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“Oh, him. Stay away Joss. He’s not going to be good for you,” sighed Toni, now focusing on her newly arrived martini. “You always go after the one with ‘I’m-going-to-hurt-you’ tattooed on their forehead. Then you can’t understand why you’re left in a puddle of your own pity at the end.”
“Fist of all – harsh! And second, I’m not going after him. I’m just curious. I haven’t seen him before and I’m wondering what his story is. He seems a little rude for someone who’s new the group.”
Toni rolled her eyes.
“You’re just miffed because he isn’t falling all over you, like the other guys do.”
“That’s not true. Andy has never fallen all over me,” she said defiantly, ignoring the gist of the comment.
“And he’s not rude,” said Toni, taking a dainty sip and winking at fellow a few seats behind Joss.
Joss turned and looked to see the victim who was now Toni’s target. Another Ken doll. Totally Toni’s type. And she had the nerve to talk about stereo types in male profiling. Toni continued, “He’s … he’s …” She was staring the new man down with a look that said, don’t try to escape, and was obviously having trouble finishing a thought.
“Tortured?” Joss said.
“Yes. That’s the word. And I knew you were into him,” Toni said, turning her attention back on Joss. “He’s damaged. You need to leave this one alone.”
“Why?”
“His wife died a few years ago. No kids, but apparently he was totally in love with her and hasn’t gotten over it. He’s only out tonight because Andy made him meet us here. Andy knows him from somewhere … I think from the pre-wifie days. He used to be a real wild one or something, according to Andy anyway. So Andy runs into him a few weeks back, they kick around their history, he tells Andy he’s not the same guy, Andy doesn’t believe him and makes him come out tonight. For old time sake.”
“How do you know all of this?” Joss asked.
“Andy told me, of course. He said he wanted to set Scott up with someone, so he asked my opinion on who should be added to tonight’s invite list,” Toni said, once again looking down the bar, this time batting her eyelashes like she hoped the breeze would reach her target.
“And you told him I'd be the perfect match … I told you that I wasn’t doing any more blind dates …” she said a little too sharply.
“No. I didn’t suggest you. I told you, I don’t think he’s a good match for you. I actually like you, remember. I told Andy that he should be set up with Lisa,” said Toni.
“Oh,” Joss said. Now his non-attention toward her, and his focus on Lisa, who was sitting next to him, made more sense. It also answered the question of why Lisa has been asked to join them tonight. She wasn’t a usual member of the club. She worked with Toni, but never quite fit in with the group.
“Why Lisa?”
“Because Lisa isn’t going to get involved. Lisa will probably sleep with him one time and not give it another thought, which sounds more like what he needs. Now, I have to go and see about my sleeping arrangements for the evening,” said Toni, picking up her martini and skirting around Joss to saunter down the bar toward her conquest, who’d apparently received the signals and welcomed her with a pat on the empty bar stool next to him.
Joss watched her go, then turned back to her glass. The mirror behind the bar gave her the view of herself that everyone else saw. She knew she was pretty, but she couldn’t see anything special. Blonde hair. But every other girl in the bar had a similar shade of bottle brewed brashness. A good shape, but nothing to turn heads. She worked out when she felt motivated, but more often she’d find herself with a spoon in the icecream carton or fingers in a chip bag. Thank goodness she’d been blessed with good genetics, or she might not fit in the I’m-okay category.
It was true that most of the guys she met seemed a little smitten with her. She wasn’t really exactly sure why, but she’d always chalked it up to her sparkling personality. She showed interest in them, listened to them rail on about sports and scores. And, truth be told, she was a little flirty. Always with a smile; a gentle hand on the forearm; a nuzzle; a hug that lasted a little longer than quick; a sweet kiss on the cheek. Moves she’d learned along the way, and she’s been using for so long they felt natural. And, for the most part, they worked. Guys warmed up to her quickly; were comfortably being next to her. She wasn’t a threat; she was more like a sister. Well, maybe more than a sister. They’d all hit on her at some point, including Andy. But she’d explained that their friendship was more important than one night, though she expected that Calin had wanted more than one night. They were all close; and that worked for her.
“Do you often come to a bar with your friends to hang out by yourself?” said a smooth voice next to her.
Scott.
Joss turned slightly to face him. This time he let her look into his eyes, for just a second, before he turned away to signal to the bartender for two drinks. She looked at the empty glasses in his hand. One beer, his. One a margarita, Lisa’s.
“Sometimes a girl needs a break,” Joss said, looking again at her own drink. Still full.
“Don’t you like it here?” he asked, this time with a small smile. If they’re been together a long time, this was the smile she was sure he’d use to signal to her from across a room that he loved her.
