Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
“Oh, it’s just what I wore to work today. Thank you though,” I say tightly.
He sits down and pours us both a glass of wine. He holds his glass up gesturing that he would like to propose a toast.
“To finally getting back together.”
I smile politely, and clink my glass to his before taking a big gulp of wine. The alcohol does make me feel better at least.
The waitress comes back around and chats with Brian for a few minutes as if he is an old friend. He stares at her cleavage the whole time, and she has got to notice this happening. He must tip very well for her to not cover up every time he is seated in her section.
He orders us an appetizer platter: an assortment of meats, cheeses, crackers, fruit, and a variety of jams and other dipping sauces. I will say, while the date itself is not ideal, the wine and the food are fantastic at least.
Unfortunately, conversation between us feels forced, but does my date realize? No. Brian is explaining grand ideas to me such as successful business strategies, building diverse stock portfolios, and even the overall meaning and purpose of life, like he’s some kind of wise guru.
“You see, we must help drive the economy forward. If we aren’t contributing to the monetary flow that keeps our society afloat, what kind of world will we leave behind for our kids, not to mention our grandkids?”
“What about the environment?” I counter, thinking this an obvious point. He shoots me a pitiful, patronizing glance.
“Megan, what good is a beautiful backdrop if the people can’t eat?” He pauses for dramatic effect, giving me time to appreciate his grand statement. He continues on with the so-called facts of life.
“You see, with money, and through business, the problems of the world can be fixed. It’s called inherent capitalism. But, we’ll go nowhere without financial backing.”
Inherent capitalism? Is that something he just made up? But my date continues to talk with his nose pointed straight up in the air, counseling me as if I am but a simple and delicate woman, blind and lost in this world. Of course, there’s no consideration for the fact that I work in the same industry as him.
What the hell. What a pompous ass. This guy is twenty-five, the same age as me, and he doesn’t know his asshole from his feet. And from the way he carries himself, it’s safe to infer that he’s been coddled his entire life. I also sense that underneath all the swagger, he’s actually quite insecure. Brian has to spew bullshit and carry himself like a tough guy to make himself feel better about the things he actually lacks: personality, the ability to relate to others, integrity, and likability, just to name a few.
I smile tightly through the conversation, counting the minutes until this date is over. To be honest, I’m really only half-listening to what he’s saying, just enough to coherently respond here and there. I’m trying to focus on the sound of the jazz music playing in the background, the prickly yet sweet taste of the white wine, and the beautiful visual of water trickling through the garden out back. Basically, I’m grasping at anything that is not Brian right now.
Suddenly, my date stops mid-sentence. His body seems to lock up. His eyes open wide, hooked on something or someone across the room. The color drains from his face, and his jaw goes slack.
What in the world just happened?
I try to follow his gaze, twisting in my seat to see what could have so utterly shocked him. But there’s no obvious answer. There’s a man sitting across the way, but that doesn’t explain Brian’s shock.
Come to think of it, the man is ridiculously handsome. He’s quite a bit older, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He’s not looking at us, but I can see the flash of his gaze as he signals to a waiter. The strange man is well-dressed, with bronzed, tanned features. He’s gorgeous in a way that makes my mouth water; he’s a man’s man with rough-hewn features, and yet an exceptionally mobile mouth.
Is this what has Brian afraid? A simple man, sitting across the room? I turn back to my date, and see him fumbling with his jacket. He doesn’t look good. In fact, he looks quite ill and almost green.
“I forgot I was supposed to fax some files to corporate today at work and it’s important that they have it in by tomorrow morning. I’m sorry but I’m going to have to run, Megan. I’ll get you back for the bill tomorrow,” Brian says breathlessly, his voice climbing an octave with each sentence. Then, he wipes a bead of sweat from his forehead and bolts from the restaurant. I stare after him.