Southern Comfort (9781622863747) Page 9

  “Well I’m off. Ta-ta, friend.”

  Piper pranced out of the door as Willow’s computer began to ring the familiar Skype sound. She sat down at the table, ran her hand through her hair quickly and pressed answer. Katrina’s face appeared; she was sitting in her office wearing her white chef’s jacket.

  “Hey you.” Willow smiled.

  “Hey, I am so sorry I’ve been running around like a madwoman these last few days.”

  “No need, I totally understand.” Willow shook her head when she noticed her hair was looking kind of funny.

  “You look beautiful as usual.” Katrina knew whenever Willow shook her head in the camera it was because she didn’t like her hair.

  “Yeah, right. How are things coming along?”

  Katrina began explaining the changes to the menu she made. She added some new pasta dishes that were similar to things they tried while in Italy. Willow could listen to her talk about food all day. She loved how excited Katrina got over food and wine.

  “So while I have you on the phone let me write down what time your flight gets in,” Katrina said grabbing a pen.

  “Saturday, noon.”

  “Okay, I will be at the airport to pick you up.”

  “Hey I know that day is going to be crazy for you. I can just take a cab to the hotel.”

  “Hotel? What hotel?” Katrina’s confused face amused Willow.

  “I thought it might be best that I stay at a hotel for the first few days.”

  “Why?”

  “I know you are busy I don’t want to be in the way.”

  “Babe, you not being in my bed is going to be a problem.” Katrina stared directly into the camera. She wanted Willow to see how serious she was.

  A loud noise came from the kitchen startling both of them.

  “Okay let me go cancel that room immediately.”

  Katrina blew a kiss at Willow. Willow hung up with the same floating feeling she got whenever she talked to Katrina.

  Willow stood in her dress after finishing the alterations. She studied her curves to make sure everything was lying in the right place. She paused when her cell phone started ringing. Willow picked up her phone to see an unknown number flashing. She thought about not answering but something told her to pick it up.

  “Hello?”

  “Willow, it’s Corrie,” Corrie said in a panic.

  Willow heard a lot of racket coming from the other end of the phone. “Corrie, what is going on?”

  “I need you to come get your friend; she’s going crazy.”

  Willow grabbed her keys and ran out of the house. She got in her car driving as quickly as she could toward Corrie’s house. Luckily Corrie didn’t live too far, but even with a bit of London traffic it could cause a delay. Corrie lived in an urban part of the city surrounded by pubs and nightclubs. Seeing people, tons of people, out in the streets was a normal thing. Willow pulled up noticing a group of people standing around Corrie’s home.

  “Fucking bastard!”

  Willow ran up to see Piper being held back by two men who seemed to be enjoying the moment most of all.

  “Whoa what is going on?” Willow yelled as she ran to her friend.

  “What’s going on is I found this fucktard sleeping with that twat!” Piper’s words spit out like venom.

  “Who you calling a twat you fucking slut!” The unattractive girl attempted to charge toward Piper but was stopped by Corrie and two other men.

  “The fuck, Corrie?” Willow cursed.

  “The hell, Willow, I told your friend it was over but she is mental as usual.”

  “Mental? I’ll show you mental!” Piper attempted to break through but the men held her tight.

  Willow stood in front of Piper. She put her hands on her friend’s shoulders in an effort to calm her down. “Piper, come with me, she’s not worth it. Neither one of them are.”

  “Get her out of here before someone calls the bobbies,” Corrie yelled.

  Willow rolled her eyes at Corrie before turning back to her furious friend. “Let’s get out of here before the police show up. Come with me, friend.”

  Piper froze when she heard a siren. She grabbed her purse off the ground and took Willow by her hand. “Don’t ever bloody call me again!”

  “I won’t!” Corrie yelled as Willow closed the door behind Piper.

  “Sod off, Corrie, you piece of shit. Stay away from my friend!” Willow got in her car and quickly drove off.

