the same thing, but after Billy got out, he said Billy was coming around making remarks about you, and how he should have just paid him to have it done right. It has been all over the news. He is back in jail so you can come home."

"No thanks, I'm going to this job interview. He can rot in jail. What did I do to make him do this? No, it was his father, I was never good enough for him. If I died, they would get sympathy votes. Nope, I'm going to let the Cops and Judges deal with him," she told her mother.

 "Thanks for calling, but my flight is soon so don't call back, unless he has committed suicide."

Tomorrow found a TV that was on one gate up from hers and sure enough, her face was on the TV. No wonder that woman gave her the once over. She was trying to decide if it was me. She wondered if Lucas had picked up on the latest tidbit. He is going to lose this job for me even from jail, she complained, making her way back to her gate.

A few more people looked at her. "I know, I know, I'm leaving the country before he pays the right guy to get me," she told these people who stared right at her. Her phone rang again, "I know my mother called." She said even before he could speak. "I'm still going."

"Ok, no discussion about it." Dante asked.

"No, I can't come back now. I have no idea why he wants me dead. I was good to him, he was a jerk to me, and I have to go."

She complained, "I don't deserve this."

"No, he makes no sense you don't deserve this."

"No. I don't, and I hope this information is truthful and can't be bought off. Lord that family is sick. I need to go Dante; I need to keep my head in the game and get this job. Not so much for the money, but for myself worth, he has stomped me down long enough."

"Ok, I was just hoping…"

"I know my mother was too, but I need to do this for me. You just need to forget about me."

"Ok, that will be hard, but good luck with the job."

"Thanks Bye," she said and tapped her phone against her forehead. This whole thing makes no sense to her. Had he pushed her to leave him, so he was justified in killing her? No, that doesn't make any sense either. His anger seemed genuine or was it hurt? He seemed hurt as he pounded on her window to get her to listen to him. Maybe it was an accident and once she was over the embankment, his chicken shit personality showed itself again. He had a habit of doing that where his father was concerned.

She got up and walked the length of the terminal, and watched the planes come in. She shook her arms, trying to shake off the feeling of dread that was settling over her. She turned to go back to her gate. Everyone watched her. He had actually talked to someone about killing me even before he ran me off the road, she thought as reality swirled in her head. He couldn't stand her and when she crawled up in his lap offering herself to him. Had he been disgusted at the thought of touching her?

A good-looking man who was watching her, she walked up in front of him and asked, "would you kick me out of bed? Is the thought of having sex with me repulsive?" Tomorrow asked, looking concerned, maybe she had some kind of dystrophic disorder. She only thinks she is pretty and no one else does.

"No, you're gorgeous and that man has a problem. So that's a NO to both questions," he said and cleared his throat, looking around to see who heard him.

"Thank you, I thought I was being delusional or something, maybe I just think I'm pretty," she said and flapped her arms to her side as if she was giving up. 

"No, you're pretty," a half dozen people told her at the same time. Then chuckled at the coincidence. 

"Thank you," she said and sat down next to him. 

Moments later, a man who looked ready for a vacation brought her a glass of white wine. "Here sweetie, you need this," he told her as he handed it to her.

"You know some people just lose their minds and do stupid things," a woman sitting behind her said.

 "I thought I was past this, and he couldn't hurt me anymore. Then to find out he wanted me dead even before, he pushed me off the road. It is mind-boggling," Tomorrow said, and got lost in her thoughts. She wanted to know what she did wrong.

She thanked the man for the wine and sat trying to wrap her mind around all of this. On top of all this she has an interview, her first airplane trip and she has to keep her wits about her. When all she wants to do is lie on the floor, throw a fit, and scream until she can't anymore. Maybe that would help.

