Chapter 1
For the second time that night Annie walked away from her table towards the bathroom. There was nothing wrong with her, but she was desperate to get away from Dale; the blind date from hell. As she walked into the bathroom she let out a sigh of relief when she realized it was empty. She pulled out her phone and dialed Lidia her best friend and the one who had brought this upon her. When the phone rang and went straight to voicemail she knew her friend was avoiding her call so she dialed her once again. Lidia picked up on the second ring.
“What?” Lidia asked, “shouldn’t you be on your date?”
“There is only so much I can listen to about football,” Annie said dreading the topic of the conversation she was having with Dale.
It’s not that he wasn’t handsome; far from it. He was as dashing as she would ever imagine a guy she would date could be. His bright brown eyes and thick blonde hair were his best features and his angular face with a beautiful chin dimple only served to enhance his beauty. The only problem was that he was as boring as a post.
“He won’t stop talking about football huh?” Lidia asked with a hint of laughter in her voice.
“Why did you even set me up with him if you knew he was so boring?” Annie asked, “I would rather date Liam from financing.”
Lidia laughed then causing Annie to let out a slight giggle.
“I’m serious.” Annie said “You’ve ruined my night. This is the last time I agree to go out on a blind date from work.”
“You could at least try to have fun,” Lidia said
“I wish you were here, so I could strangle you.” Annie seethed.
“Too bad,” Lidia replied, “I got to go. Unlike you, I have a boyfriend, so I don’t have to go on blind dates.”
Lidia hung up and left Annie staring at her phone with a shocked look on her face.
“Last time I take her advice on anything,” Annie said tucking the phone back into her pants pocket.
She walked out of the restroom and made a beeline to her table. She could see the smug look on Dale’s face and she knew he thought they were having sex. If he thought even for a moment that he would be scoring tonight he made a terrible mistake.
“You’ve been gone so long.” He said reaching out to clasp her hand as soon as she sat down.
“Yeah, I had to take a call.” She replied pulling her hand out of his reach.
She watched the look on his face as he leaned back in his seat and she knew what was coming.
“So,” he said licking lips and making her cringe, “we should go back to my place.”
She almost choked when the words left his mouth. She wanted to tell him exactly how little she wanted to spend any time in his home, but she restrained herself and tried to keep her composure.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She said, “I have too much work to do at home.”
The exasperated look on his face told her he was having a hard time believing she was rejecting his offer.
“Oh come on,” he said “live a little. I think we would have a great time together.”
“I know you would think that.” She replied, “but I wouldn’t be having as good a time as you.”
“You can’t know that if you never try.” He replied leaning forward and pinning her with a seductive stare she knew must have worked with other women before her.
“I think we’re done for the evening.” She replied standing and picking up her jacket.
“Are you sure?” he asked
“Yes, I’m sure” she replied
“Do you need a ride home?” he asked
“No,” she replied flashing him an uninterested smile, “I can get a taxi.”
He nodded and smiled.
“It’s your decision.” He said looking more disappointed as the time went by.
“I had a good night.” She said feebly trying to salvage some of his pride.
She knew that he was used to the women in the office falling at his feet, but she wasn’t one of them. This was a hard blow to his ego and she could tell by the look on his face that it was having a negative effect on him.
“Yeah, would be better if you agreed to come with me.” He said
“Again,” she replied, “I have much to do.”
“Got you.” He said, “do you want me to walk you out?” he asked
“Oh no.” she replied, “I have to run to the ladies’ room before I go.”
“Oh, I understand now.” He said flashing her a smile, “It’s that time of the month. It explains everything.”
She did her best to not smack him over the head, but she had to keep her composure in a room full of people.
“I am actually going to the bar to get a much-needed drink after this terrible date.” She said looking him dead in the eye, “I only said I was going to the ladies’ room to spare your feeling.”
She turned and walked out of the dining area towards the bar. She got the bartender’s attention as soon as she sat down and ordered a whiskey. It wasn’t a feminine drink, but she had been drinking it most of her adult life thanks to her father. He was her best friend and confidant and he had always started a heavy conversation with a shot of whiskey. Since then she always had a drink whenever she was having a hard day.
“Tough drink for such a beautiful girl.”
Annie looked over at the handsome man on the stool beside her and smiled.
“Beautiful girls sometimes need a tough drink.” She said
“Hey, I don’t judge.” He said.
She admired his jet-black hair which was a bit longer than most men in the corporate world wore their hair. She couldn’t help imagining what it would feel like to run her hands through it. He was handsome in a way that reminded her of the men she used to read about in her romance novels as a teenager. His angular face was perfectly chiseled, and his teeth shone as white as pearls.
“So, what’s wrong with you?” she asked
“What do you mean?” he asked looking at her with a perplexed expression.
“Alone at the bar with a face like that,” she said, “something must be wrong.”
He grinned, and she could see his eyes roaming her body. She encouraged his wandering eyes by flipping her hair back and giving him a perfect view of her cleavage. She had worn her extensions today in preparation for this date, but she now knew she should have just worn her short blonde bob and save herself the trouble. Her makeup had been plain because although she had suffered from terrible acne as a child, her skin had healed perfectly. The only exaggerated part of her look tonight was the eyeliner she had used to emphasize her green eyes.
“I could ask you the same question.” He said winking.
“I just sent my date home.” She said, “I don’t think he’s going to get a second date.”
The stranger laughed.
“His loss.” He said
Before she could respond, she heard her phone ringing and pulled it out. The caller ID told her it was Lidia. For a moment she thought of ignoring her call, but she decided to answer it and get it over with.
“Hey, where are you?” Lidia asked
“I’m still at the Liden,” Annie replied
“Oh, the date’s still going?” Lidia asked
“Nah, I’m getting a drink before I head home.” She replied
“Oh, can you come home now, I locked myself out.”
“Perfect” Annie said, “see you in a few.”
“Thanks!” Lidia shouted.
Annie looked at the stranger who sat across from her with a frown. There was so much potential here but she was not in the mood to start anything she couldn’t finish and she knew it would be bad luck if she tried to start something after the horrible date she just had.
“I better go.” She said slipping off her stool and smiling at the stranger.
“Gotta do what you gotta do.” He said
As she walked away from him she made sure to put extra effort into swishing her hips from side to side so he’d see just what she was working with.