  Piper started crying as soon as she got in the car. Willow rubbed her friend’s hair while trying to pay attention to the traffic.

  “I am such an idiot,” Piper cried.

  “No, you aren’t. She is for treating you this way,” Willow said as she waited at a light.

  She knew as a friend she had to say that, but deep down she did feel Piper was crazy for continuing to deal with Corrie. She could only hope this time would be the final time. Piper’s high voice pierced Willow’s ears as she continued to wail.

  Once calm, Piper explained that she had a fight with Corrie and was going to her home in an attempt to make up. It wasn’t farfetched considering it was what they did all the time. Still having a key to Corrie’s home, she let herself in only to find Corrie with her face buried between the woman’s legs.

  “I am done this time. I never want to see her again.” Piper’s voice cracked.

  “Good, honey, let’s go inside. I’ll make you some tea.”

  Willow arrived at her flat and helped Piper inside. Before the tea kettle could whistle Piper was knocked out on her sofa. She covered her friend up with a blanket before retiring to her room. Willow crawled in to her bed. She couldn’t stop thinking about Katrina. A familiar insecurity entered her mind. The reason she never dated seriously was because she never wanted to be in the situation Piper was in. She pushed those thoughts to the back of her head. Katrina was different; she knew it in her heart. Willow knew Katrina was the one; she only hoped Katrina truly felt the same way. In three days she would know for sure.

  Chapter 13

  Willow couldn’t get off the plane quick enough. Her master plan was coming together perfectly. She grabbed her carryon bag and rushed off the plane as soon as she could. The Memphis airport was very different from what she was used to, but the airport was the least of her concerns. She was happy she didn’t have to go through customs again. She endured that disaster at the Chicago airport. She filled out the customs forms and answered the rude agent’s dumb questions before they let her through the gate. The flight to Memphis was packed; she was glad she upgraded to business class, even if it was for the shorter flight.

  Willow arrived in the baggage claim area of the Memphis airport. She saw a girl with natural hair in a twist out standing near the belt, holding an iPad with her name across it. She smiled, recognizing Devon’s face from pictures she’d seen.

  Devon had seen plenty of photos of Willow but never imagined she would be even better looking in person. She definitely had her own style about her. Willow’s curls bounced as she skipped toward Devon.

  “Finally,” Devon said as she held her arms out.

  “Devon, pleasure to finally meet you, darling.” Willow hugged Devon.

  “Oh listen to that accent, too cute.”

  The buzzer rang as the bags started falling to the luggage belt.

  “So how was the flight?” Devon asked as she sized up Willow. The beauty was obvious but very different from Saura. Where Willow had a more down-to-earth appeal, Saura had a much more exotic look to her. Willow looked like the girl you take home, where Saura was the girl you took to an awards show.

  “Bloody long, but that doesn’t matter. I’m here now. Does she know anything?”

  Devon shook her head. She received a call from Willow a week before letting her know the plan. Willow was going to tell Katrina that her flight was delayed until the next day, which would mean she missed the party. Devon was to pick her up at the airport and take her to a hotel where she would catch a ca
b and surprise Katrina at the party. Everything was working out perfectly. Katrina was upset she was missing the party, but was too busy to think that anything was up.

  “So the hotel I got you isn’t far from the restaurant. I checked you into the Madison, which is one of the nicest hotels in the city,” Devon said as Willow grabbed her bag.

  “Thank you so much, Devon.” Willow smiled.

  “No problem, anything to make Katrina happy.”

  The two headed out of the airport to Devon’s car. Memphis at first glance didn’t leave anything for Willow to be excited about. As soon as they hit downtown her feeling changed. It was very different from London, but had an exciting feel about it. She noticed immediately how courteous everyone seemed to be.

  Devon dropped Willow at the front door of the hotel. She had to get back to the restaurant to make sure everything was going according to plan. Willow was shocked at how spacious the room was. Standard hotel rooms in London were usually very small; sometimes the two beds would actually touch one another in a twin room. She had a large king-sized bedroom and a bathroom the size of her bedroom in her flat.

