I always have a good time when I go out with Jenna and it’s true that it’s been a while for me. I’m not exactly into relationships and have never felt the need for anything more than the occasional one and done I can get from a night out. Sure, I’ve had a few repeats but the second they start acting like they might want more than a little fun I drop them like a bad habit. I figured out a long time ago that long-term relationships just aren’t in the cards for me.
Hollie is still in her hometown with Archer, taking care of her mom and Violet hasn’t answered my texts from earlier. I know something is going on with her, she’s been acting weird and cagey for weeks. I’m tempted to push her on the issue but she’s a quiet and introspective person, I know she’ll come to me when she’s ready to talk. With both roomies MIA, I don’t really feel like sitting at home all alone tonight.
“I promise you’ll have so much fun. You totally won’t regret it.” She bats her eyelashes at me, and I know I’m going to give in. Is this how she puts men under her spell? Because it works.
“Okay, okay. You’ve worn me down.”
“Yay!” Jenna does a little happy dance behind our small reception desk and I quickly glance around, making sure Margot doesn’t notice the display of jubilance. Luckily, she’s nowhere in sight. It’s been a pretty slow day at the gallery so I’ve mainly been answering phones, cleaning, and following up with clients while Margot has been holed up in her office. She hasn’t brought up my paintings again and I’m relieved. I’ve been working hard on creating a piece she might actually like, but I haven’t been able to produce anything I think will be of her caliber yet. I used to think I was an amazing artist, but Margot’s reaction to that one painting has really shaken my confidence.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t think I suck or anything, but for some stupid reason I thought this would all be easier. It looks like it’s going to take me a lot longer than I expectedto make a splash in the art world. But I’m not giving up. I still create every day and I know that I’ll come up with something that’s going to blow Margot away.
“Cut it out.” Jenna elbows me in the side and I tear my eyes away from the spot outside the large glass storefront I was zeroing in on while spacing out.
“What?” I ask while rubbing the spot on my side. Damn, that girl has bony elbows.
“I know that look, you’re thinking your work sucks again.”
“I don’t think it sucks.” How do I explain this to her? “I just thought I was better than this. I guess, for some reason, I thought I would be the exception to the struggling artist cliche. Margot just gave me a dose of reality and I’m working through it in my head. It’s no big deal, I’ve got this.”
“Yeah you do,” she says. “I may not be a full-blown gallerist yet but I know your stuff is good. If I had my own place I would definitely show your work, no question.”
I know she’s not lying. Jenna is brutally honest when it comes to art. If she says she likes my stuff, she likes it. The fact thatanyonein the art world likes what I do gives my morose thoughts a little bump. This isn’t just my dad or my best friends telling me my work is great, this is someone that knows what she’s talking about.
I bend down and squeeze her tightly in my arms. “Thanks Jenna. You don’t know how much that means to me.”
“Well, it’s the truth.” Her voice is slightly muffled against my blouse so I let her go and she exaggerates gasping for air. “Jesus Bianca, watch out for my ribs next time. We can’t go out tonight if I’m in the damn hospital.” I just laugh and give her another, gentler, squeeze before getting back to work.
***
I check my makeup in the vanity mirror one more time while Jenna keeps chattering away and driving down the rain slicked street. Brows? Perfectly arched. Lips? Painted a pouty berry. Cat eyes? Sharp enough to kill a man. I chuckle to myself starting to sing Taylor Swift in my head. Satisfied, I close the mirror and lean back in the leather seat while Jenna whisks us swiftly to our destination.
Hollie and Violet are always teasing me about how long it takes me to get ready and believe me, I know it’s a bit excessive. I hardly ever step out of the house without a full face of makeup on, but I can’t help it. It’s not that I hate the way I look, I actually think I’m fairly pretty. I just happen to love makeup. I figure it’s probably an extension of my love to create beautiful things. My makeup is just another piece of art that I’ve created. It doesn’t hurt that it sometimes feels like I’m putting on battle armor. Especially when I’m getting ready to mingle with drunken patrons at a bar all night.
“…and I told him we were coming here tonight so if he shows up then that’s got to mean he’s into me, you know?”
I quickly tune into what Jenna’s saying and feel a little guilty that I’ve spaced out on her, but this girl cantalk. If I listened to every word I’d be dizzy. “Wait, who are you talking about?”
I can see her roll her eyes even though she doesn’t take them away from the road. “Michael? The barista at Grind Me? I just spent the past five minutes telling you about him. Girl, you have got to pay more attention.”
I grimace a little, feeling bad. She’s right, that was rude. “I’m really sorry. I’ve had a lot on my mind this week. Why don’t you give me the TLDR version?”
She lets out a laugh and makes a sharp right that has me gripping theoh shithandle above the door. “I’ve been chatting up the new barista at Grind Me. You know that new coffee place down the street from work? He’s super-hot. Like in a total ClarkKent kind of way. If I can get him to take off those glasses there’s totally going to be a Henry Cavill under there.”
“The hottest Superman,” I interject.
“Exactly!” she shouts, overexcited while I chuckle. “Anyway, I just happened to mention that we were going to be here tonight and he totally looked like he was paying attention. That means if he shows up that’s proof he’s into me and I’m going for it. My lady bits could use the fun.”
“You think he’s going to show up on a Monday night? I thought we were the only ones crazy enough to do that.”
“I guess we’ll find out if he wantsthisenough.” She gives a little shimmy in her seat that lets her boobs shake and threaten to spill out of her top. If Clark Kent does show up, he’s going to be putty in her hands.
The car rolls into the parking lot at Vinnie’s, a bar slash music venue slash dance club that’s not too far from my place. I’m surprised that there’s a decent number of cars here for a Monday night.
We make our way across the lot to the squat brick one story building. When I swing the heavy wooden door open a blast of warm air, stale beer, and the sounds of live music practically smack me in the face.
“Awesome! There’s a band, I can’t wait to get my dance on,” Jenna says while making her way to the long scarred wooden bar running across the back wall. While we wait for the bartender, I take a look around. It’s a decent size crowd but not a ton of people. I even spot a few out on the dance floor. There’s one couple who looks like they’re closer to simulating sex than they are dancing and the band’s not even playing a slow song.
As I’m scanning the crowd, I can feel eyes on me and it takes a minute to find the familiar face in the crowd. A smile stretches across my face and I shout to Jenna that I’ll be right back. Iquickly make my way to the other end of the bar and wrap my arms around the man that was watching me. “Jake!”