SECOND TIME AROUND
BY: COVER GIRL

Chapter One

    “Four…”

    “What the hell….” Duke missed his stroke, “Flint—good to see you, what brings you here?” looking to see if anyone saw them together as Flint slapped him on the back.

    “Just practicing my swing, you?”

    “Same, a friend recommended this place.”

    “I was headed back to the clubhouse to get some lunch. How ‘bout it?”

    “Sure,” grabbing his gear.

    “Ok, is there anything you can tell me since I last saw you?” Flint took a swig of beer.

    “Nope…reaching for a napkin with his left hand.

    “What---“ Flint stopped his arm. “When did that happen?”

    “What this?” Duke grinned looking from Flint to the pool area outside. “Hey, have to go save the wife---“

    Flint watched as Duke walked up to a blonde. Her back was turned to him but he still saw enough. He watched Duke interrupted a conversation with a few women, placing his arm about the woman’s waist nuzzling her ear. <DAMN- --she’s got a body. > He saw Duke’s hand resting on her waist near the knot of the red sarong she was wearing. She turned to her chair dropping the sarong from her waist. Her body was lean and muscular with a golden tan as she stretched out on her stomach. Watching as Duke rubbed lotion on her back, he felt a wave of jealousy for his friend. <At least Duke found a girl. >

    “Flint, where are you going so fast?” Duke slapped him on the back.

    “I figured you were busy,” casting an eye to Duke’s wife.

    “Nah, just have to save her from that woman with the kid. Can’t have her getting any ideas,” he frowned.

    “She looks great.”

    “Thanks, I’ll tell her,” waving the bartender over. “Two more.”

    “How long the two of you been together?” Flint nodded towards the pool.

    “Not long,” Duke shrugged.

    “You don’t seem to mind she’s alone.”

    “Why should I, she’s a big girl. She can handle herself. What happened with you?” Duke turned back to the bar.

    “You heard about Allie dumping me. I really fucked things up with her,” his lopsided grin waning.

    “I heard,” Duke frowned. “Dash, you’re the biggest idiot I’ve ever laid eyes on. You had the girl of your dreams---hell you had a girl most men would kill for and you---“

    “I know!” he growled. “Do you have any idea how many times a day it hits me? I can’t turn around without something or SOMEONE *glaring at Duke * reminding me. I tried to move on---I can’t. There’s no one like her…. and I let my damn jealousy get the better of me.” His head hung low. “Happy Conrad,” his eyes narrowed.

    “Then fix it, Dash. Fix it before it’s too late,” throwing money down for the beers. “I’ve got to go. Why don’t you stop by and see me before I leave?” Jotting down his room number and pressing it into his hand.

    “What about your wife?”

    “What? Oh---don’t worry about her. I’d think she’d be happy to see you again,” he called back over his shoulder as he walked away.

    “Hey, come on in. I’m still getting dressed,” Duke opened the door. “Did you eat? There’s a huge spread over there,” pointing to the table.

    Looking around, “I hope I didn’t wake you. Where’s your wife?” Seeing a silk robe hanging over a chair.

    “She’s out on the tennis court,” Duke scowled as Flint looked about the room. “Let me finish getting ready, and we’ll head over to the driving range. I’ve got some work to finish this afternoon.” He headed to the bedroom.

    Flint made himself comfortable as he waited.

    “When’s the last time you saw Allie?” Duke called out.

    “The night she threw my ring back at me, and called me a jealous idiot…no wait it was a jealous bloody idiot,” setting his jaw and clenching his fists. “WHY?”

    “Just asking…”

    “Conrad, I really don’t need you rubbing this into my face every time I turn around,” he growled.

    “I’m not. Are you planning on talking to her anytime soon?”

    “I don’t know where she is! Here mother hangs up on me every time I call, and she resigned a week after she dumped me. I didn’t have a chance to….”

    “Apologize…. beg for her to forgive you…. grovel at her feet?”

    “CONRAD!”

    "I have to go to a dinner party in two weeks. She's going to be there. Do you want to come along?" He came into the room tucking his polo shirt in his pants.

    "She's probably moved on..."

    "So, what's you're point? Are you going to sit on your ass feeling sorry for yourself or are you going to do something about it?” Duke got right in his face.

    “You know something. What is it?” Flint huffed.

    “Just if you don’t move now…you’ll lose her forever.”

    Flint’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean forever?”

    “She’s engaged---he’s not right for her. It’s a mistake,” Duke slammed his fist on the table.

    “She’s made her choice,” Flint stood up to leave.

    “Yeah, I can picture her now married to Mr. Right. She’ll go off on her honeymoon, come back to a big house, settle down, have 3 may be 4 kids. But, what do you care? I mean you threw it away…. when did she ever give you a reason to doubt her?” Duke laid into him. “WHEN?” Flint paused. “The next time you see my partner—take a good look at her,” then tell me. He watched as rage and sorrow played across Flint’s eyes before it was replaced by revelation.

    “Partner? She’s not your wife?” Flint’s eyes scanned the room once more going to the sofa then to Duke. He saw a pillow on the side and a blanket.

    “It’s an assignment. We wrap up tonight. I’m telling you as a friend if you want her back this is your last chance. Most of the team was invited to the wedding---two weeks from this Saturday. I guess her mom made sure your invitation got lost in the mail.” Raising an eyebrow, “It’s by invitation only---here take this, and let me know.” Stepping away from the door.

    “What if…” Flint’s eyes shifted.

    “What if you don’t stop this? What if she goes through with it?”

    “I can’t think about that---I’ve got to see her.”

    “Don’t, not yet, she needs to stay focused. She’s busy on the courts getting Intel out of our lead suspect’s wife.” Duke grabbed his shoulder. “Meet me at the hotel, I’ll get you into see her. Her mom won’t let you near her—not this late in the game.” Duke shoved him out the door and headed for the window to watch the tennis court.

    Flint walked to balcony near by as she was leaving. <I’ll be seeing you soon…Allie. >

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Continued in Chapter Two!
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