  Willow couldn’t resist the urge to run and jump on the plush bed. She closed her eyes. In a few short hours she would be back in Katrina’s arms.

  Teri rushed to finish the paperwork for her office. She knew Katrina would kill her if she was late for the opening. Ming stood in the doorway to Teri’s office.

  “What do you think?” Ming asked holding up a light pink shirt.

  “I think it’s very pink,” Teri said only glancing at the shirt for a quick second.

  “I know right. I am going to be the belle of the ball tonight, honey, just you wait and see.” Ming threw his hair as if he had a head full of hair. Teri couldn’t help but laugh when Ming let the flaming side of him show.

  “Party tonight?”

  The voice caused the both to turn their heads. Standing in the pharmacy was Vivian. Teri resisted the urge to stare at her chocolate legs in the short skirt she had on. Teri could almost picture her completely naked, wearing just her doctor’s jacket she had on.

  “Um, something like that,” Teri sat up in her chair. She felt nervous all of a sudden.

  “Don’t be modest, Teri. Her best friend is opening a restaurant tonight.” Ming’s voice completely changed. He was back in professional mode sounding like the average Asian man.

  “Oh that sounds exciting. I’m sure it will be amazing. I just came down to say hello to you. It’s been awhile. I guess you were right about being locked back here.” Victoria giggled.

  “Oh well looks like you have the key to the lock, so never be a stranger.” Teri smiled.

  Victoria’s eyes locked on Teri. They stared at each other as if to see who would buckle first. Ming watched the stare down going on. He remembered what his boyfriend said. There did seem to be an attraction there.

  “Oh, Ms. Gold—”

  “Call me Victoria,” she said without taking her eyes off Teri.

  “Well, Victoria, you should come tonight. It’s going to be a very nice event.” Ming nodded his head.

  “I’m sure there’s like a list or something,” Victoria shook her head.

  “Hello, it’s Teri’s best friend. She can get you on the list.” Ming suddenly didn’t care about his demeanor. It was obvious to him that he was in the presence of family. “Isn’t that right, Teri?”

  Teri couldn’t take her eyes off Victoria. She could see herself fucking Victoria right on her desk. Ming hitting her desk was the only thing to bring her back to reality.

  “Oh, yeah, I can put you as my plus one if you would like to come.”

  Victoria’s right side of her mouth curled up. She focused back on Teri. “That actually sounds great. It’s a date then?”

  “Yeah. A date,” Teri replied.

  Teri and Ming watched as Victoria sashayed out of their office. As soon as the door closed Ming’s head flung back around toward Teri.

  “You little sneaky bitch.” Ming sat in the chair next to Teri’s desk.

  “What are you talking about?” Teri said glancing back down at the paperwork on her desk.

  “You and Victoria, why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because there wasn’t anything to tell. I’m just as shocked right now as you are.”

  Ming crossed his legs. He picked up a piece of paper and started fanning himself. “Whatever; all I know is it is hot in here and I bet it going to be an inferno in the party tonight.”

  Teri shook her head as Ming left for the night. She sat in her chair thinking about the encounter. Victoria was going to be her date for the night. Teri decided the paperwork could wait. She no longer could wear something out of her closet; she needed a new outfit for the night.

  Chapter 14

  Katrina watched as the crowd started to swell outside the restaurant. She was a wreck. Her hands were clammy and her heart felt like it was going to beat right out of her chest. She watched as press snapped photos of local dignitaries as they arrived. She couldn’t believe some of the faces that were walking in the door.

  Devon knocked on the door two times before walking in. She knew she looked amazing in her black pencil dress that was fitting the curves she worked hard to achieve. Her hair was laid; the Brazilian blowout was worth every penny she spent for it.

  “Hey, Chef, it’s almost time for your big debut.” Devon smiled.

  Her smile quickly changed when she saw the terrified expression on Katrina’s face. Devon ran as quickly as her heels would allow her toward her friend who was mid panic attack.

