CHAPTER 4 Confusing Feelings -
http://wp.me/p8iWQ4-3KAfter making a spectacle of myself I spent the rest of the day holed up in my home..again..but this time i decided to be productive and practice mixology. In spite of everything going on i need to remember what my priorities are.
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I put in a solid few hours perfecting my art before deciding to give Shannon a call, after all she had a good lecture coming on. As soon as she answered I let her have it, she stumbled over her words, apologizing profusely. I had her promise to never do this ever again, I didn’t want her to meddle in my life. She agreed wholeheartedly and we left it at that. She is my very good friend and i didn’t want to alienate the only person i actually hung out with.
The next couple of days passed quietly, I kept my head down and on top of my work and messaged Shannon and Gina often and even took the chance and gave my mom a call. I really missed her and dad. She insisted that no one knew where i was or to giving anyone my number. That assurance put me at ease plus the lack of anything remotely suspicious happening around me helped a lot to ally my fears. I couldn’t get Ricky out of my head tho and was ecstatic when he called asking if he could come over…of course i said yes.
I greeted him hesitantly when he arrived. As excited as i was to see him i was unsure of how this would go. He declined my invitation to come in, saying he was only there to assure me that we are still friends, he just wants to be friends and he is crazy about his wife. He went on to explain that he enjoys hanging with me as I don’t fawn over him and treats him just like a regular guy and not some star athlete and he appreciates that and can we still remain friends. I gave a tight smile and said sure. We hugged and he left.
Something happened at work that had me ecstatic…yes you guessed it. I got the promotion to Head Mixologist. *giddy dance* The manager was so sleek about it too, one of our regular bartenders was out with the flu, a real bad case from what I heard and the manager needed someone to fill in and I was picked. I was nervous for sure and last night was particularly busy but I did excellent. I even Impressed myself with how well I performed and got drinks out. so I got the promotion!
I decided to throw a celebratory party to show off my skills as well as let my friends know what happened. Shannon, Gina and Ricky came over the next afternoon. I prepared some light food and we mingled with drinks I made.
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Ricky flirted with my shamelessly, stroking my hands and his gaze lingering a bit longer than necessary on my mouth. The way he leaned into me when we danced or tried to stay close to me everywhere I went. Id say the party wasn’t a huge success because I spent most of my time with Ricky but Shannon assured me she didn’t mind too much but i still noticed the dirty looks she gave him. After everyone had left, I sat on my porch wondering what was going on with Ricky. He kept sending mixed signals. I decided to invite him over the next day to find out what was going on.
Gina called em up to invite me out to dinner at New Beginnings to celebrate my promotion..Although the food was well received at the party earlier it wasn’t anything heavy enough to be filling so I agreed. The place was packed and we had to wait awhile to get in. On my way to be seated, I heard a familiar husky laugh, I turned over to my left and saw Ricky….sitting with a good looking dark haired woman, still dressed in the clothes he attended the party with.I let Gina know I’d be right back and made my way over to say hello.
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Smiling at them both and turned my head to Ricky to compliment his appearance before turning to his…date and waited to be introduced..to his wife, the famous author Marianna Bromleigh.
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She greeted me but noticed the tension between Ricky and I. When she turned to Ricky he hid his face behind his coffee cup. I complimented her on her choice of food, the space eggs were something I always wanted to try and she didn’t hesitate to offer me a taste of her untouched food. Yes.. I unashamedly ate from her meal..she was sitting here with the sneaky snake I had no doubt he would make up some story about me when I left.
To my surprise Marianna invited me to come over sometime and gave me her number to contact her when i decided to come. Then she excused both Ricky and herself, saying the babysitter was only booked until 12 and it was almost 11:45 pm. I hid my shock…a babysitter??? In all our times chatting Ricky never mention having a child. I kept my features schooled and smiled politely. as she stood to leave I went in to grab Marianna’s hand..the look she gave me threw me off.
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I believed then that she was just being polite. I extricated myself and went to my table.
Gina was oblivious to what had happened and had taken the opportunity to order our meals to go.
The next two days passed by so quickly and I was so busy at work I didn’t have much time to dwell on Ricky and his deceit. Shannon called me up on Thursday night, she was off for the first time that week and wanted to hang out to get her mind off a huge case she was working on. She came over with pizza and beer, which reminded me of all those summers when we were teens when I’d sneak out from Aunt Zelda’s to meet with Shannon to eat pizza and drink beer. She was such a rebel back then.
We watched movies and gossiped. I told her about what happened with Ricky and Marianna. We laughed until my laughter turned to tears and of course my bestie was there to console me. She pulled me into a hug and patted my back. Then.. she.. kissed me and the strangest thing was i kissed her right back.
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We both gasped when we pulled apart. Our eyes wide, this was totally unexpected. Shannon left…just walked out the door leaving me in this maelstrom which was my life now.
I’ve been avoiding Shannon’s calls and text messages. I just don’t know what t o say to her. I have never had any romantic feelings towards her but I responded to that kiss like it was the most amazing to ever happen to me and it was. in a completely amazingly confusing way.
The following Saturday morning, I was weeding my spinach plant when a deep voice called out a greeting. My oh my. I barely remembered to smile and return the greeting.This gorgeous guy with beautiful brown eyes and a brilliant white smile was standing at the end of my walkway.
“Hello, I was wondering if you can direct me please? I’m looking for the Speaker Bar & Grill but I’m lost.”, his voice just oozed sexiness.
“Oh. You’re in the wrong neighborhood. Its all residential here but to be totally honest, I’ve only been here a couple of months myself and I’m not sure where you would find the bar. I’m sorry i wasn’t much help”. I responded, making sure I kept my nervousness out of my voice.
He really was a beautiful man. He looked really disappointed and I decided to be impulsive and invite him in from the heat and his wanderings for a cool glass of iced tea. I know, I know, who actually invites some stranger off the street into their home after just meeting them but I wasn’t completely stupid, I left the front door wide open in the event I needed to scream for help.
We sat on the sofa and this hunky guy finally introduced himself, Mr. Damien Thomas, aspiring Comedian. He went on to say he recently moved to Newcrest with his twin sister Ashlie Thomas we spoke for about an hour before he decided to be on his way. I must say i was quite glad I met him.
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