I glared at him over our food. We were having steak, not the usual lunch fare on the lodge restaurant menu, but it was my favorite. I'd requested it in an attempt to soothe my frustration.
"I told you this story so you could help me figure out how to find her, not so you could mock me. And there was nogetting her naked. It was an accident. She ran away because she was embarrassed."
"Okay, well, I've seen at least five women hit on you while we've been here, so maybe you could consider getting naked with one of them. Why go after the one that doesn't want you?" Scott took a bite of steak, chewing with a thoughtful look on his face, then swallowed and said, "Never mind! Answered my own question. Of course, you want the one that presents a challenge."
"It's not that. She was special."
Scott raised an eyebrow. "Special?" He looked at me and whistled. "This woman did a number on you. I thought you were only together for a few minutes."
"You're not supposed to interrogate me, you're supposed to help me."
"Right, well...," he trailed off. "Describe her again?"
"Petite. Shapely. Long blonde hair. Big green eyes." I stabbed another piece of steak and considered it. "I guess I could try to find out if there have been any new members."
"Yeah, as your friend I'm obligated to tell you that you might come off as a bit of a stalker if you do that. And besides, I don't think you need to."
"Hmmm?"
Scott nodded his head toward the other side of the dining room. I looked over my shoulder, past the glass doors where the noonday sun was streaming in. At first, I only saw the usual crowd of people, most of them rich and boring, just like all the rich and boring people in our social circle back in the city. But then, my heart leapt. There was my mystery blonde, coming into the room with another woman. They were just being shown to their seats, and before I even realized what I was doing, I was on my feet and making my way across the room.
She didn't see me coming until I was right by the table. She looked up and met my eyes, and I almost thought the better of speaking to her. She looked embarrassed but also like she might get mad. Still, I had come too far to stop now.
"Could we talk for a moment?"
She sighed. Her friend's mouth fell open.
"Who... What is?... Isn't that?" My mystery woman shook her head to shush her friend. "Okay, but why's he asking you to talk?" her friend hissed, only to be ignored by both of us.
"We're about to eat lunch," she said to me.
"That's fine. I can wait."
She glared at me, then abruptly stood up and motioned for me to follow her.
"I'll be right back, Dani. Order me something I'll like." She strode out of the restaurant and onto the attached balcony. In the summer, they served meals out here, but the weather had gotten too cold. The leaves were turning colors, and she looked pretty in the autumn sunshine. It was too bad it seemed like she was about to reject me again. What a waste of a romantic setting.
She turned on her heel, her arms wrapped around herself against the cold.
"Well?" I sized her up, considering the best approach. I found myself at a loss.
"I just wanted to know your name."
"Just wanted to put a name to the boobs, huh?"
"It's not like that."
"Then what's it like?" I looked at her, defiantly sticking her chin out, shivering slightly. The spark of warmth I'd seen in the sauna was back, this time as anger. It was still incredibly hot. I took a small step toward her, and leaned in a little closer still.
"Didn't we have a connection?"
She looked up at me, and when our eyes met, I knew she wouldn't lie and say we hadn't. A bubble of hope formed in my chest, and then promptly burst as she looked away, a frown on her face.
"I'm not here for that, okay?"
"For telling me your name?"
Now it was she who leaned in, and suddenly our faces were inches apart. I couldn't help but wet my lips, and she smirked at me. Suddenly she took hold of the front of my shirt and pulled me even closer. I could feel her breath when she spoke.