Page 3 of Lessons in Love
There’s a point in the evening, early on, like now, just after seven when I like to fuck. I’m not sure if it’s the excitement of what’s to come for the night, hopefully me, or the thought of opportunity presenting itself. But almost every shift, my little buddy becomes my hard as a rock friend and is easily tempted the first chance he gets. I’ve learned to curb the craving. I may like sex, a lot, but I’m not easy. “Something to drink?”
“Sex on the Beach.” Pure sugar. No subtlety. Like the woman in front of me.
I’ve had sex with two women—together and separately—in the same night. I’m not ashamed of my sexual history or my sexdrive. I’m happy to please and be pleasured. Like I said, it’s part of what makes us human and connects us on a deeper level. But if I was to compare, I’m in the mood for spicier notes with more depth. Tonight I’d rather have one strong drink than a slew of cheap ones. I may have gotten Constance’s drink order right but I called it all wrong when it came to her. I must remedy this, and not with candy-coated fruit punch drinks.
I place the drink in front of her, and then slide down to the other end of the bar. I stop in front of Constance, someone I consider a top shelf among call drinks. “Ready for another?”
The glass is emptied and pushed toward me. “I need to close out.”
“What?” No. “Leaving so soon?”
“My date cancelled, so I’m going to call it a night and go home.”
“Stay. Drinks on me.” Literally, if I’m lucky.
She smiles and if I’m not mistaken, she’s about to take me up on my offer. Looking at what I suspect is the time on her phone, she acquiesces. “Okay, maybe one more.”
I’m getting a clean glass before the words leave her mouth, and ask, “Boyfriend?”
“Who?”
“The chump who stood you up. Is he your boyfriend?”
“I don’t think I’ve heard the word chump used in person or ever.”
“Eh, I was being polite. Asshole is what I was really thinking.”
While I shake the fresh cocktail, she laughs a little, then with melancholy tainting our good time, she says, “No, he’s not my boyfriend. I wish. This is the second time we’ve tried to get together and he’s cancelled.”
“Asshole.”
“Lawyer.”
“Same thing.” She laughs louder this time, and I like the sound of it. Wanting to see her smile more, I say, “Don’t wish on falling stars. Wish on rising suns. There’s more hope to be found there.”
“That’s beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful. He’s a fool for standing you up.”
I fill the martini glass, then because I find her so damn attractive sitting there with her heart invested in something it shouldn’t, I suggest, “I have this premium gin you should try.”
Tapping the glass, she eyes it. “If it’s not in here, why are you holding back the good stuff?”
I spend more time than I probably should with her when I know there are others waiting on drinks. “Next one. I promise.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.” She takes the glass and sips. “Mmmm. You are a very talented bartender.”
“Bartending’s not my only talent.”
Resting her chin on her hand, her eyebrows rise. “Oh really?”
Constance is quite the conundrum. A Gimlet Girl never blushes like she just did. Then for her to turn around and speak words in seductive purrs. She’s a mystery I want to unravel.
Unfortunately my name is being called back to tend to Sex on the Beach. Since I never told her my name and she’s using it like she’s got stock in it, I’m guessing my reputation brought her in tonight. I’m not sure what’s keeping her here though after making it clear it’s a no-go. I tell Constance, “I’ll be back.” I tap the bar top and walk back down to the other end. “You ready to close your tab?”
She looks offended. “No. I was hoping for another.”
“Sure thing.”
