Sleeping with a Friend

Blast From the Past

I had started to dread thinking about meeting Xander and Jennifer for dinner tonight, as well as my meeting with "Kevin". I had also debated on whether to feed into "Kevin"'s request that I wear nothing because he apparently had something picked out for me already. Staring into my closet, I pulled out a black halter mini dress that had a low v neck line, and was covered in tulle. The tulle was black but the ends faded into a soft gray hue. The material bunched at the waist, which only helped accentuate the curve of my hips. I tossed my hair up in a messy bun, and added a flower just for decoration, making sure I didn't forget my crimson lips. I tucked my mask into my purse praying that I wouldn't need to open my purse during the first round of dinner.

I was dropped off at the Mockingbird and walked in to see if I could see Xander, or someone that resembled an older Jennifer. I glanced over to the dinning area, and saw him looking to his left. Once he saw me, he excused himself and hurried over. I removed my black trench coat, as he greeted me with open arms. "Wow! You look great. Damn. When did you start wearing things lie this? And how come you never dressed that way for me?" He started to lead us back to the table. "You never asked me to."

As we made our way to the table finally, I was shocked that it was indeed Jennifer. She looked exactly the way she did fifteen years ago, just like at the party. She stood up and greeted me with a smile, and reached her hand out. "Lee, he talks non stop about you. Do you remember me? You know "us girls have to stick together? I remember you. Wow! I cannot believe how much you've changed. You look incredible!" I was shocked to have someone from my past distract me from who I had become. This made it all to difficult for me to head the situation. I held her arms out and grave her a quick glance over. He sat there, watching my facial expressions trying to read the moment. The waiter came over and took out orders. I ordered something as light as I could. Only when Jennifer excused her self to the restroom did he actually make eye contact with me.

"What do you think?" I titled my head before I said anything. I couldn't help but emphasize that she looked exactly the same, But he insisted on knowing what I thought of her. It made me feel better that he valued me opinion so much, and cared about what I had thought. "I appreciate that. But my mind isn't here tonight. Sadly, I should have mentioned this earlier, I meeting up with someone later tonight as well. That's what this fancy dress is for." Xander leaned into me, inquiring on whether I had a date. I wasn't going to inform him that I had to go to dinner with a man who I ass f**k and whip for pleasure. The less he knew the better off we all were. Although, I knew keeping this from him for so long would hurt him so much if her ever did find out. Jennifer was making her way back to the table with all smiles.

"So how have things been for you since college?" I asked, looking to see if she had any flaws that were visibly noticeable, but there was nothing. No tan line on her finger, not recently divorced. "Well, when I graduated I started working for my Daddy's law firm. I started at the bottom making copies and doing some research for some of their cases. I was able to make a name for myself there, and started looking to... I guess you could say broaden my portfolio. My father knew Mr. Cole, and had put in a good word for me. After I met him, I will say that he scared the crap out of me. He was a bit cold and a little too serious, but I thought maybe he was doing that to test my response. I was shocked when he opted to give me a chance. And my first day in the lobby, that is when I saw Xander. I laughed when we got into the elevator, and by noon we were having lunch together catching up on the fifteen years that had passed."

I smile, but the first thing I thought about was how she left her "Daddy's" firm. It made me think that there was something more that happened there, something she didn't want to mention. If she made him happy, I couldn't ask for anything more then his happiness. I glanced at his phone on the table and realized that I had to be on my way. "I'm terribly sorry about this, but I had plans prior to finding out about this dinner, and I'm afraid I have to for. It was a pleasure seeing you again. I will send you a text when I get home." He nodded, and as I left the table I heard him explaining why I need to text him when I get home. Which I knew was another way for her heart to melt in his hands. Once I made it outside I contacted my favorite Uber driver and he was there to pick me up. I made sure to put my mask on before I saw him pull up.

"How are we tonight Francis?" I kind of got a kick out of seeing Francis when I worked. I was he personal puzzle that he was trying to put together. But I was more complex then he thought I would be, and not all pieces fit together I showed him the address, and I was amazed that he remembered that was also the first night we met. Again, we made simple small talk, as we neared the front of the skyscraper. As I exited the vehicle I heard him say my name, " Ziva?" I leaned my head back into the Cadillac. He took a moment to respond. Staling to find the right words, "How about sometime we meet for lunch sometime?" I raised a brow. "What would your wife say?" He twirled at his ring, and took a deep sigh. He looked back at me with a little water in his eyes, and told me that she had passed away a few years back, I reminded him of her, and that's why he wanted to get to know me a little bit more. I smiled at him, "That would be very nice Francis. I would love to have lunch with you someday."