He has this germ phobia."
"Maybe he had to go real bad and couldn't hold his bladder."
Satoshi chuckled. "I love your sense of humor and that gown you're wearing." He dipped her and then pulled her back into his arms.
She wasn't going to feed him the same story about Harper and the underwear. One horny pop singer was enough for her. "My boss picked it out for me."
"Why?"
"Because he wanted me to get noticed. He thinks it's great for publicity, me being an erotic author and all."
"It worked," Satoshi replied. "You're the prettiest woman here."
"I would stand out like a sore thumb in anything I wore here. I think I may be the only African American female present."
"Do you have a problem with that?"
"No, I can fit in anywhere I go."
"But I still think you're the prettiest woman here," Satoshi insisted.
"I doubt that. Amaya is a stunning young woman."
Satoshi missed a stepped and then got back on track. "Oh, so you finally got to meet her."
Why did Ichiro and Satoshi think that she wouldn't find out about Amaya? "It was pretty hard not to since she walked up to me and introduced herself. She's very pretty, pale and petite."
"And she's quite the little bitch." He dipped her again.
Shaundra gasped. "I didn't expect you to say that."
Satoshi moved back into position. "But it's the truth," he whispered into her ear. "Don't let that sweet smile and manners fool you. Beneath that designer gown and groomed hair lies the heart of a cunning little bitch." His body stiffened.
"Let me guess, you do not like her." She didn't either, but it wasn't her place to say.
"No, but I would never tell Yori that. He sees her differently than I do.
She has always had him wrapped around her little finger."
Had she hit a nerve? "So you have to get along with her since she's about to marry your best friend."
"I did not expect for you to be okay with that."
Shaundra finally felt relaxed in his arms. "The two of them getting married has nothing to do with me. They were engaged long before I came here and will be after I leave."
"But I thought you liked Yori," he whispered in her ear like it was a secret.
"I do, but I am not foolish enough to believe that he would break his engagement just because he thinks he wants me. And I don't expect him to since I'll be leaving shortly."
"Would you still leave if things were differently? If he did broke up with her?"
"I don't know. I have a life in the United States."
"Poor Ichiro will be devastated when you leave. He is so different now that you're here."
"I'm worried about that too. I like to hear his voice, but I'm afraid he'll crawl back into his shell once I leave."
"And he knows you're leaving?"
"Yes, he says he understands."
"But you don't believe him?" Satoshi asked.
"No, I do not. I care for Ichiro. I don't want to hurt him."
"Then don't." The music ended and he walked her back to the table, bowed and turned her back over to Ichiro who had returned. Satoshi turned on his heels and left.
Shaundra frowned and sat down. What is wrong with these men? "He didn't try anything, did he?" Ichiro asked suspiciously.
Shaundra smiled at him. "No, we just talked. He's really not so bad."
Ichiro smiled back at her and nodded his head up and down. "Yes, he is. Don't let that innocent baby face fool you. Satoshi is a player."
She patted his hand. "I already know that. But at least he talks to me and doesn't treat me like an outcast."
"I don't know if I should be jealous or not. Even Takumijo thinks highly of you and usually he's only concerned with himself and his image in the mirror."
Shaundra laughed. "Don't worry. I think your friends are great, even Takumijo."
A waiter came with another tray of champagne and Ichiro commandeered one for both of them. He handed one to her. "How long do we have to stay here?" he asked.
"Probably until it's over since we have no other way of getting back to the hotel. Or did you rent another car and plot an escape?"
Ichiro shook his head. "Masaaki and Yori threatened to kick my ass if I did something like that again," he confessed.
She winked at him. "It must be tough being the youngest."
Ichiro smiled and then looked around to see if anyone had noticed.
"I'm just a couple of months younger that Satoshi, and yes, it is difficult.
Everything we