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?

language says that she doesn’t care for Steve either. She

although her question sounds innocent enough, one girl to another, I see the

Do I need help?

for a friend. Are you

that be the ‘friend’ that James met

“Yeah…. that’s

He mutters something incoherent and

when he

Could you hang out with me until he gets here?” I glance at Charlotte.

me sharply. “Steve

won’t be for long. My

problem, Kirstie. It would hardly be the first time that Steve’s pushed

I don’t know what it is. “Has Steve

seems about to speak, but then stops as Steve reappears, a large drink in

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

someone.

to me ‘til your friend turns up…. if

but suddenly Michael is closer. “She said

now Charlotte is here too.

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

And while I may not

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

woman moves in on our

God, now it’s

brassy blonde is making a beeline for Michael, pasting on an

“Oh, lord….” I mutter.

to me. He groans. “You don’t care