Ryan
The first thing I wanted to do when I got up the next morning was go to the beach. I did my best thinking there, and I needed to think. Or more to the point, I needed to think less about certain things, like Alicia, and more about other things, like…anything else. But my mobile app company was doing well. I didn’t even need to be there much, anymore. Going into work would just remind me of how pointless I was, that everyone would be friendly because I was the boss, but in the end, all I did was make decisions while everyone else worked.
I grinned. I’d worked so well and built so much up, that the competitor my ex left me for? I’d bought his company out. Last I heard from Isabella, she was telling me what a mistake she’d made in leaving. I told her what a mistake I’d made in dating her in the first place.
What was I doing with Alicia? Was I making a mistake here, too?
I shook my head and pounded my feet against the path of packed sand. It didn’t matter what else I tried to think about. All thoughts led to Alicia.
I jogged to the beach and walked along the sand, avoiding the kids making their castles and the couples walking their dogs. After wandering for a couple of hours, it was lunch time. I hadn’t realized I was walking straight to Afternoon Delight until I was standing right in front of its patio. I felt a jab in my gut as Alicia’s beautiful face and sexy body flashed through my mind. I wondered if she was working. I was starving but I couldn’t take the chance of running into her until I figured out what I was going to do.
There was another restaurant across the street, an Italian place called Casanova’s. It wasn’t as good but would have to do. I strolled up the sidewalk. The exterior needed some improvements—the paint was peeling on the sides—but inside it was clean, well-lit, and busy. My server, a young brunette with really nice green eyes and great breasts, came over immediately, and I ordered a glass of water and a gin and tonic.
“Are you sure?” she asked. “The margaritas are on special. They’re my personal favorite; they go down so easily.” She looked at me and licked her lips.
I smiled—I always smile. “Thank you anyway but I’ll stick with my gin and tonic.”
Her smile faltered, as though she wasn’t used men not flirting back, which was probably true. She was a knockout, but the truth was I just wasn’t in the mood.
I looked at the menu, but everything looked like it would taste exactly the same. I began to wonder if I was even all that hungry, but the growling in my stomach told me I was. When the server brought my gin and tonic, I took a huge swig and a deep breath. I needed to get my head on straight. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. Alicia was a waitress in a fucking restaurant. A waitress I met so randomly. I’ve had one-night stands, dated women…hell, even had relationships, and no woman in my life had ever thrown me off my game like she had.
The server brought me a second gin and tonic without me asking, something that would normally have bothered me but for which today I was grateful.
“Thank you,” I said.
“You looked like you needed it.”
“What’s your name?”
“Beth. What’s yours?”
“I’m Ryan. It’s nice to meet you. Thanks for the drink. You’re right; I did need it.”
A red flush crept up Beth’s neck and cheeks. I looked away. Alicia had been a little flustered around me at the start, but it fit with her personality. It was charming, not annoying. And by the end of our night, she had lost all of that nervousness, and it was like we were on an actual date.
And there it was. I took another swallow of my gin and tonic and realized that the reason I couldn’t get Alicia out of my mind was because I actually liked her. She was different from the usual girls I date. She was different from my friend’s girlfriends. She was confident. She’d basically said to me, I don’t need your thousand bucks, but if you’re offering it, sure, I’ll help you out. No desperation, no neediness, but also no cockiness. She was all smooth confidence and style.
So what was I going to do about it? I took out my phone and brought up her number. I looked at her name and sighed. I put the phone back in my pocket, threw down some money for the bill and Beth’s tip, and left. I walked along the beach for another forty-five minutes, wishing I had brought my bike with me so I could climb some hills and truly clear my mind. But the gin and tonics were doing a fine job.
I just need to tell her, I thought. I had refused to tell her because Justin and Roger said it was a terrible idea. I’d put her off by promising to meet up with her at the end of the week and tell her everything. But of course, at the time I had no intention of spilling the details about Diamond Club. Now, I had to face reality: I liked Alicia. And if I liked her I needed to be honest with her. And I needed to do it tonight.
Before I could change my mind, I pulled out my phone and texted her.
Meet me tonight for a drink? Sandpoint Beach Boathouse. Full disclosure.
I clicked send, pocketed my phone, and jogged home.