I offered my hand, and she looked curiously between Simon and me.
“Hi, Katie. Nice to meet you.”
“You too, Caroline. You the one with the cat?” she asked, a twinkle in her eye. I looked at Simon, and he shrugged.
“Guilty, although Clive would argue that, in fact, he is an actual person.”
“Oh, I know. My dog used to watch TV and bark until I put on something she liked. What a pain in the ass she was.” She smiled.
We al stood for a moment, and it was beginning to get a little awkward.
“Okay, kids, I’m off to yoga. Simon, have a safe trip, and I’l fil you in on the gossip from the new couples when you get back.”
“Sounds good. I’l be gone a while, but hopeful y they won’t get in too much trouble while I’m away.” He chuckled as they started up the stairs.
“I’l keep my eyes on them. Nice to meet you, Katie,” I said, headed down.
“You too, Caroline. ’Night!” she cal ed back to me.
As I walked down the stairs, more slowly than necessary, I heard her say, “Pink Nightie Girl’s pretty.”
“Shut it, Katie,” he fired back, and I swear he swatted her on the butt.
Her yelp a second later confirmed it.
I rol ed my eyes as I pushed the door open and headed out to the street. When I got to the gym, I switched my class from yoga to kickboxing.
“I’l have a vodka martini, straight up with three olives, please.” The bartender got to work as I looked around the crowded restaurant, taking a
break from the Fantastic Four. After two weeks of hearing about al these fabulous double dates, I’d agreed to go out with them and turn them into a
Fantastic Five. It was fun, and I was having a great time, but after being with two new couples al night I needed a break. People-watching at the bar
was a great way to get some time off. To my left was an interesting couple: silver-haired gentleman with a woman younger than I was who had newly
purchased tits. Good girl! You get yours. I mean, if I had to look at flabby, old-man buns I’d want bigger boobs too.
I never thought I’d enjoy being alone, but lately I was finding I did pretty wel without a man in my life. I was alone, but I wasn’t lonely. Orgasms
aside, I did occasional y miss the companionship of a boyfriend, but I liked going places solo. I could travel alone, so why not? Nevertheless, the
first time I took myself out to a movie I thought it was going to be weird—the likelihood of running into someone I knew while out and about in the
jungles of Costa Rica was slim to none, but running into someone at the movies in the jungles of San Francisco? Odds were greater—but it was
great! And a restaurant alone was also just fine. Turns out I’m a great date al by myself.
Stil , dinner tonight with my friends had been quite entertaining. The way these two new couples circled each other was fun to watch. Mimi and
Sophia had both snagged themselves the men they’d cultivated in their heads as the perfect match. Just then I spotted Sophia in the crowd, her
height and gorgeous red hair setting her apart even among hundreds. Hot restaurant, and even hotter bar, this place was packed with people and
pretention.
I could see her chatting with someone, and off to the side I found Mimi and Ryan. What was odd? Neil, not Ryan, seemed to be Sophia’s
conversation partner. Ryan appeared completely captivated by Mimi, her hands moving through the air and punctuating statements with her
toothpicked olive as he listened, fascinated. From where I stood, the distance afforded me perfect clarity. I couldn’t help but smile. They’d found the
boys they always thought they wanted, but now they each seemed fascinated by the other one…ah wel , the grass was always cuter, right?
Sophia glanced over and spotted me at the bar, and shortly thereafter, she excused herself and headed my way.
“Having fun?” I asked as she perched on the stool next to me.
“I’m having a great time,” she mused. She then told the bartender exactly how to make her cocktail.
“How’s Neil tonight?”
Her eyes lit up briefly, and then she seemed to catch herself.
“Neil? Good, I guess. Ryan looks great, doesn’t he?” she covered, gesturing over to where we’d left our group, and where Mimi and Ryan were
stil deep in conversation. Ryan did indeed look good in jeans and a shirt that exactly matched his icy blue eyes—the eyes fixed delightedly on Ms.
Mimi.
How could they not see it?
“Neil looks pretty good tonight too,” I tossed out, refocusing on the brawny sportscaster. Charcoal sweater, chinos—he was every inch the man
about town.
“Yep,” she said icily, licking a bit of salt from the rim on her glass.