As much as I wanted to see him, I wanted him to want to see me too. You’re wondering why I acted so coldly? I even surprised myself. The need to see him freaked me out. The moment I saw him at my door, a sense of relief washed over me and I got scared. So I ran. I know I was being an ass, but the reality was I was older and I wasn’t ready for any of this.
I paid the cabby and headed towards the door of the bar, which jutted out almost beckoning you to enter. It mimicked the Flatiron Building on 5th Avenue. There wasn’t a large sign or an indicator that the bar was there, just a non-descript door. Once you opened it, it led you to a world of incredible drinks and memorable nights.
I opened the door while watching a few huddled smokers standing outside, enjoying their addiction. I made my way in through the dimly lit bar and found Tara and Genna sitting with their drinks and talking with the bartender.
“Hey girl!” Tara stood up and kissed me. Genna, being too lazy to stand, gave me a side hug.
“Sit and tell us what’s going on?” Tara slapped the bar stool next to her.
“Well, I got to visit the New York SWAT officers,” I said nonchalantly, waiting for their reaction.
“Shut up!” Genna pushed Tara out of her way to see me more clearly.
“And?” She waited.
“Well, they vary in age, but all of them are buff and hot.” I smiled.
“Damn! Next time you go, you better call me, bitch!” she threatened.
“So what can I get you?” the bartender asked. He was dressed like he’d come out of the forties, with a black tie and a vest. He even had the black arm garters.
“Same as her.” I pointed at Tara’s drink, which was a champagne cocktail. He smiled and started on my drink.
“You?” I asked both of them.
“I'm promoting a new club that’s opening in a few months. You better be there.” Genna pointed at me.
“New club and free booze, nothing will stop me.” I winked.
The bartender handed me my drink.
“I got a lead part in a kid’s animated movie,” Tara said happily.
“So this calls for a toast.” I raised my glass and we cheered to all our little successes.
We spent the night taking jabs at each other and laughing at how things had turned out with all of us. Tara was the only one who kept up with the happenings of those from our high school. Genna and I hardly cared. High school for us was not the best time, but we placated her since it seemed important to her. While Tara was telling us who were the latest to get married and have kids, Genna’s phone kept beeping.
“Damn girl, could you leave the booty call for after we’re done?” I accosted her.
“It’s hard,” she whined.
“Who is it?” I asked.
“One of the guys we met at the club last time.” She laughed looking at her phone.
“What guys?” I asked, hoping it wasn’t what I thought.
“The ones who were with your young little friend,” Genna said. Damn it, it was what I thought.
“Why is he texting you?” Genna gave me the ‘what’s your problem’ look.
“He’s texting for my ass, says he likes it.” She stuck out her tongue. “You know you would be getting these kinds of texts too, if you just give in and took little Jason for yourself.” She encouraged. Her phone beeped before I could say anything. “Oh, he’s here!” she squealed.
That’s the moment the bar door opened, her lover boy had walked in and was accompanied by none other than Jason himself. He stood tall with his black, faded jeans and dark grey t-shirt, which he had half tucked in. The moment our eyes met, I felt flush. My body began to sing and my skin tingled, begging for him to touch me. A crooked grin came across his face as he walked over to me.
“Is this stool taken?’ he asked me.
“Yes it is,” I fired back.
He leaned in and was parallel to my face. “Don’t be mad.” His crooked grin now inched higher. He moved around and sat next to me. “Remember we’re friends,” he added.
I chuckled. “Yeah right, friends.”
He peered at me. “What?”
I put my drink down.
“Where were you the last seven days, friend?” I glared at him. Why was I mad at him? He waited to respond, almost gauging what to say.
“Working. That’s all I do.”
I felt like a heel. Why was I so angry and why would I care what he was doing for the last seven days? Okay, I liked him, a little, maybe more than a little. That didn’t mean I needed to know all his comings and goings.
“Well ladies, I'm off. I need to wake up early tomorrow for work, plus being the fifth wheel isn’t my forte.” Tara stood up and gulped her drink down. “I’ll text you that I got home okay,” she added as she left us.