Choosing Her Lover

*****

At the Club, waiting for Ryan, I find myself a barstool, entertaining myself by people-watching as I sip at a soft drink. I like to be alert for these evenings, and I limit my wine intake. No point blurring the senses….

Then I see them, the trio: Michael, James, and Charlotte. The two men flank Charlotte, who I must admit, looks amazing. She is wearing a full-length dress, halter-necked, low cut and slit to the hip. It flows and billows around her in a glitter of black and…. I don’t think she’s wearing anything under it. Her sea of red hair is up in an elaborate weave of coils and combs. Were she here by herself, she’d have the single men around her like bees to the honeypot, but with the powerfully built, athletic Michael to one side, and the aggressively protective James to the other, I don’t think she’ll be having any problems.

They’re with another group, chatting, laughing and sipping drinks, but show no sign of either breaking up their trio or expanding it by inviting any others into their group.

A figure appears at my elbow. “Hi, Debbie. All by yourself again?”

Oh, God, Steve…. Not again. Why can’t you ever take a freakin’ hint…?

“No, Steve. I’m not by myself. I’m waiting for someone.”

“C’mon, Debbie. You said that last time I saw you here, and there was no-one with you when you left. Why not spend some time with me?”

Because I’m not that desperate and you’re not that lucky….

Are you drunk….?

“Steve, please stop crowding me would you.”

“Hello, Kirstie. I just spotted you. I didn’t realise you were here tonight.” Michael has ambled over from the trio and is standing by me, flagging down the barman. He peers at my face. “Are you alright?”

Jeez…. He called me Kirstie. Will Steve notice?

I smile at him gratefully, rolling my eyes to the side. “I’m fine thanks, Michael. Steve here wanted to chat.”

Michael’s lids lower, ever so slightly. If I weren’t watching closely, I would miss it.

So, you don’t like him either…. What’s Steve done to upset you?

elbow. “Hello. We thought we might run into you here sometime. All alone?” Something in her body language says that she doesn’t care for Steve either. She seems, not exactly friendly towards me, but at

girl to another, I see the question in her

Do I need help?

I’m waiting for a friend. Are you

Thanks for asking. Would that be the

grin. “Yeah…. that’s

lemon. He mutters something incoherent and vanishes off to the other

back when

a favour? I am expecting someone, but he’s not arrived yet. Could you hang out with me until he gets

at me sharply. “Steve giving

be for long. My friend is on

smiles, all easy charm; one of life’s natural aristocrats. “No problem, Kirstie. It would hardly be the first time that Steve’s

I don’t know what it is.

seems about to speak, but then stops as Steve reappears, a large drink in his hand; correction:

got you a G&T, Debbie. That’s your poison, isn’t

someone. I

You can talk to me ‘til your friend turns up…. if he

me, but suddenly Michael is closer. “She said ‘No’, Steve. Take a hint. The Lady’s

now Charlotte is here too. “Leave her

flushes, eyeballing Michael. “What’s it to do with you? She’s just

sub. And while I may

had too much to drink, but he gulps down the one in his left hand, then starts on the one

our group;

God, now it’s

brassy blonde is making a beeline for Michael, pasting

“Oh, lord….” I mutter.

groans. “You don’t