Horizons by Mickie B. Ashling Page A

category all by himself.
    “Now who’s not paying attention?” Clark teased.
    “Sorry. I was just thinking of something else.”
    “What were you thinking of?”
    “Nothing important. Please continue.”
    “Conway convinces Chang to be less evasive and give Mallinson some straight answers, so Chang then tells him that in two months they may be able to leave. Mallinson is pissed, but no one else seems to mind. The others have fallen in love with Shangri-La.”
    “So far, so good,” Jody said, smiling at Clark’s version of the story. “Next?”
    “Conway overhears talk. He discovers that their landing was no accident. He also meets this young Chinese girl named Lo-Tsen, who plays some sort of musical instrument, and he’s fascinated by her. I guess that means he’s got the hots for her, right?”
    “I guess you could call it that, although I’m sure James Hilton wouldn’t use those words,” Jody smiled softly. “What else?”
    “Everyone seems cool with the place. Chang tells Conway that the head honcho, llama, dude, wants to meet with him, which is a big deal. How’s that?”
    “Very good, Clark. I’m surprised that you’re having a problem on your own. You obviously understand every word you read and your analysis, although modernized, is pretty accurate. Why are you having such issues with this class?”
    “It’s different when I’m reading with you. I don’t fall asleep, and you sort of nudge me when I start to zone out. My teacher couldn’t care less.”
    “I care,” Jody said. More than I should….
    “I know you do, and I’m grateful.”
    “I’m more than happy to continue with this, if you are getting some benefit from it.”
    “I am,” Clark answered, looking like he’d just won a winning Lotto ticket.
    Lil wandered outside, waving a long spoon and flitting around like a mosquito. “Are you gentlemen hungry yet?”
    “Starving,” Clark answered.
    “I could eat,” Jody said. “I’d love a refill on this, please?” He passed the empty margarita glass to Lil with a grateful smile. His dimple appeared like magic, and Clark couldn’t stop staring. When he looked away finally and turned toward Lil, he realized Jody’s best friend had been watching him the whole time.
    “Like the view?” Lil asked with a smirk that Clark could only describe as wicked. I am so busted.
    “Yeah. Could I have another beer?”
    “Sure thing, sweet lips. One Coronita coming up.”
    “God, is he always like that?” Clark queried Jody as soon as Lil left.
    “Like I said earlier, he loves to shock straight guys. Believe it or not, he’s a brilliant architect and the best friend a guy could ever have. I trust him with my life.”
    “Who woulda thunk?”
    “I know. Looks are really deceiving, especially in his case. So, how was your weekend?” he asked, changing the subject.
    “It was all right. I went home for my oldest brother’s thirtieth birthday party.”
    “Was it fun?”
    “The usual.”
    “Did your girlfriend go with you?”
    “What girlfriend?”
    “I just assumed you had one,” Jody said, raising an eyebrow.
    “No, too much trouble.”
    “How so?”
    “I just don’t have one. Let’s drop it, okay?”
    “Okay,” Jody said, backing off. By then Lil was back from the kitchen with the drinks and a tray overflowing with chips, salsa, and guacamole.
    He placed the tray on the table, and then returned to the house for more food. He brought out steaks, and vegetables on skewers, for grilling on the Weber. There was also a mixed green salad and a bowl of tiny red potatoes tossed with parsley and olive oil.
    “Everything looks really good,” Clark said, scooping up some salsa with a corn chip.
    “I am a fabulous cook, and I plan on making some lucky man very happy one day.”
    “Well, I’m happy right now,” Clark replied. “Thank you for feeding me. I didn’t expect this at all.”
    “Welcome, sweetie! I love a man with good manners. Don’t you, Jodes?”
    “Lil!”