I glance around the table, at all the faces, and think about what I want my life to be like when I reach that age. What I don’t want is my business to be the only thing I have left.
When everyone orders a few more bottles to split, I excuse myself, telling them all that I have class early in the morning. In reality, I’m feeling close to tipsy from the wine, and I want to get away from all these men who barely know me. I want someone who I care about with me, a friend that always comforts me, or more.
Karl insists on walking me out while I wait on the Uber, even when I try to dissuade him multiple times.
“What would your father say if he knew I left you on the street waiting on a cab?” he asks, his tone thick with humor, and he lets out a quick chuckle which I also share. “He’d have my head, believe me.”
“Karl, if you haven’t been fired by now, I don’t think you will ever be,” I say bluntly, but with the same humor, and he barks a laugh.
“Fair enough.”
Thankfully, the Uber is quick, and I don’t have to make casual conversations any longer. Karl opens the door for me, and I give him a quick wave, letting out the breath I was holding once the door finally shuts and I’m alone––aside from the driver, of course.
I feel so lonely, and so starved for human affection after this terrible, long day. I call Dan, hoping beyond belief that he’d at least talk to me, or maybe even invite me over, but just like the rest of the day, he doesn’t answer.
I try again. Nothing.
It’s probably a stupid idea, and will no doubt end in an argument, but I’d rather argue with Dan than go home alone tonight. I tap on the glass between the front and back seat, and the driver opens it.
“Hey, sorry to be a pain, but can we actually go to a different address?” I ask.
“As long as it isn’t too far away from the original, sure.”
“Perfect, thank you,” I tell the driver, followed by Dan’s address. I hope he doesn’t mind a surprise visit.
13
Amsterdam, May 3, 2022
Dan
Jessica giggleswhen I cover her eyes with my hands, letting me lead her out onto the patio at my house. She’d been pissed off still when I invited her over, and I could tell she was geared up for an argument as soon as she walked in the door. Luckily, I had everything planned ahead.
I let her blow off some steam, but when she finished, I calmly explained that I only took Elise to the gala to help her get some exposure. I could tell Jessica didn’t quite believe me, but when I told her I had a surprise waiting for her, she softened up.
“Where are we going?” she asks suspiciously, when a fresh breeze blows her hair, revealing that we are now outside.
“You’ll just have to wait and see.”
I knew she would forgive me eventually, but I don’t have it in me to wait. Elise has me so tied up in knots that I need the touch of a woman, and fast. It’s been too long, and Jessica means something to me at this point, even if it isn’t the romantic lovethat I know she wants from me. I don’t necessarily want her out of my life, but I know I have been sort of a dick with her lately.
When we are finally standing in front of the jacuzzi I set up on the patio, I let my hands fall away. She gives a little gasp of surprise, and I smile to myself smugly.
There are candles scattered all around the jacuzzi, paired with rose petals, and a bucket of ice sitting on the side of it with two bottles of champagne chilling inside. Next to the bucket is a bowl of the ripest strawberries I could find, and they pull the seductive scene together perfectly.
“You did this for me?” she breathes.
I brush her hair off her shoulders and kiss the back of her neck. “Yes, all for you, baby. Now, let’s get changed and enjoy it to the fullest. How does that sound?”
“Changed?” She wraps her arms around me, biting her lip. “Can’t we just go naked instead?”
“Well, there’s the maid around, not that she’ll come out unexpectedly but—”
“But I didn't bring my bikini,” Jess interposes before I can finish my sentence.
“You are in luck, then.” My lips twist into a smile as I reach for the small shopping bag that is lying on the small table and hand it to her. “I got you a little something.”
Jessica gasps in excitement as she opens the bag, and pulls from it a white bikini. She thanks me with a kiss on the lips and goes back inside to change.