SIX
I THOUGHT ABOUT DRIVING to the address Owen had sent me, but quickly thought better of it. If I was going to survive this night, then I was going to need to drink. And, if I was drinking I sure as hell wasn't driving. I called for an Uber, and when our driver arrived Morgan and I made our way out to the front entrance of the hotel.
We both climbed into the backseat of a black sedan, and I gave the driver the address. Owen didn't tell me where we were meeting, but I didn't want to ruin the surprise by googling it. I was all about living in the moment now, or at least I was trying too. The driver informed us that it was only about a twenty minute drive, and Morgan asked him if he'd pick us up as well.
Thanks to her promise of a hefty tip, and double his usual rate he agreed, and gave her his personal cell number. It seemed that money really did buy everything. Morgan scrolled through her social media, and took selfies along the way, while I wrung my hands together. To say that I was nervous would be an understatement.
I hadn't been on an actual date since high school. Derek, and I went out to eat on occasion, but I couldn't tell you the last time I dressed up for a man. Our relationship grew into a kind of easy comfort. The more that I thought about it, the more I realized that we'd been living our lives as friends more than anything else.
We lived together, ate meals together, and shared small talk but it began to feel more like he was my room mate than my lover. Maybe that's why I did what I did that night. I wouldn't normally strip off all of my clothes and try to seduce him. I would have laid down beside him, and waited for him to initiate things. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy having sex with him, I just didn't seek it out either.
I pulled my phone from my small clutch checking the time. It was nearly seven, and I hoped that we'd make it on time. I turned to look out the window then, watching the buildings blur by in an attempt to distract myself from the negative thoughts swirling in my mind.
“What's wrong?” Morgan asked.
“Nothing.” I said, giving her a small smile.
“Ronnie.” She pressed.
“I'm nervous.” I admitted.
“You must really like this guy.” She said, nudging my arm with her elbow.
“He's... different.”
“Different how?”
I laughed. “For starters he is nothing like Derek. He has the darkest hair, and the deepest green eyes I have ever seen. And his arms-”
“Is he ripped?” She asked excitedly.
“No.” I laughed. “I mean, he has a nice build... but his arms are completely covered in tattoos.”
Morgan clapped her hands excitedly. “Oooh a bad boy!”
“He's not though.” I said, rolling my eyes. “He was funny, and actually kind of sweet.”
She shook her head. “Of course he was, he's trying to get in your pants.”
“It wasn't like that.” I said, suddenly feeling defensive.
“I'm not judging.” She said, putting her hands up. “I just have a little more experience when it comes to this sort of thing. Men are pigs, Ronnie. Even Derek couldn't keep it in his pants, and he was damn near perfect.”
I had to fight back the tears. I could feel the moisture behind my eyes, and it took every bit of strength that I had to keep them at bay. Her words hurt. The last thing that I needed right now was to be reminded of Derek's betrayal. I was beating myself up enough already, and all I was hoping for from this trip was a little support.
“We're here.” The driver said, when he pulled into a fairly crowded parking lot.
“Jimmy's on the James?” Morgan asked, crinkling her nose.
“You mean you didn't come across it while you were playing trip planner?” I asked, with a little more snark than I intended.
“I only looked for places that we'd enjoy Ronnie, and from the looks of this place... it won't be very enjoyable.”
I sighed, before reaching for my door handle, and climbing out of the car. I carefully adjusted my dress, making sure that my backside was covered. I fixed my cleavage, and gave my hair a little fluff before securing the small chain on my clutch so that I could wear it as a cross body. Morgan got out a few seconds later, and after handing our driver her card, she slipped him some cash as well.
As the car pulled away, the two of us started towards the entrance. That's when I spotted him. Owen was wearing a pair of black skinny jeans much like the ones he'd worn earlier. His shirt was an olive green button down with a collar, and the top two buttons were left undone revealing bits, and pieces of more tattoos. He smiled when he spotted us, and I waved shyly.
“Is that him?” Morgan whispered as we got closer to where he stood.
“Yes.” I whispered back.
“Can we trade?” She joked.
“Unicorn.” Owen said reaching for my hand, and bringing it to his lips before turning towards Morgan. “Unicorn's friend.”
I giggled. “Owen, this is Morgan. Morgan... Owen.”
Morgan bit her bottom lip, before extending her hand towards his. “The pleasure is all mine.” She practically purred.
I felt sick. My stomach was literally twisting into knots. I watched as her hand lingered a bit too long, and she giggled when he pulled away. I was on auto pilot as the two of them spoke. I may have been standing beside him, but she was batting her lashes, and twirling her hair. Her attention was solely on Owen, and I found myself scanning the parking lot for her sexy stranger.
“Ronnie?” Owen asked, bringing my attention back to where