 *

She sat nursing the wine thinking about their life. She had gone over that day with a fine-tooth comb, day after day, trying to pick out why he was so angry. Was it because she left? But she hadn't thought about much before that day or even three weeks before. Why had his father suddenly pushed for him to break up with her? She knew he had because of a few things Billy mumbled after the fight he had with his father and in the last few weeks before she left him. Whether she wanted to admit it or not her mind was not as clear as it was before the accident. She used to remember almost everything that happens during the day. It drove Billy crazy when she would quote him verbatim if he offered an outing or a purchase. Had she heard or seen something his father was afraid she would talk about. She would have to think about that for a long time. Maybe start writing down any thoughts she had. 

The problem was she has attended so many fundraisers, company business dinners, and parties with his family they are all smooched together. Same ugly faces and stupid conversations it all blends. Thinking about how carefully she had dressed not to be over seductive, but to keep certain people's attention. She prided herself on being friendly, helpful, and a good reflection on his family. He sure blew that with his stunts. There went daddy's chance at the Senate. She smugly thought. Couldn't happen to a nicer family. 

Everyone around her got up, had she missed the call for boarding, or the others were psychic. Collecting her purse and small carry-on she boarded the plane. The attendant checked her ticket and sat her in the front. The others who passed her up were heading for the cheap seats. She smiled at her accommodations Lucas had not scrimped. 

The handsome man, who assured her she was pretty, sat next to her. "Are you doing better?" He asked, sounding genuinely concerned. He placed his laptop in his lap and waited for her answer.

"I am. I 'm just trying to figure out what went wrong with our relationship. You know I could understand if I was a bitch or frigid but I'm not either one of those," she told him, seeming to be thinking about her past life.

"You know some men are just stupid, they don't know what they have until it's gone," he told her, and Tomorrow caught on quick he was past that subject. 

"What takes you to the Virgin Islands?" She asked, trying to change that subject, but kept him talking. She didn't want to get caught up in her own thoughts again.

"I have some banking business there. I'll be in and out by tomorrow."

"It's a long way for just one day."

"True, but it can't be helped," he told her with a smile, and asked, "what brings you there?"

"I have a job interview at a local hotel. The owner is reopening and needs advertising help."

"Lucas, Monroe?" He asked, sounding a little put off.

"I take it you know him," Tomorrow asked, concerned by his question. She knew she should not have jumped at the offer. He is probably a letch."

"Personally, not really. I have been hearing about his venture for the last few months. He wants to open a singles hotel in a hotel that was a family orientated hotel and has had to make major changes to appeal to the younger crowd. Have you two met?"

"No, we will soon."

The seat belt sign went on and she checked to make sure her belt was tight. Her family may have had money, but they weren't travelers. Her father's business kept them at home. A trip to Surf Side beach was as far as they went. 

Tomorrow sat back, gripped the armrest white knuckled and prepared to take off. 

"First time?" The man asked.

"Yes," Tomorrow answered, looking out the window as the buildings passed by so quickly with a slight jerk they were up.

"Kind of old to be a virgin."

Swinging her head around, she looked at him galled at the statement.

Chuckling, he said, "I meant for being a first-time flier. I was not trying to offend."

"Yes, I am. We aren't an adventuresome lot," she told him looking out the window. Now she wasn't interested in talking to him either.

"Well, he should be happy you're beautiful, friendly, intelligent, and bold. All the things needed for his place."

"Thank you I think," she said, not sure how to translate his compliment. 

He opened his laptop and started to search some files so Tomorrow left him alone. 

She watched the land slip away and the bay opened up to a blue ocean. It actually became clear blue once you got away from the coastline. With only blue and clouds to look at she closed her eyes and attempted a nap. The nap is forgotten when the beverage cart comes by moments later. Another small glass of wine and Tomorrow felt very mellow. Billy was forgotten and her adventure lay ahead. She was going to a tropical island for her first actual job. Which was something she needed to hide from Mr. Monroe. 