“Sure. It’s fun. Just a little too much sometimes. What brings you here tonight?” she asked, already knowing the answer.
“In search of adventure, I guess,” he answered back.
“And, are you finding it?”
“Not sure yet,” he said. The bartender had brought the drinks but Scott let the fresh glasses sit on the bar. “I’m not sure I’ll know which path to take.” But those eyes. They broke her spirit with their quietness. She was lost. While she debated her emotions, the chance to let him know she was his vanished. Lisa had joined them. “Hey. There you are,” Lisa said as if she’d misplaced him in the crowd and finally found him. Truth was that she could see him from their table. Competition brought the best out in Lisa. “Let’s dance!” she said, pulling him away from the bar and from Joss. “You’ll watch our drinks, won’t you Joss?” “Sure,” she murmured, looking at Scott only. His eyes didn’t leave hers for a forever moment, as he allowed himself to be drug away. “Sure,” she said softly again as she turned her back on scene. It was probably for the best. She didn’t need to be his “path.” She deserved better. “You look like you could use a dance too,” said another voice from behind her. Expecting Leo or Calin, she turned quickly. Instead, where a familiar face should be, there was a new man.
“I’m David,” he said, extending his hand. “Would you like to dance?” “Sure,” she said again, this time hesitantly. She took his hand and let him lead her to the dance floor. As if a cruel trick, Almost Lover began to play, as David curled Joss into his arms and began to sway slowly. Joss reached her arms up around his neck. Without ever having seen this man before ,this man she knew. David was probably an accountant or a middle manager for some large company in the city. He’d come out with the guys, but he would be just as happy at home watching a movie on the couch.
He was looking for that someone to settle down with. Sure, he’d drag his feet for a few years, but he was looking to be quickly smitten, then have a girl to hang his hat on for the next 7-to-ten. Beyond that, who know … it would depend on if it was really love. Regardless, this was the type of guy she deserved. Someone stable. Someone who would be devoted to her. She could make the love happen.
The music was haunting and slow. David took a step back, sending Joss out a beat, and spun her, then pulled her back quickly, clinging to her more closely than before. He’d be good for her. He’d be right. Looking past David’s shoulder, she saw Scott. Lisa was trying to whisper in his ear; her hips swaying too much, too deep, not quite to the beat of the song. He was paying attention to her, nodding once in awhile. But his eyes were on Joss.
The intensity of his stare made her feel weak. There was no hiding, even in the darkness of the dance floor. She had to escape. “I’m sorry David,” she said, taking a step back. “I can’t …” “Can’t?” he asked, confused. He wasn’t privy to the next 10-year plan she’d imagined for him. Joss took another step back. She couldn’t see Scott or Lisa any longer, other dancing couples had flowed around them, but it didn’t matter. She had to get out of there. Heading straight for the table where they’d once all sat, she grabbed her purse. Thankfully everyone was now otherwise engaged. No goodbyes. That was best. She’d go home, take a hot shower, and text them later to say she wasn’t feeling well and had gone home. It wasn’t unusual for one or more of them to split off from the group, though when they did, they usually weren’t alone. As soon as she’d cleared the club doors, she breathed deep. What was she thinking? She didn’t even know Scott. She’d only said a handful of words to him, yet his impact on her was unreal. She was acting like a teenager, totally smitten by a pair of piercing eyes. Stupid, stupid, stupid. She beeped the car security button and reached for the handle, but felt a presence behind her. Turning quickly, her guard instantly up -- in a dark parking lot, by herself, lost in thought. Talk about a target.
Scott stood there, quietly, his arms crossed, that same small smile playing on his lips. “You left without saying anything,” he said softly, looking down at the ground. Still jangled by the surprise of being followed, she didn’t know what to say. “I …” he started, but then trailed off. For a long moment there was silence. Then he took a step toward her.
“I want to get to know you,” he said again. “I’m just not sure how to do that.” He took another step toward her. “Scaring me in a parking lot probably isn’t the best way start,” she said, still a bit unnerved. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I know I should just get your number from Andy, but I didn’t you to leave without …” “Without what?” she said, looking up at him. He was on her now. Leaning in, pinning her back against the car, putting his hands on either side of her face. Looking right into her. No hiding, no retreat. Just those eyes.
Sadness and spirit. “Without this,” he said and he kissed her softly.
-- End of Chapter One -- (C) 2011, An HL Wyse SIP.
He let the statement hang for a moment. Joss felt heat moving up her neck, but she wasn’t sure if she was flattered or pissed. On one hand she was ecstatic he’d finally noticed her and was spending at least a minute talking to her directly.
However, the flip side of the conversation made it sound like he was entitled. Like all he had to do was pick a girl and she was his for the night.