HONEY: BOOK II Josie Who also Has A Last Name

Prologue Part III: Ariel

Robert woke up early the next morning to help Matt get some yard work done and set up some tables. His wife and daughters spent most of the morning and afternoon cooking sides and prepping vegetables for the grill food.

Robert was chatting with the husband of one of Matt's daughters when he looked up and saw her.

She came in talking to Matt's other daughter and she was laughing out loud. She was tall, or at least she was taller than Robert, she had long blonde hair that was gathered to one side and pulled over her left shoulder. It fell to just about where her belly button would be if he could see it. She wore a beige tank top and he wondered if she was wearing a bra. He couldn't see any straps so if she was it was strapless and it held her up spectacularly. Her figure was a rival of most of the models he knew and she had a beautiful smile.

Her name was Ariel and when she looked at him he wanted to look away so she wouldn't know he was staring at her but for some reason he couldn't.

He was busy playing bar tender when she walked over to him.

"I'll have a slow comfortable screw." She said with a sly smile.

He looked at her speechless; he dropped the plastic solo cup he was pouring orange juice in. She laughed.

"Hi, she said with a huge smile, I'm Ariel. You must be Matt's cousin Bobby." She said putting her hand out for him to take it.

He laughed and shook her hand.

"Would you like that against the wall?" He replied with a smile big enough to rival hers.

He finished making the drinks he was mixing and brought them over to the table where Matt and Valerie were sitting. He and Ariel sat down next to each other.

"So Matt tells me you are in marketing. What do you market?" she asked.

Most of our work has been with resorts in the Caribbean, and a few national campaigns for Howard's Department stores and Festival Cruises.

Ariel nodded and raised an eyebrow as if she was impressed with his abbreviated resume'. She smiled that gorgeous smile and turned to Valerie and began talking to her about some other guy named Tony whom she apparently was interested. It seemed he was a bartender but Robert stopped listening after a few minutes.

The four of them sat there chatting as more guests arrived finally Matt figured it was time to get to work hosting and cooking.

"Bobby you want to come give me a hand bringing the meats out?" He asked

"Sure" Robert replied, they got up and entered the lower part of the house where matt had a second kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and pulled out several packages wrapped in white butcher paper.

"I see you use a real butcher for your meats." Robert commented just making small talk.

"Yup, nothing but the best. So, what do you think about Ariel?" he asked him point blank.

"I like her. She is pretty and has a great sense of humor." He said

"Yeah, but what do you think about her?" Matt pressed him.

"I've only just met her. I can't give you an in depth appraisal from a ninety minute conversation." He laughed.

"That's not what I am talking about. Do you think you would want to start seeing her?" he asked

"Um, I live on the other side of the country. Long distance relationships are not easy." Robert said.

"Well she has a house in Scarborough, not far from our place. She is there for about six months out of the year." He retorted.