Acts of Desperation(8)

“I should be good from here so long as I keep my eyes on the road. Thanks though.” I shrugged my shoulder and gave him a smirk before sashaying away. I felt the burn of his stare on my walk back to Liz.

“Your drink,” I said, handing over her martini.

“Thanks.” She smiled, and we clinked our glasses together. “Who was the hottie that had his eyes glued to your ass on your way back over here?” she asked, taking a sip.

“Just someone I bumped into...literally.” I took a sip and felt the burn of the alcohol as it slid down my throat and warmed my belly.

She gave me a mischievous grin. “He’s got eyes for you.”

“Yeah, but he just stood there staring at me.”

“Well obviously you took his breath away, dawling.” She gave me wink.

Maybe that was it—I hoped so. I sat down next to her as the DJ faded in. He amped up the crowd with a few choice words, and people piled on to the dance floor. Laughter and chatter filled the room then “Blurred Lines” started to play and it caused an uproar.

Liz shot out of her seat. “You heard the man…e’rybody get up!” She grabbed my hand and pulled me onto the dance floor.

We claimed our spots and shook our asses, shouting the lyrics at each other while laughing hysterically. More of our favorites played throughout the night—Justin, Britney, and old random hits from the eighties— and we were having such a phenomenal time that we barely left the dance floor. Occasionally, when I glanced back at the bar, I’d see the guy I’d bumped into looking at me. I wanted him to join us, and when I had my back turned and felt a set of hands on my hips, I thought he had. But when I glanced over my shoulder, it was a random guy. He and his friend had come up to me and Liz.

The two jock-types were nice enough, and our little foursome drank and hung out throughout the rest of the night. I hoped to stir up a little jealousy in my mystery man poised at the bar. He sat with a watchful eye but never moved. When a couple of his friends joined him, he flashed me a million-dollar smile and raised his brow then turned his attention toward them.

The night eventually drew to a close, and when our escorts tried to talk us into an after party at their place, we wished them a good night and headed out to catch a cab. Walking through the bar, I looked around one last time, hoping to give my mystery man one final opportunity to introduce himself, but he was nowhere to be found. So, Liz and I hopped in our cab and went home. I was lulled to sleep with a smile on my face, feeling the buzz of the alcohol and the vibrations of the music stilling humming through my body.

****

When I woke up Monday morning, I was in a great mood and had a new outlook on life. I slipped into my gray, pinstriped, pencil skirt and a cream silk blouse then put my hair up into a sleek pony tail. I sprayed my uncooperative wispy hairs into place before heading downstairs, black sling-backs in hand, towards the sweet aroma of coffee. Liz was sitting at the kitchen table looking at her phone.

“So what’s everyone having for breakfast this morning?” I asked, lightly tossing my shoes in front of the door.

“Ha! Funny,” she said, stirring her coffee with one hand and scrolling through her newsfeed with the other. “Just reading the regular comments about nothing. You ready to get back to the grind?” she asked.

“I am. Thanks for this weekend—all of it. It was just what I needed.”

“Don’t mention it. You were there for me through my last break-up. It’s the least I could do.” She smiled.

“Hey, I was going to stop by the grocery store on my way home from work. If you think of anything you want just send me a text. I refuse to mooch off of you any more than I already have,” I said.

“Oh shut up, you know I don’t roll like that. What’s mine is yours,” she said then looked past me at the clock on the microwave. “You better get going or you’ll be late.”

“I just need to fill up my to-go cup,” I said. “What do you have going on today?”

“I’m meeting a bride at The BonBonerie at one. We’re going to try some cake samples and hopefully get the cake ordered. Then, I’ll need to make some phone calls to set some other things up. Busy busy.” The BonBonerie is a local Cincinnati bakery that creates cakes and pastries that could rival those of the famous Cake Boss. They are one of the most highly sought after bakeries in the city not only because of the scrumptious flavor profiles they offer but also for their classic and elegant designs. Their cakes are tops on the lists of many brides.

“Eating cake all afternoon, how will you survive?” I asked with a laugh.

“It’s torture, but somehow I’ll manage.” She grinned. “I’ll have to run my ass off on the treadmill later so it’s not without consequences.”

“Yeah, you gain weight? Whatever.” I rolled my eyes.

“Seriously, you better get going.” She looked at the clock again.

“Shoot. You’re right. My commute has changed, hasn’t it? I’ll see you later.” I took my long black pea coat off the line of hooks and tied the belt around my waist. I slipped on my shoes, grabbed my purse and coffee, and waved as I ran out the door.

I parked my car in the company’s private lot then rushed across the street and into the building to get out of the cold. I stepped up to the elevator and listened to the clanking of everyone’s heels against the marble floor, all hustling to get to their respective locations. The smell of cappuccino and cinnamon buns filled the air from the coffee shop in the lobby, and I breathed in deep, calorie-free drags of the heavenly scents. When the elevator arrived, I took it up to five.