  “Calm down Katrina. Misty!”

  A short girl wearing black pants and a black button-down appeared in the door.

  “Water!” Devon fanned Katrina as the girl ran to get water.

  “I don’t know what is happening to me. I can’t do this.” Katrina fought to catch her breath.

  “It’s just a little panic attack, take deep breaths.”

  “What’s up, bitches! Oh shit what is happening?” Teri said as she ran over to her friends.

  “She’s just having a little panic attack, right?” Devon stared at Teri who quickly caught the message she was trying to send.

  “Oh yeah, just a little panic attack. Calm down, Tree; it’s going to be okay.” Teri ran out of the room as Misty arrived with water.

  Katrina tried to sip the water but it wasn’t helping. She was freaking completely out. Her chef’s jacket felt like it was strangling her. She pulled at the jacket until all the clasps unsnapped. She pulled the jacket off and threw it on the ground.

  “Tree, please calm down.” Devon continued to fan her friend.

  “What the fuck was I thinking? This is a horrible idea.” Katrina shook her head feverishly. “I can’t do this.”

  “Fuck outta here with that, dude.” Teri appeared back in the door holding a bottle of Patrón. She put three shot glasses on the table, and opened the brand new bottle. She poured three shots into the shot glasses and handed one to each of her friends.

  “You can do this. You were born to do this. Now suck that shit up and take the shot.”

  Teri held her glass up. Katrina looked at Devon who followed holding her glass close to Teri’s. Katrina’s body started to cool off. She continued to take deep breaths as she held the glass up to her friends.

  “This is to the best fucking chef in all of Memphis; hell in all of the fucking South!”

  The friends clicked the glasses against each other and swallowed the shots. The tequila burned, but lit a fire in Katrina that she needed. She picked up her jacket.

  “Let’s do this.”

  The building was packed. The live band played covers of R&B classics as waiters walked around with trays of small sample portions of the restaurant’s signature dishes. Devon charmed reporters making sure they knew what to say in their publications the next day. Katrina made sure the kitchen was running perfectly before going back in her office to change into her suit for the night.

>   Carlos and Ming walked up to Teri who was nursing a drink at the bar. Carlos looked like something straight out of GQ magazine. Ming was dressed to impress in his black suit with pink shirt and pink and black bowtie. Teri laughed at the women who were quickly disappointed when they realized Carlos was there with Ming.

  “This is fabulous, honey; your girl did her thang,” Carlos said as he shook Teri’s hand.

  “It is amazing isn’t it?” Teri said. She had to admit she was proud of her friend.

  “So where is your date?” Ming batted his eyes.

  “Oh yes, Ming told me about sexual chocolate coming to see you today.”

  Both men nudged each other playfully. Teri shrugged her shoulders. Victoria hadn’t made it and she was starting to think she was being stood up.

  “Hey let me get you guys a drink on me.” Teri smiled.

  “Bitch, the drinks are free.” Ming playfully hit Teri. The three toasted to the special occasion.

  “Oh . . . my . . . Gawd.” Ming’s face dropped.

  Teri and Carlos both turned around. Walking toward them was Victoria. Her hair was pulled back in a perfect bun. Teri felt the heat rising as she studied the tight red dress Victoria was sporting. The diamond bracelet caught the light causing a flash of light to sparkle in Teri’s eyes.

  “Hi, guys,” Victoria greeted the group.

  “Okay, don’t sue me, because, honey, I am not coming on to you, but damn you are wearing that dress.” Carlos took Victoria by her hand, spinning her around. Victoria hugged Carlos giving Teri time to check out her ass. Teri could practically picture her bent over.

  Victoria turned to Teri. She flashed her white smile.

  “Thank you for the invitation, this is quite the gathering,” Victoria said admiring the décor.

  “Not a problem, anytime.” Teri wrapped her arms around Victoria. Her aroma only heightened Teri’s attraction. “Would you like a drink?”