He wants to attract young people, she can do that, maybe. She was not even sure what young people do any more. Billy had kept her so isolated; fun was something she knew nothing about. Chatting with olds coots yes, young people no. Placing her hand over her eyes, she thought, 'Oh Lord, what have I done. What do I know about fun and sexy? Panic sets in, she has been such a fool, he is going to see right through me, and I'll be accepting a job in Victoria Texas for a radio station. Hello, this is Tomorrow Jones for 107.09 K blab; blab have you ever thought about advertising on the radio CLICK. Oh well, I guess I can go home and wait to be killed. Fighting back the tears, she had to stay positive. Maybe he would hold her in the basement and use her as a sex slave. At least she would get some. She groaned at her lot in life. 

This is not what she expected to be doing at twenty-four almost twenty-five. She wanted to be like Today have a good husband, a nice home, and a kid on the way by now. What does she have an ex-boyfriend in jail, another she dumped for convenience, and a stupid haircut going to a job interview with a letch who will lock her in a basement. What a fool.

Biting her knuckle, she brought herself out of her funk. It had always helped before. She needs to focus on the pain there instead of in her head. She is going to a job interview with a man who thinks she is perfect. He said it twice, once in an email and once on Skype. She checked her knuckle to make sure she hadn't left deep teeth marks. For a while, there with Billy she had spent half her day with her knuckle in her mouth. At times it had been a bloody mess. Had he noticed NO. If she finds she is chewing her hand off with this new job, she is going home, period. Again, she chastised herself for being negative. Lucas had spent his good money to have her in this expensive seat. Another glass of wine and she was napping as the sun was setting on the other side of the plane. 

The engine changed sound waking Tomorrow. The man next to her slept on as did a number of other people. They didn't seem concerned, so she relaxed. The seatbelt sign came on again a few minutes later she checked hers was still tight. That trip to the ladies' room was out now. He would be waiting at the baggage claim, she hoped there would be a restroom near the gate before she sees him. She needs to go, and brush her teeth, she didn't need him smelling the alcohol on her breath. Three glasses of wine were a lot for her, but she was relaxed. 

The man next to her woke up with the announcement they were landing. "It will get noisy, but don't let it scare you; it is just the thrusters powering down. I realized once you fell asleep, I hadn't introduced myself, I'm David Comorian."

"I was just thinking the same thing here; I was chatting away to you as if I knew you. I'm Tomorrow Jones," she said and stuck out her hand to shake. 

"I knew that; but it is nice to meet you and if you ever need to hide. I have a basement in DC where I live. You can have it."

She laughed. "I was just thinking that Lucas Monroe was probably going to stick me in his basement. I have been such a fool I have come all this way not knowing him."

"Nah, they don't have basements there. The ocean is too close, it would flood all the time," he teased.

"Well, that is good to know, I at least have the possibility of sunshine where I'm being held," she said and continued to laugh but it was from nerves. The island was close and so was this new life she was looking for. 

He handed her his business card. "Really, if you need to hide, it is nice, and I have a big flat screen down there."

"Thanks, that sounds better than going home to die."

"No, I think they have him this time.  I watched it this morning in my hotel room, it seems like a good case this time. They discussed the other one and it did sound like entrapment, but this one with his friend they have him."

"That's good; but I didn't know he had friends. He never went anywhere," Tomorrow said, trying to figure out when that conversation could have happened. "Unless he has been set-up again, because honestly, he went nowhere, spoke to no one," she told him. 

"If that is true, then why does someone want him out of the picture and you dead?" 

David was looking at her with a puzzled look on her face, "I'm sorry have I up-set you again?" 

"But truly, no he didn't go anywhere, he is a homebody unless he is dragged to one of his father's fundraisers or parties. He is rather a dull boy," Tomorrow told him thinking about her dull sexless life, "so if he didn't say that? Then who wants him in jail and me dead or scared off?" She asked. 

"That is a very good question Nancy Drew," David teased.

"Oh no. Not me, he can rot in jail for what he tried to do to me." 

