______________________________________________________
Explanations of a Free-Spirited Woman
Lisa Marie took a deep breath as she approached the entrance. She was just outside of The Living End, which, at only one-ten in the afternoon, wasn't even open for business yet. However, she had called its owner that morning, because she knew they really had to talk.
Biting her lip in nervousness, the brunette peered into the small window in the door. She didn't spot a soul as far as she could see inside. She raised her right hand and knocked, using her knuckles.
In what seemed like a flash to her, the door was opened. Ken Anderson's gaze was intense as it was on her, so much that Lisa Marie actually felt a bit ill at ease.
"Hello, beautiful."
"Hello, Ken," she replied, and somehow, she managed a smile for his benefit. She was there to take him out to lunch, because certainly, it would be easier that way. "Ready to go?"
"Absolutely," he said, stepping out of the establishment to join her. He locked the door, making sure each of the gadgets were secure before turning away from the place. "You know, I have to admit, I was quite pleasantly surprised you called this morning."
"You were?"
"Oh, yeah," Anderson said, smiling at her. "I figured after what happened... you know, after I ruined your party..." He trailed off, hating to bring up that disastrous night. He'd pretty much single-handedly spoiled the woman's party in picking a fight with the caterer. But he couldn't help it. The man had been all over the beautiful woman beside him!
"Again, I'm so terribly sorry about that."
Lisa Marie forced a smile again. She hated doing that. It made her feel so phony, fake, and she wasn't that kind of person.
"It's okay, Ken," she said. "I told you that night, all is forgiven." She really meant it, too.
They reached the restaurant they'd agreed on for lunch. It was a ritzy little Italian place called Bella Classica. They were instantly seated at a small, intimate table toward the back. Very quickly, a waiter came by to see if they wanted anything from the bar.
"I'd like a scotch on the rocks," Lisa Marie said, knowing she was weak. This wasn't going to be easy. So, she felt as though she needed a little liquid courage.
Ken studied her with a hint of amusement. He'd only ordered a beer himself. He found himself a little surprised that she'd ordered such a strong drink when it was only afternoon.
After the waiter returned with their beverages, Anderson reached across the small table. Lisa Marie's eyes followed the movement of his hand as he slowly grasped hers, his thumb caressing the back of it. She felt her heart lurch, and she reached for her scotch, downing a few hearty sips of it.
"Ken, like I said over the phone, we need to talk," she began. "But I don't want you to get the wrong idea." Following that second sentence, she removed her hand from his, smiling nervously as she met his eyes.
The man's face fell as he stared at her. He had a sinking feeling he knew where this was heading.
"Oh, no... I really screwed up at the party, didn't I? Damn it. Stupid, stupid, stupid!" he muttered, actually slapping himself in the forehead with the heel of his hand.
The brunette was somewhat embarrassed by the outburst. Quickly, she glanced around, then focused on him again.
"Stop that," she said, reaching over and taking hold of his hand, but only to stop him.
"I'm sorry," he murmured. "See, I always do the wrong thing." He shook his head. "Okay, so you were saying...?"
"Can I take your orders?" The waiter was standing over them, interrupting. He had pad and pen in hand, ready to jot down their orders.
"Yes," Lisa Marie replied, acting as though nothing were wrong. "I'll have the linguine with clam sauce." She glanced pointedly over at Ken.
"I'll have the veal scallopini," he said. He actually hadn't even looked at the menu, as he'd focused only on the goddess seated across from him. And he really wanted the waiter to go away so they could just get on with this.
"Okay, where was I?" Lisa asked rhetorically the moment the waiter disappeared. "Yes - us... Ken, I apologize if I ever gave you the wrong idea."
"What do you mean?"
The brunette eyed him, genuinely sorry for how she was about to hurt him. She'd let men down in the past, but most of them hadn't seemed that affected. She sensed that Ken Anderson was different.
"Look," she went on, "I like you... I really do, but that night was just about two people right there, in the moment."
"I found it magical," Anderson put in, and he smiled. "I thought it was the beginning of something amazing."
Lisa Marie felt a twinge of regret. This guy truly was nice, a good person with a warm heart. It was men like him that she had a tough time dealing with - which was why she tried to weed them out.
"I'm sorry," she said. "But the truth of the matter is that I don't do relationships. I'm simply a 'love 'em till the morning, then move on' type of woman."
Ken simply stared into her eyes with silence for a beat. A flicker of hurt crossed his face.
"You can't tell me that night meant nothing to you."
Although Lisa Marie genuinely felt badly, she wouldn't let herself lie to him.
"It was just sex, Ken. And it was great." She raised her glass of scotch and took a long swallow.
Anderson was momentarily speechless. After recovering his voice, he asked, "So... What do we do now?"
"We have our lovely lunch and enjoy it."