______________________________________________________
New Love Interests
Candice bit her lip as she stepped into The Red Saloon. It was only her second time there, but this time, she was alone. She wondered what Lisa Marie would say if she knew she'd come here without her.
The brunette saw him in an instant. His back was turned toward her, as he was fixing someone a drink. There was an easy smile on her face as she sidled up to the bar. She quickly located an empty stool somewhere off to the right and slid onto it, her hands folding on the counter as she watched him.
She wondered about this. What was she doing? The man was nothing at all what she was used to, and definitely not her type. They had nothing in common. Typically, she tended to date other lawyers, doctors, computer geeks and the like. This guy was a bartender. He couldn't get anymore one-hundred and eighty degrees different than her.
Suddenly, AJ turned, instantly catching her gaze as he slid the drink in front of a man. He smiled, obviously remembering her.
Candice kept her gaze on him, her smile never waning as she mouthed "hi" to him. She did actually feel a little out of place, but the man had been so nice to her. Besides, she wasn't a snob. She wasn't the type of person who wouldn't get to know someone from a completely different background from herself.
"Hey," AJ greeted her as he made his way over. "What a nice surprise to see you here tonight."
Candice let out a soft, girlish laugh. She was a little dismayed as she realized it sounded a lot like a giggle to her. She had never been the type of girl to get giddy over a man.
"I couldn't resist the atmosphere," she said. Inside, she felt mortified. What the hell...? Now I'm starting to sound like Lisa Marie!
It was strange. She thought AJ was nice... kind of cute, but not in an obvious way. He was relatively short as well, barely taller than her. Most of the guys she dated usually were at least around six feet tall. Not that she minded height too much... It was just that, at five-seven, when she wore her "power heels," she easily hit five-ten or -eleven. And why should she care about that? Lisa Marie was taller than her - she certainly didn't mind a man's height - at least not that kind of height. Damn it, stop thinking of stuff like that! she mentally chastised herself. She could actually feel her cheeks beginning to burn and was grateful for the dim lighting.
"The atmosphere is definitely better now that you're here," the dark-haired man said. He was still smiling at her, his blue eyes fixed to her face as he leaned in closer, his arms on the bar's countertop. "So, what can I get you?"
"What?" She gave him a dumbfounded look.
"A drink?"
"Oh!" she exclaimed, chasing the exclamation with a nervous laugh. She felt like the world's biggest idiot right at that moment. The way she was acting, one would think Brad Pitt was standing right in front of her! "Sure. Yeah... I think this time I'll have a sherry."
The young man winked at her.
"If the pretty lady wants a sherry," he quipped, "then that's what the pretty lady's gonna get."
The brunette felt her cheeks warming up yet again. It felt really good to be flattered by him. It wasn't that she wasn't accustomed to compliments. It just seemed that she was getting them from a truly nice guy. And this was after a long line of jerks.
He passed the drink to her in a jiffy. She smiled and thanked him before taking a sip. She felt a bit self-conscious as he watched her. However, AJ's attention was soon elsewhere as someone gestured for another drink.
Minutes later, he was back, his attention again focused on the brunette. Their eyes met, and then he spoke.
"So, Candice... Can I take you out tomorrow night?" He was off work then.
She smiled with her glass just beneath her mouth. She nodded.
"I'd like that."
*
Across town in the Upper East Side, Trish and Randy Orton were dining at a posh Thai restaurant.
"You look especially beautiful tonight."
She smiled sweetly but playfully swatted at his hand.
"You don't have to keep saying that, Randy," the blonde quipped. It must have been the tenth time he had since picking her up.
"But it's true," the man insisted. And it was... He could hardly keep his eyes off her. Normally somewhat conservative, tonight Trish was wearing a dress that showed a fairly generous amount of her cleavage. But he wasn't interested in her body so much as her mind and heart.
Trish nibbled daintily on a forkful of pad thai, savoring the taste of the delicious dish. She kept the eye contact going with her new beau as he talked about his work. Randy was a third-generation owner of a very highly successful sporting goods chain. He explained how he'd actually wanted to become an architect, but even before his father had fallen ill, his mother had absolutely insisted he take over the family business. He had relented. But the fact that there were several stores in six different states, all of them which made multi-millions each week, was nothing to sneeze at.
Although she was still a bit hungry and couldn't help eyeing the rest of her dinner, Trish stopped eating. A true lady always left some food over. She didn't apply that way of thinking when she went out with the girls, but on a date, she always did.
Randy, who'd finished his beef with basil dish awhile earlier, signaled for the check. As he paid with large amounts of cash - Trish's eyes actually went wide at the wad he took from his wallet - he smiled.
"How would you like a romantic horse carriage ride around the park?" he asked.
The little blonde bit her lip, a smile easily coming to her face.
"I'd love that! Oh, Randy, you're such a charmer."
He winked at her and stood, coming around to her side to pull her chair out for her. He was such a gentleman, everything Trish had ever wanted in a man. She felt giddy when goosebumps rose on her arms and at his touch. She was just completely falling for this man, and fast.
*
As for me, Edge and I had a blast - in contrast to our date the previous night. This time, he took me to a fairly casual dinner at an Italian restaurant. Afterward, we went to a movie.
When the film ended, we went for a leisurely stroll as Edge walked me back to my apartment. He was such an interesting man, and he told me about his childhood and growing up in Toronto.
The attraction between us was so intense. It had been since the moment we'd met, when I'd fallen and pretty much made what I personally would have considered a bad impression.
"Hey, hold on a sec," he said as we were just passing a corner deli. "Wait right here." He held up a finger in a 'wait' gesture and disappeared into the store. After less than five minutes, he came back out with a bouquet of pink roses and a smile.
"For you, Ames."
My jaw dropped with surprise. One of the things I really loved about him was that he was so impetuous and spontaneous. I gratefully took the flowers, smiling brightly at him.
"Thank you." I gave him a small kiss on the lips - pretty much a peck.
Moments later, we reached my place. We stood lingering at the foot of the stairs, in close proximity.
"I had the most wonderful time tonight," I breathed.
"So did I, babe." He placed his hand on my arm and was softly caressing it. I got goosebumps.
A small smile gracing my face, I pressed nearer to him until my lips grazed his. Our kiss was sweet and tender at first, then grew considerably more passionate. I was breathless, and my knees nearly buckled. I wanted him, and I wanted him badly and now.
"Want to come inside?" I asked in a near whisper when I pulled back.
Edge smiled, and I shivered at the desire I read in his eyes. He nodded, and our hands clasped as we rushed
up to the door.