I open the heavy glass doors. The first thing I notice is how chaotic the ground level is. Looking around the room, I see bright florescent bags lining the walls. To the left the display is different, hangers hold clutches with clothes pins. This is why people come, not only is it the most cutting edge fashion, but the presentation is always unique and inspired.
I make my way to the 8th floor and step out into the minimalistic space. The floors, the walls, and the fixtures are all white. It has an industrial feel as the clothes hang from metal rods throughout the room. I let my eyes wander, and I find Jules standing in front of Lucite shelves that house jeans. She’s rummaging, on a mission to find her size. She has no idea I’m approaching.
“Hey there, killer,” I say from behind. She is so startled that she drops the jeans she is holding on the floor.
She gives me an evil glare as she bends down to pick up the lost merchandise.
“Do you mind? I’m trying to shop.” She shoots me a nasty look.
“When are you ever not? Seriously, I’m thinking of staging an intervention.”
“Ha ha ha, aren’t you super funny today?”
“Cranky much?”
“Actually I’m really hungry. And surprise, surprise they don’t have my size,” she says as she puts down the items.
“I’m not surprised, you’re freaking five foot eleven, and weigh what, two pounds?”
“You are so funny.” She scrunches her nose and looks me up and down. “What about you prairie girl, you look like you’re five.”
“I happen to think I look…” I throw my hands in the air, “You know what? I do look like I’m five.” I laugh.
“Are you done shopping, Jules? I’m starving.”
“Sure, why the hell not.” She winks at me.
We head up to the 9th floor and into Fred’s.
The waitress walks to our table. She is adorable, blond hair and blue eyes. She looks like she belongs on a farm…In my prairie dress.
She opens her mouth and with a southern drawl asks what we are having. We both decide on a Bellini and Fred’s Salade Niçoise. She smiles, or more like beams, at us and practically skips away.
We sit there in silence for a minute, and when I can no longer fight the urge I blurt out, “Okay, Jules,” I think about my words, “here’s the deal. I met someone.”
“What? What do you mean you met someone?” She looks at me curiously as I speak.
“Well, it’s kind of hard to explain.” My face flushes, abashed at my prior outburst.
“Umm, start.”
“Ok, so he’s a writer, I met him online.”
“What the fuck do you mean you met him online? Oh my God, are you one of the girls who trolls the Internet picking up men? Yuck, Av…how do you even know what he looks like? Yuck.” She sticks her tongue out as she gags.
“Oh for crying out loud, I met him.”
“Oh my fucking God. You met him?” The sound of her disbelief reverberates through the space between us.
“Jules, not like that. He was at the fundraiser. We just bumped into each other.”
“Ava,” her voice raises an octave, “that was a week ago. Why am I just hearing about this now?”
“First of all…it was three days ago, not a week…plus.”
“Plus?” she counters in question.
“Well, I don’t know, I kind of thought you wouldn’t understand. You don’t really read, so I didn’t think you would understand my attraction to him.”
“To be honest I don’t. I don’t get it at all.”
“He’s kind of a celebrity to me. It started up as just talking online. Then we met at the fundraiser and he asked me to meet up to discuss his new book. We ended up going out for drinks, he almost kissed me, and then, well, that’s it.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold up, kiddo. Almost kissed you?” Jules is now looking at me with intrigue, and maybe a little awe.
“Oh my God, it was the hottest thing that has ever not happened to me.”
“Wow.” Her mouth hangs agape.
“I know.”
“So, now what?” She holds her hands up shaking them with enthusiasm.
“I don’t know. We’re meeting for dinner tonight.”
“And then. Then what’s your plan?”
“I haven’t thought that far.” I shrug my shoulders.
“Well, don’t you think you should have a game plan? Are you planning to leave Alexandre?”
“No, I don’t know,” I sigh, “I just haven’t been happy for a long time. I feel so alone. I know I have you, but it’s not the same. He makes me feel special. He’s so attentive. He listens. Jules, he’s wonderful.”