Chapter Nine

When the finally made it to the restaurant, it was closer to eight o’clock than it was seven. Richie threaded his fingers through Jen’s and they made their way to the back room.

“It’s about fucking time,” Jon said with a smirk as he blatantly checked his watch. “I assume she is the reason you’re late.”

“’She’ has a name,” Jen said, indignantly. “It’s ‘Jen’.” She held out her hand. “Nice to meet you. “I’ve admired your work for years.”

Jon raised an eyebrow at Richie. This woman had balls. And a figure that wouldn’t quit. No wonder Rich was late. “Pleasure, baby,” Jon answered, turning on the full smile.

Jen rolled her eyes at Jon’s smarmy charm. He sure was laying it on thick. She was introduced to David and Tico and the five of them sat down.

“Are you sure I’m not interrupting something here?” Jen asked. “If you guys need to talk shop, I can make something back at my apartment.”

Jon shook his head. “We’re not talking about anything important, baby. You’re welcome to stay, as long as you can handle the four of us.”

Jen laughed. “First of all, Jon, my name is just like yours, except with a ‘eh’ sound in the middle. It shouldn’t be that hard for you to say. Second, if I can handle Sambora, I think the rest of you will be a piece of cake.”

“Is that a dare?” David asked, smiling wickedly.

“Hell no,” Jen answered. “It’s a promise.”

Tico laughed. “Well, Jen,” he said, emphasizing her name, “since you’ve already put Jon neatly in his place, I tend to believe you.”

The fivesome had a relaxing dinner, enjoying each other’s company. Her wit and total disregard for their celebrity made them like her right away. When the waitress had dropped off the dessert menus, David slid Richie a look. “You gonna order the Blindfold, Jen?” he snickered.

Jen looked at Richie and arched an eyebrow. Richie explained. “This restaurant has a dessert where a black silk blindfold is served with a platter of different chocolate goddies, and the taster is required to wear the blindfold while the partner feeds her each piece. The treats change nightly to maintain the surprise element and always feature different textures, temperatures and flavors ranging from spicy to savory to sweet.”

“Oh really?” Jen asked, her interested piqued.

“So,” David said, “You game for that?”

“Are you offering to split it with me, gorgeous?” Jen asked, winking at him. “I’m game if you’ll wear the blindfold.” She smiled evilly at him, and David grinned. The others just laughed.

“Hell yeah,” David said, rubbing his hands together.

“Hell NO,” Richie said, a mock frown on his face. “If anyone’s gonna enjoy Jen and a blindfold in the same room, it’s gonna be me.” He looked at Jen and pulled on her scarf. “Right, darlin’?” He locked eyes with her, and the rest of the room disappeared.

“Whatever you say,” Jen said, licking her lips.

“Jesus, Rich,” Jon said. “Give it a rest already.” He looped an arm around Jen’s chair. “Frankly, I don’t know why you’d bother with either of those idiots in the first place.”

“Why?” Jen asked. “Are you a better kind of idiot?”

Richie laughed and kissed Jen soundly on the mouth. “Keep that up, darlin’, and I may just have to keep you.”

Jon smirked. “How come he doesn’t get shit for not using your name?”

“Because I slept with him,” she said, making Tico and David choke on their drinks. “He gets to take, shall we say, ‘special liberties’ with me now.”

“Really?” Jon asked, turning in his chair. “Such as...”

“Oh baby, things that’d make your toes curl,” Jen answered with a wink. “But I don’t fuck and tell,” she finished. “I’ll let Richie share what he wants.”

“And before you ask,” Richie inserted, “I do NOT want to share her.” He pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her waist.

They bickered and bantered for the better part of the night, until Jen was unable to keep from yawning. “Guys, not that this hasn’t been fun, but I have to work tomorrow, and I’m beat.” She stood, arching her back and groaned appreciatively when it popped. The guys all stood, and she shook everyone’s hand. “It really was a pleasure to meet all of you. You’re fun.”

“Likewise,” Jon said, kissing her cheek. “Bro, you stayin’ or goin’ with?”

“What do you think?” Richie said, rolling his eyes. “Would you let her go home alone if you had the choice? I’ll see your ugly face tomorrow.”

With that, Richie and Jen left the restaurant, and headed back to Jen’s apartment. The three remaining friends all watched them leave.

“What do you think?” Jon asked the others.

“I liked her,” Tico said. “She seemed to be quite down-to-earth.”

“Yeah,” David agreed, “and fuck, she was hot! I definitely liked her.”

Jon rolled his eyes. “Shit, Dave, has Rich ever hooked up with someone who wasn’t beautiful? I mean, do you think she’s good people?”

The other two men said they thought she was. “What about you?” Tico asked Jon.

Jon just nodded.