The ever observant Ian notices the slight blush creeping into my cheeks, belying my true feelings on the matter. I'm extremely embarrassed by my thighs and I'd give anything if they were slim.
Ian is thoughtful for a moment, then he says, "John Lee Hooker - Big Legs, Tight Skirt. Queen's Fat Bottomed Girls. Freddy King - Big Legged Woman." He holds my gaze and I'm mesmerized. "Seems to me, many a man enjoys himself a thick legged woman."
Oh, if only Ian was one of those men. Is that what he's saying? Well, he didn't actually say it, so probably not.
I hold his gaze a moment longer, and then I can't take it anymore. It is too intense. I look down and say, "Hmmm, too bad they're all dead."
He throws his head back and lets out a full, throaty laugh. It is the sexiest thing I've ever seen. He looks back at me, and I can't help but smile. I decide to take it further, to move us away from a discussion of my thighs. "I know it's weird, but I've never been into the whole necrophilia thing."
He continues to chuckle and I love that I've been able to make him laugh. "It's nice to see you laugh. You're generally pretty serious at work," I comment.
He nods his head, looking down at the table. "Yeah, Pappy always says I'm a 60 year old man trapped in the body of a 30 year old."
"Have you always been that way?" I ask.
"Nah," he shakes his head. "I used to be more relaxed, more fun loving. Hell, in my teens you might have called me wild. I liked to party and drive motorcycles and all that."
"What happened?"
He's quiet for a moment, his face sobers, and I kick myself. I had him happy and laughing and now I've poked at what is clearly an open wound. Dumb ass!
I'm casting about for how to change the subject when he says slowly, quietly, "Life. Life happened."
I'm dying to know what the hell that means, but I know not to ask. Something happened to Ian, something that changed him. I hope that one day I'll find out what it was, but it isn't going to be today.
"Back to necrophilia," I say. And with that, Ian's smile returns. I don't say anything at first and he says, "Oh no, please go on. I'm dying to see where this goes."
"Wait, no, don't die," I counter. "Then I won't find you hot anymore!" As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I'm embarrassed. I blush furiously this time, and he gives me that knowing smirk. It is rather infuriating, that smirk. Yes, you are gorgeous. Yes, of course you know it. But really, do you have to rub a girl's nose in it?
"Graveyards!" I shout, startling both of us. "What I mean is, isn't there some cemetery here where you can watch movies after dark, among the tombstones?" Oh please, let the earth swallow me whole, now. Right now. That'd be great.
"Yeah, I think there is," he says. "It's in Hollywood, I think."
"I take it you haven't been then?" He shakes his head, and I continue, "It sounds cool. There are so many cool things to do in L.A. I want to see the Getty museums, and I still haven't walked on Venice Beach yet. I want to go to Malibu and see a movie star, and try -" I'm cut off as Manny arrives with our food.
I ordered huevos rancheros and don't waste a minute before digging into them. As ravenous as I am, I'd think cardboard tasted good, but these eggs are sensational! Ian ordered a Caprese omelet and he offers to give me the first bite. Although it was only one bite, being fed by Ian quickly rises to the top of my list of all-time favorite activities.
We make small talk while eating, but because I'm starving, I concentrate on the food. Before I know it, our meal is done and Ian is saying, "I really should be getting back. I have a ton of shit to do before we open."
"Right, of course. Thanks so much for coming with me though, this was fun," I say.
"Yeah, it was," he says, giving me a smile. He gets up and finds Manny, handing over a credit card. I jump up, fumbling with my wallet and finally extracting my own card. "Oh, here's mine," I say, shoving it at him. He puts up his hand and pushes it back towards me.
"It's on me," Ian says. "Welcome to L.A."
"Are you sure?" I am totally fine with a guy paying for a date, but this was not a date, and besides, he's my boss.
"I'm sure."
He signs the slip Manny has returned with, and we take our leave. We walk back slowly. I am extremely aware of Ian's body beside mine and I have to fight to not touch him.
"Enjoy your couple of days off. I'll have you work the same training schedule as last week. Then, if you are still around after your probationary period, we can talk about Halloween coverage." There's a teasing tone to Ian's voice, but I suddenly get really nervous.
"I know it's only been a week, but how do you think it's going? Am I doing alright? I'm really enjoying learning about your pub and I'd very much like to continue – "
Ian cuts me off. "Enough. You're doing great. Really. Once you get up to speed, it'll be a real help to have you around the place. Especially on Halloween. We host an annual charity event and it gets insane."
"What sort of charity event?" I ask.
"It's a fundraiser for New Directions for Veterans. People bring in things for auction and all the proceeds go to the charity. Whoever bids the most over the course of the night gets a year's worth of whatever's on tap. We've been doing it about five years and it's pretty popular."
"That sounds fantastic. I'll be there with bells on, boss!" I say. At the word ‘boss' he gives me a hard look, like he's analyzing me. Boy, I wish I could figure out this man's looks. I have no idea what's going on in that pretty head of his.
With a smile and a wave, I stride down the block, trying my damdest to stand tall and proud, sway my hips suggestively, and look as though I don't have a care in the world.
******
It's Tuesday at noon and today's the day I'm going to work with Pappy on our first blog. I'm excited about it. He's the absolute sweetest thing and I'm hoping I might get some info on Ian in the process.
"Hey there, Pappy," I say, as I enter the office. "You ready for me?"
"Darlin' sweet lass, I've been waitin' for ye with bated breath," he replies.
I laugh, and say, "Sure, okay. Let's sit out front, what do you say? I think being in the pub will help get us in the mood."
"Ye're the boss," Pappy says and gets up.
"No, actually, I'm pretty sure you are," I say, following him out after grabbing the laptop off Ian's desk.
"No, I am," Ian says as we pass him in the kitchen. Geez, that man takes himself so seriously sometimes.
"Yes, master, we haven't forgotten," I retort. "You are the supreme ruler of all."
Ian smirks, "Yeah, I like that." Then gives me a full smile.
I roll my eyes as my nipples harden in response (of course) and exit the kitchen. Pappy has taken up a seat in the same booth in which he interviewed me. I join him and open the laptop.
"Alright Pappy," I begin. "I'm going to ask you a bunch of questions and just answer them however you want. I'll take lots of notes and then once we are done, I'll see if any themes or observations emerge. Then I'll do a draft, discuss it with you, and when we are both happy with it, I'll post it to the website."
"Sounds simple enough," he says.
"It is, I promise. Let's start with why you decided to move to the U.S."
Pappy pauses for a moment and then starts, "Well, that's a bit o' a sad tale, truth be told. We moved here to find Martha's smile. Martha, that's my wife - may she rest in peace - well, she had lost her smile when we lost our first born."
I suck in a breath, "I'm so sorry, Pappy."
He waves my comment away, "'Twas a long, long time ago. O' course, losin' a child stays with ye, always, but I'm used to the pain o' it. I wouldn't feel right if I didn't feel it, ye know?"
I nod, although I really don't know. I've only ever lost a cat, and while that hurt plenty, I know it can't compare to the loss of a child.
"'Twas a terrible accident, made worse because me Martha, well, she saw it all," Pappy continues. My hands leave the keyboard and cover my mouth which is hanging open. "Our lass was playin' in the park with them neighborhood kids, like they did every day. Every day since she could walk. She was only five when it happened. They were playin' ball and it got away from ‘em. Nellie ran after the ball, right into the street. And at just that same time, well, a truck came by." He didn't continue, but then there was no need. It was obvious what happened.