Chapter 6

Valerie and Nikki are walking through the mall trying to decide what store they want to go to next. Neither of them finding anything they can justify buying. More than anything they just enjoy being able to hang out since their busy schedules keep them from getting together as much as they’d like. Unlike when they were in high school spending just about everyday together, doing their best to stay out of trouble, but failing more often than not.

“Hey, why don’t we go to Macy’s. I found some cute jeans there last time.” Valerie suggests.

“Alright, fine .... let’s go there.” Nikki teases in mock annoyance.

“Well don’t let me twist your arm.” Valerie replies sarcastically, causing both of them to laugh.

They continue walking towards the department store when Valerie’s cell phone starts to ring. She pulls it out of her purse and glances at the caller ID. She doesn’t recognize the number, but is hopeful it’s Richie.

“Hello?” she answers.

“Hey darling.”

“Hi Richie. Are you at the mall?” Valerie can feel the butterflies starting in her stomach.

“Yeah, I just parked my car. Where are you at?” Richie replies.

“We’re walking towards Macy’s”

“Ok, I’ll meet you there.”

“Alright, see you in a minute.” Valerie responds, then they both hang up.

“So I finally get to meet this mystery man.” Nikki comments, seeing the flush in her friend’s cheeks.

Valerie smiles. “Yeah you do.”

They stand in front of the store waiting. A few minutes later Valerie spots Richie walking past a crowd of people. “There he is.” Valerie points him out.

Nikki turns around and looks at the man approaching them. Tall, dark, and handsome.....not bad. If it wasn’t for the fact that she was already married, she might have been jealous. He’s face looks somewhat familiar, but she can’t quite picture where she’s seen him. She looks at Valerie with a questioning look.

“Good afternoon, Ladies.” Richie greets them with his charming smile.

“Hey Richie, let me introduce you to my friend.....This is Nikki.” Valerie gestures to her friend standing beside her. “And Nikki this is Richie .... Richie Sambora.”

Nikki still looks confused, but holds out her hand to shake Richie’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Valerie hasn’t told me much about you, yet” She gives Valerie an accusing look.

Valerie chuckles a little at her friend’s discomfort. “Sorry Nic, Richie is the guitarist for Bon Jovi.”

Nikki looks at Valerie with a shocked expression on her face. “You’re serious?” She glances back over at the guitarist, appraising him again.

“See.... I told you, you wouldn’t believe me if I didn’t show you.”
“Wow ..... and you guys met at the bar?”

Valerie smiles remembering the night before. “Yeah, I was surprised too. Richie and Jon were there last night when Chris and the band played. They came over and chatted with us, and offered the band a record contract.”

“Well good for Chris, about time someone recognizes his talent. And I assume you guys hit it off?” Nikki asks looking at the couple.

“Yeah, I guess you could say that.” Valerie replies looking into Richie’s eyes, smiling.

“Well you’re a brat, I can’t believe you didn’t invite me. I missed out on all the fun.” Nikki pouts.

Valerie chuckles. “I told you sorry.”

“Yeah ... you’re not sorry.” Nikki accuses.

“Nope, not really.” Valerie admits.

Richie can’t help but chuckle at the banter between the two ladies. He’s really enjoying seeing this fun, playful side of Valerie’s personality.

“Well let go see if this store has anything worth a damn.” Valerie suggests, not wanting to stand around anymore.

They walk to the clothing section in the store, Valerie and Nikki start browsing through the racks, while Richie stands back to watch them. Valerie finds a pair of dark blue, almost black jeans, that she likes the looks of. She scans the racks again until she find a top to go with them, a black halter top with a tribal design.

“Ok I think I’ve found what I want, but I’m going to try them on to be sure.” Valerie tells Richie.

“Where are the dressing rooms?” Richie asks.

“Just over there.” Valerie points to a doorway not to far from them.

Richie follows Valerie to the dressing room and waits outside the door, while she goes in to try on the clothes. He has to force himself to not go in the room and help her out of her clothes.

“I hope your not just leading my friend on to believe you’re interested in her, if your not.” Nikki startles Richie.

Richie didn’t realize she was standing behind him, pretending to be looking through the rack of clothes. He could see the seriousness in her face. “I really like Valerie, and I’m serious about seeing where things will go between us.”

“Just be patient with her, she’s been through a lot with what her ex put her through. None of us want to see her get hurt.” Nikki warns him.

“Trust me, I have no intentions of hurting her.” Richie promises.

About that time Valerie emerges from the dressing room with the new outfit on. Richie takes one look at her then feels the sudden rush of blood to his lower regions. Damn, she looks hot in that. The jeans hug her curves in all the right places, and the top shows off just enough of her cleavage to drive him crazy. As good as the outfit looks on her, he can’t wait to see it in a heap beside his bed.

“So how does it look?” Valerie asks, slowly turning in a circle in front of Richie, a little self conscious.

“Damn girl, it looks great.” Richie manages to get out between slow calming breaths.

“Are you ok?” Valerie can’t help smiling at Richie’s obvious discomfort.

“God, if you only knew the effect your having on me right now.” Richie confesses.

Valerie flashes him a seductive smile then heads back into the dressing room to change back into her other clothes. Richie is trying his hardest to calm himself down before Valerie comes back out.

Valerie comes back out of the dressing room after changing back into her clothes. She finds her friend Nikki talking on the phone. Richie follows Valerie to where her friend is standing.

“Sorry Val, it sounds like I need to head back home. Jimmy just called, I guess the girls have taken him hostage.” Nikki apologizes.

Valerie chuckles at the image of two little girls taking their father hostage. “Hey, no problem. Tell Jimmy not to be afraid to stand up to them.”

“Yeah they have him wrapped around their little fingers.” Nikki replies with a look of annoyance.

“We’ll have to get together and do this again sometime.”

“Yeah of course, I’ll see what my schedule looks like. Maybe we can get together in a couple weeks.” Nikki suggests.

“Yeah sure, at least I’ll be done with school by then.” Valerie agrees.

“Ok sister, I’ll got to go. Give me a call later.” Nikki gives Valerie a hug. Then she turns and holds out her hand to Richie. “It was nice meeting you, Richie. Take care of my friend”

Richie shakes Nikki’s hand. “It was nice meeting you too.”

Nikki leaves the couple heading back through the mall to where she parked her car.

“Well, I need to go pay for these clothes. Maybe afterwards, we can go to my house, order a pizza and watch a movie.” Valerie suggests as she starts walking towards a cashier.

“Sounds good to me.” Richie replies, trying to stop all the naughty images running through his head.

Valerie pays for her items, then the couple walks through the mall to the parking lot where Richie’s car is parked. Richie opens the door for Valerie and waits for her to get in before shutting the door, and getting in himself.

“Ok darling, you’ll have to remind me how to get to your house.” Richie asks.

Valerie smiles then gives him the directions again. “You handled shopping at the mall very well. Half expected you to start complaining about being bored.” Valerie comments.

Richie chuckles. “Honestly, I could have stood there and watched you try on all the clothes in that store. You have a gorgeous body.”

Valerie blushes at the compliment. “Thanks” Damn, he makes me nervous.

On the way to her house, Valerie pulls out her cell phone and calls her local pizza parlor. She places an order for a large supreme pizza to be delivered. When they get to her house she tells Richie to go ahead and park in the driveway. She notices that Chris’ truck is gone, no doubt he’s at Deanna’s house for the weekend. Valerie can’t help but feel a little nervous having Richie at her house, alone.