Aaron held the door for James. James'
arms were busy gesticulating, giving visual interpretation to the
story he was telling. Aaron pointed towards the bar to keep him
moving. The blond pony-tailed waitress was there, behind the bar.
James and Aaron dropped onto stools, James buckling in laughter as
the punchline of his story finally crested.
“Sounds like you boys are having
a good night. Can I get ya'll something?”
Ponytail eyed Aaron
sympathetically. He hoped she wouldn't bring up the fiasco of
Thursday night. She'd made his escape from the restaurant quick and
painless, distracting the couple nearby while he slipped out.
“Martini please...dry, no
olive.”
“Sounds good.” James chirped.
“Make that two. I'll have his olive.”
“Can do.” She pitched the
order to the bartender and moved on to clear tables.
The bartender tossed two coasters
onto the bar, loaded the glasses and slid them to the pair. James was instantly absorbed in
another story. The guys at the squash club had grown tired of them
but Aaron was still a willing participant in his escapades. Aaron
rolled the martini in his glass, sipping indolently at the cocktail.
Across the bar a woman moved in,
her face partially obscured by a pendant light. She wore a low
blouse and the crease of her bosom moved him to immediate attention.
He tried to listen as James story unfolded. The woman spoke in low
sultry tones to the bartender – a lime margarita, frozen, two
straws. Aaron shifted on his stool trying surreptitiously to get a
better look. The voice was familiar.
He could make out the brown hair,
tossed into perfect curls that rested on her shoulders. Large hoop
earrings, gold bracelets and a medallion that nestled just below her
throat. Her face was blurred by shadow. She spoke again to the
bartender but this time he couldn't make out what she'd said. The
bartender chuckled and motioned to the jukebox in the corner.
“Here's a loonie, Monday. Play
one for Frankie too, would ya?” The bartender tossed her a coin.
Her red nails reached up and
caught the coin, mid-air, and she slid from her pedestal, swaggering
across the polished floor. Her face was turned but Aaron followed from the corner of his eye. Tight jeans, high heels and long
exotic legs. He wasn't subtle enough. James turned to follow
Aaron's eyes and caught the brown-haired beauty in his gaze.
“Holy cow, man. Is she here
with someone?”
“She appears to be alone, so
far. Seems to know Frankie over there well enough.” Aaron nodded
toward the bartender, also watching her every movement with alacrity.
“Hey. Frankie, is it?” James motioned him over.
The bartender moved in toward
them. “Another martini?”
“No, not just yet. What can you
tell me about the bombshell over there? She single?”
Frankie grinned. “Don't know.
She comes here often. Guys approach her all the time. Sometimes she
lets them buy her a drink, have a dance or two but she usually leaves
alone. One sorry ass got his shin kicked pretty good when he tried
to make an advance on her. With heels like that I'd suggest you keep
a safe distance.”
Frankie winked and moved on. The
jukebox kicked into gear, Evanescence – Bring Me To Life -
drumming through speakers mounted on either side of the bar. The
gentlemen glanced away on her return. James smiled at Aaron, threw
back the last of his drink and dismounted his stool. He pulled a
hand through slicked hair, yanked up his trousers, and made a jabbing
motion toward himself. Aaron grinned and nodded - “you look
great.”
Aaron stopped James with a tug at
his sleeve. “Be careful.” He jabbed James in the arm.
“Pfffft.” James tipped a
cocky hand toward Aaron – “no problem.”
Aaron watched from across the bar
as James moved in for the kill. James lifted a finger to the
bartender and ordered two more drinks – one for him and one for
her. Her body language demonstrated little interest as James slipped
in beside her and introduced himself. She was nursing the last of
her margarita and nodding. Evanescence crooned their final words -
“Bring me to life, I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside,
bring me to life.”
Her head was turned now, immersed
in James conversation. He seemed to have a way with women – lucky
stiff! The bar had gotten busier making eavesdropping difficult.
The jukebox kicked in again – Mat Kearney – She Got The Honey.
Aaron stood to use the restroom
and James waved him over. He rounded the bar and approached from the
rear of the couple.
“Aaron, this is Monday. She's
in insurance too.”
“Nice to meet you.” Aaron
stuck out a hand and was struck by her appearance. “Hey.”
Monday recognized him too, he
could sense it.
“Good to meet you two. Excuse
me, gentleman. I need to use the ladies room.”
She dropped onto her heels but
instead of heading left to the restroom she turned right and exited
the restaurant.
To be continued...
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