I'm going to have fun tonight.
I'm going to have fun tonight.
I'm going to have fun tonight.
I smoothed my dress and stood, grabbing my purse and following Kelsey out the door.
When we arrived at the restaurant, I soon figured out Kelsey's true motive for dolling me up. Her friends had already arrived and had gathered around one of the large round tables. Three girls about our age and two guys, one with brown dreadlocks and another with shoulder length surfer locks, blond and cocky. All three of the women looked like models, long flowing sun kissed hair and tan skin.
I felt very out of place amongst her actor friends.
"Everyone I'd like you to meet my roommate, Blair." Kelsey ushered me to the side of the booth with the cute surfer looking guy.
"Hi everyone," I said.
"Are you the lawyer?" the girl with the nose ring asked, extending her hand to greet me. "I'm Angie."
"Yes," I answered. "I guess I’m."
"Righteous," said the guy next to me.
"Blair, this is Blake,” Kelsey said giving me a side glance.
I rolled my eyes in response.
He wasn’t my type.
No one was.
I ended up spending most of the night having polite conversation while simultaneously trying to angle my body so Blake would not succeed at putting his arm around me. Kelsey's friends were pleasant and friendly but I still felt out of place being the only one there not involved in the arts scene.
"So what brought you to California?" Angie asked over appetizers.
"Well I'm originally from Iowa,” I explained. "But I went to school in Florida both college and then finished with law school. I fell in love with the sunshine and the balmy beaches. Then when this job opportunity came along, I thought why not? I already knew I'd love the weather, and I didn't want to go back to Iowa."
"Who could blame you,” she said, giggling.
"Exactly," I said. "I didn't really fit in back home, if you know what I mean."
"I think we all escaped our oppressive small town background,” the girl with the tattoo on her shoulder said with a smile.
We had a pleasant night despite Blake's over attentive nature. I couldn’t help but feel slightly out of place. The food was good though, better than good.
After we had glutted ourselves on seafood and rice wine, Kelsey and I excused ourselves to the restroom to freshen up.
"So what do you think of Blake?" she asked.
"Oh Kelsey," I said. "You’re wasting your time trying to set me up. I should have known the way you trussed me up like a painted lady. Besides, he's a bit pushy."
"But that surfer body," she said fluffing her hair. "I mean, come on."
"Yeah. He is cute, but..,” I said as I turned to face her. "I appreciate what you’re doing. I really do, but I have to focus. This job is a huge opportunity for me. I don't really want to put energy into dating right now."
"Have you thought about what to do if you don't get the full time position?" Kelsey asked.
"Honestly no,” I said. "I’m going into this with a winning mindset."
"I just don't want you to lose sight of what's really important,” she said blotting her lips on a small piece of tissue paper.
"Finding my dream job isn't what's really important?" I said. "Then what is?"
She laughed. "You know what I mean. You have to remember to have a good time. That's what life is about."
"I'll vicariously enjoy your good time,” I said. "Hey, I have an idea. Since Blake and I aren't really hitting it off, why don't you take my seat next to him when we go back."
"Do you really mean it?" she said.
"Hell yes."
"Fair enough," she shrugged. "Does that mean I can go out with him?"
"Be my guest," I said with a smile.
He was cute after all, I just couldn’t get my head around the thought of dating.
Not right now.
When we returned to the table Kelsey and I swapped seats and she plunked down next to Blake with a bold grin on her face.
"What do you guys say we get out of here and take a walk down by the beach,” she said as if nothing was amiss.
"Um... sure,” he stammered, taken aback by the sudden shift.
He looked at Kelsey with a hint of a question in his eyes but then shrugged and put his arm around her. I smiled and lifted my glass slightly in Kelsey's direction.
"That sounds like fun," Angie echoed while the others nodded in agreement.
"Actually, Kelsey," I said. "I'll have to call it an early night, but you guys go ahead and have fun."
"You sure?" she asked leaning into the crook of Blake's arm.
"Yeah," I said with a grin. "I still have a lot of prep work to do. It was nice to meet you all."