Daring Desires

Flirtin’ with the Devil

Austin

“I honestly just don’t understand why it’s so difficult for you,” Jessica huffed.

“Huh?” I said without thinking. Jessica had been droning on for about ten minutes now I’d guessed since we were on the freeway. My mind was miles away.

“Have you been listening to anything I’ve been saying?” She asked angrily.

“I’m sorry,” I said trying to sound sincere, “my mind is just stuck at work.” It wasn’t a lie per se, it was stuck at work just not on work.

Jessica rolled her eyes and pushed herself against me. “I just don’t understand how you can be so distracted all the time. Am I not entertaining enough for you?”

“Listen, Jessica,” I began, “I’ve wanted to talk to you. . .”

“We are here!” she squealed. Leaping from the car like a kid on Christmas, I remained still and somewhat dumbfounded.

“. . . And, I don’t listen,” I mumbled softly slowly emerging from the car. Looking upon Jessica’s path, I quickly understood her rush. I pushed away the urge to roll my eyes walking closer to the pair.

“Ahh, you invited my mother to dinner I see,” I said unamused. I truly believe Jessica would have bent to kiss her ass had we not been in public.

“Don’t speak as if I’m not standing right here, son,” my mother said sharply.

“I’m sorry mother, it’s not everyday we get the pleasure of such unique dinner company” I said with a sly grin.

“Delightful,” she huffed and pushed passed me into the restaurant.

“What are you playing at?” I whispered to Jessica as she began to trail behind my mother inside.

“It’s important that she like her future daughter-in-law,” she whispered quickly, “don’t you think?”

“What are you talking about?” I almost screamed, “We’ve been out one time Jessica, this is insa. . .”

“Shhhh! She’s going to hear you!” Jessica warned.

“Going to hear me?” I questioned trying to check my tone. “I couldn’t care less. We’ve been out one time. The only reason I came here tonight was to politely tell you I’m not interested” I finished quietly, but firmly. Jessica laughed.

“You know,” she said with a smile, “playing hard to get is only cute for so long. You know your mother is pushing for our families to be together. It’s going to happen we might as well have fun with it” she laughed as she sidestepped towards the table and winked.

This was ridiculous. I was exhausted and reeling. I was not putting up with this woman one more night much less the rest of my life regardless of what the ice queen wanted. I walked to the table to meet them both. I stepped to my mother’s side and gently pulled her chair for her to be seated. Next, I did the same for the seat to her right for Jessica to be seated.

Then, both ladies focused in the direction of the third seat, waiting for me to round the table and sit. Instead, I leaned down between the two, “You two deserve each other. I’ll no longer be a part of whatever craziness this is. Have a good evening.” Looking directly at Jessica I said softly, “Don’t ever call me again.” Then, turning to my mother, I smiled, “Always a delight, please keep your intentions for meddling in my life to yourself.”

Walking confidently towards the door, I heard my mother softly order me to return. “You do not get the last word son,” she said sternly.

“Today I do,” I returned with a small wave.

I was fuming as I hit the sidewalk and even more so when I realized it would take at least ten minutes for the valet. Nice night for a stroll anyway I thought. I hurried to the corner to turn quickly down the next street out of eyeshot of the restaurant in case either my mother or Jessica decided to follow. Upon rounding the corner, I pulled out my phone to dial my driver, but ended up stopping mid dial.

I looked around on the fairly busy street. Straight across from me was a bright purple neon sign. Ruby’s The gem of downtown. I shook my head at the pun, but found my feet nonetheless carrying me to the door.

I still wasn’t honestly sure what I was walking into, but upon stepping inside I felt like I was taken back in time. The club was definitely unique. It exuded expensive taste with an intimate feel. The booths were intimate, the bar was retro, and the dance floor was lowered beneath the floor level so that all the seating had a great view of the crowd. I sauntered to the bar. Met by the bartender in a matter of seconds, “Good evening sir,” he started, “first time in Ruby’s?”

“That obvious?” I chortled.

“You have the first-timers ahh” the bartender said with a smile.

“It’s just. . . So different,” I said slowly.

“Indeed,” he agreed, “my name is Mack what can I get you?”

“Surprise me,” I said. He turned around quickly to get to work. While he was pulling from the shelves I surveyed the rest of the room. Mack and the other bartenders were dressed in 1920s attire. Typically this gimmick type attire would really have turned me off, but it was an extremely classy rendition. The perfect combination of modern and 20s style. Each wore all black including a slick fedora, suspenders, shirts with subtle stripes and a plain black tie to match. Instead of suit pants, however, they wore modern distressed jeans. I was taken aback by the keen attention to detail. Every single bartenders uniform fit perfectly, like it was tailored to them. The only difference between the men and women bartenders were their shoes. The men wore shiny black tied dress shoes and the females wore the black t strap heels.

I laughed internally. I guess my mother being a fashion designer gave me more clothing knowledge than I realized. I shuddered to think of how any of the last few minutes of my thoughts would sound out-loud. As if realizing I needed pulled from my thoughts, Mack set my glass gently in front of me.

I subconsciously raised my eyebrow at the orange peel atop my drink. Mack smiled, “trust me. It’s Ruby’s special, you’ll like it.” I wasn’t too thrilled, but tried the drink anyway. As the glass touched my lips, a soft hand touched my shoulder. I braced myself wondering how in the world Jessica had found me so quickly.

Before I could turn to meet her face, I felt her breath close to my neck. She whispered softly, “welcome to Ruby’s stranger.”

Well that’s definitely not Jessica, I thought to myself.