The plane landed without a bump, collecting her stuff David and she deplaned first. She told him goodbye and found a restroom at the gate exit. Doing a quick makeup check, she brushed her teeth, applied lipstick, and peed she was ready to face her letch that she hoped he was a prince. She could use a knight on a white horse about now. At least the desire to have sex has been sedated for now. Thank you, Dante.

David was talking with Lucas as she approached. They both turned and smiled, she could see the appreciation of her body in their eyes as she approached score one for her. "Tomorrow. Mr. Comorian says you have been making friends on the plane," Lucas said as he took her offered hand. 

"Yes, he was my row mate and a good sounding board," she said, watching his eyes for signs of jealousy. He had no right to be jealous, she was nothing to him, but men can be strange. Relieved, she saw none, she continued on, "I'm in the news again back home and he has been helping me work through the mess."

"I know I saw on the internet that man just doesn't stop does he."

"Apparently not," David said, kissing her cheek. "Remember my offer," he said and walked away with a pat on Lucas's shoulder thinking what a lucky man he was. 

She was happy he left so she could pay attention to Lucas. They made their way to the luggage retrieval area. "I'm assuming you are hungry. We have good seafood here and tasty Mexican food. I can offer that at this time of night," he offered with a handsome smile. 

"I'm sorry you have to be out this late," Tomorrow offered, nap or not the day has been long. 

"No, don't be in the hotel business late nights are a must. That is when the fun starts," he told her as he pulled her large suitcases off the conveyor belt as she pointed it out. 

"Is this your way of telling me to get used to being up late?"

"Yes, once the hotel is up and running fully staffed, we will be getting up at noon and going until, who knows."

Tomorrow smiled at him, "You're looking forward to this crazy lifestyle." 

"I am, I have been doing the 'nine to five' or more like 'nine to seven', for so long that having some fun sounds good. Are you ready for fun Tomorrow?" He teased and bumped her hip with his. Surrounded by the others from the gate, she received a number of smiles from the women and the men eyed Lucas. They seemed to approve of my choice. 

"I'm ready for something different," she assured him. 

Dinner was good, they went for Mexican food. Very different from the Tex Mex she was used to, but she enjoyed it. He talked on and on about the hotel, she could see the pride in his eyes as he spoke. "I'm assuming you don't speak Spanish, do you?"

"Poquito," Tomorrow said, holding her fingers apart a smidge. She took two years in high school, but that was long gone.

"Not a problem I don't either, we will need Roseate Stone for dummies," he again teased and displayed that winning smile. Endearing him to her as they spoke.

"I have been threatening to buy one for years. Most of the people around here speak English anyways." 

"I heard a lot called out to me in school. The Hispanic boys like my long blond hair," Tomorrow said a little embarrassed she even brought it up.

"No, they liked a lot more than just your hair. You're beautiful and I bet you have been all your life."

"Actually, no I was a gangly and awkward teen. My arms were too long, my mouth too big, no this happened after I turned seventeen."

"Just in time for college and I'm sure you drove those boys crazy too." 

"Only some. I met Billy and that put a stop to most flirting with the other boys."

"You mean he staked his claim to you that young," Lucas said, sounding dumbfounded. She has lived a very sheltered life he realized. 

"Yes, he was my one and only," Tomorrow said, sounding dreamy eyed, but he caught on to the sarcasm. 

"So, if you have been with the same boy for seven years, you're not a party girl."

"No, I'm not, I bet you could show me how to be."

"Nope, then some good-looking hunk will steal you away," he said teasingly, but there was concern in his eyes. There was the jealousy Tomorrow had looked for before. Just a hint as if he was staking his claim the more, he got to know her. 

Placing her hands together and pressing them against her cheek, she said, sounding like a girl from the old west, "oh yes, you know how I love me some big hunky men," they both laughed. "Now the only thing that can sway me is a connection," Tomorrow said, thinking about how it felt to kiss Dante, and hoping she could find that again. That man did it for her with every touch, every kiss, but she had to leave him.