I pulled back and she became annoyed quickly. The drink she normally ordered was already sitting beside mine waiting for her, a vodka soda.
“You finally agreed to meet me and now you are pulling away from me?” She said with confidence, determined to address the issue at hand.
“Let’s get a table and talk.”
“Why is that necessary? I say let’s get a drink and go back to my place.”
“That’s not going to happen,” I said, seeing the confusion in her eyes.
I stood up and took her hand, taking her to a circular bar height table sitting next to the window. There were several spread along the establishment. Blue’s was unusually quiet tonight, which I was thankful for. The last thing I needed to do was repeat myself when telling her it was over. Whatever we had was over. O-V-E-R.
“Is something going on? You are acting so out of character, Cash. You have been dodging me for weeks!”
I held up my finger to get the waitress’s attention for another drink then pointed at the glass.
With a nod from her in understanding, I began to talk.
“I’ve had some developments since we last met, hence why I haven't called you back.”
“And they are?”
“Life-changing things, actually.” I paused but continued. I wasn't someone who normally cared about a person’s emotions. But I felt bad for her. “Anyway, I don't know if you watch the news but our investment firm has been shut down by the federal government. In fact, I no longer have a job there, and my father is in jail.”
“That is horrible. Did you lose everything?” she asked, knowing how I cherished my possessions.
“We are still waiting everything out. I had to prove what is mine is mine, and luckily a lot of it was. Doesn't really matter anyway since I got rid of it all.” I paused and she looked at me completely confused.
“My father at this point is saying no one was involved but himself, which is surprising considering he really only cares about himself more than anyone else.”
She laughed as the waitress handed me my drink and asked if she needed anything else.
“So father like son,” she said with a wicked grin.
My gut reaction was to get mad… but she was right. The reality was she was the same way. Cutthroat and willing to do what she had to make it, not caring who it effected.
I took a sip of my drink and swallowed, letting it burn my throat.
“I… yes, you are right. But if you remember that was one of the things we had in common, you, being the same way.”
“And I make no apologies for it, Cash. Still I don't know why that has anything to do with what we… do…” She said the last bit of the sentence slow to drag it out.
“In the time that everything has happened, it has brought a lot of things to light… mainly how I want to spend my life, and make changes. I guess you could say I’ve seen the light.” I cleared my throat, “That being said, I can’t continue to see you.”
“Is that so?” She paused. “Well, Cash, you know we were just a fun time. I never had any intentions of this becoming a relationship, rather more a good time, which you have always been. The old Cash that is. This new one is a bore.”
“That’s my point… I don't want just a good time anymore with just anyone.”
“Is there a someone?” Her blue eyes narrowed and I could have sworn they turned black.
“There has been for a long time… long enough that I should have seen it far before this happened for me to realize it.”
“By all means, I wish you all the luck in the world. But let me say this before walking away… You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig. You can pretend to have changed but I don't see it happening.” She moved close to my face and I stayed as still as a statue. “People like you and me, selfish people, don't change. Your company went under, so what? We look out for number one, and that was one of the things that made us work.”
I shook my head in doubt. Not anymore.
“That’s where you’re wrong. I am changing, have actually in a lot of ways already. Losing my job, the company going under, is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
She stood up with confidence in her step, her head held high, like she was going to make sure I heard what she was going to say. In the past I would have been looking at her chest, or how good she looked under me, but this time… this time was different.
“Well, if you are ever looking for a good time, call me. My number will be the same, because unlike you, I love the chase, and I love to look after myself.”
“I won’t ever be calling you again.”
She winked. “We’ll see, won’t we?”
She made the statement reaching out to touch my face, then leaning in for a quick kiss before turning around and walking out.
I took a deep breath… glad it was over.
I should have done that a long time ago.
Whew, I felt a hell of a lot better releasing that disaster waiting to happen.
EMMA
I had been waiting outside of Blue’s for ten minutes, losing my patience. My friend and work colleague, Jessica, still hadn't showed up. I kept checking my phone for my emails and my texts, wondering what held her up.
She had begged me to go out with her, and told me about this place. I had rejected her and rain checked so many times that this time I felt like I was committed. I hadn't planned on turning into that woman who would start dissing her friends so she could stay home and relax, but I had.
I still had the dress on I had worn to work, a
