Aquavit by Karen Stensgaard

Author:Karen Stensgaard
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: new york city, cruise ship, dating men, strong women, adventure travel, sailing ship, bucket list, businesswoman, cat lover, copenhagen denmark
Publisher: Karen Stensgaard

Chapter 23 ~ Service Without the Smile

Greg’s driver, Rakesh, maneuvered Greg’s car through the traffic and the jumbled roadways like an expert. We drove over the busy Triborough Bridge across the East River leaving Manhattan behind to cut through Queens County. JFK airport was only twenty miles away but took over an hour with all the traffic.

After the wine and perfect meal, I’d agreed to accompany him to the airport. The car inched along in the brutal afternoon traffic. Being tipsy from too much wine was the only rationale excuse I could find for my stupidity. And it was annoying since I had to make this same long drive for my flight tomorrow. Greg must have sensed my irritation. He squeezed my hand and thanked me for coming along.

Frank Sinatra’s greatest hits were playing on the car’s stereo and the bittersweet lyrics from the song Somewhere Beyond the Sea. I’d heard the song many times but never realized Sinatra was singing about being unhappy at sea, separated from his lover, vowing to return and never go to sea again.

“You see, even Sinatra doesn’t think your cruise is a good idea.”

I wasn’t regretting my voyage, but this ride to JFK with so many things to do.

Greg put his hand on my leg and kissed me. “If you don’t enjoy the cruise, fly back from whatever port. I’ll arrange it. We could spend the holidays at my weekend house.”

“Another house?”

“I spend my weekends in Sands Point. I was only in town last weekend for the Turner exhibit and decided to host the dinner party.”

“Where’s Sands Point?” I’d never heard of this place.

“On the North Shore.”

“On Long Island?”

The North Shore of Long Island was the infamous Gold Coast where the top of the pyramid lived. Not the one percent but a tiny sliver of one percent - hard to imagine, much less calculate. Compared to the Gold Coast, the Hamptons were filled with nouveau-riche beach bums. Gauche Hamptonites like Charlie amused by how outclassed he’d become. I’d been there before to visit a friend with a modest, but pricey cottage-style home.

“Yes, that fictionalized area where Gatsby lived. But I can assure you, the parties are not that glamorous.” He put his arm around me and pulled me closer. “So many things I’d like to show you, Kat. Places we must go when you return. I know it won’t be easy for us, but I’m genuinely fond of you.”

He leaned forward and said something to Rakesh and closed the tinted privacy window that separated the front seat from the back.

Frankie was belting out his song Come Fly with Me while Greg whispered, “I wish you were flying with me to Paris.” He kissed my neck. “I suppose you don’t have your passport with you?”

I shook my head. “No, I have to go on my trip.”

I squirmed when I realized this wasn’t going to be an ordinary trip to the airport. Not that I objected to trying again, but it was the strange surroundings. I tried to remember when I last had sex in an automobile.

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