The moment Nikki entered the room, she owned it. She owned every room she ever entered. She reminded him of the Charlize Theron perfume ad, walking with such confidence. For a moment, he forgot that he was sitting with his friends at this rooftop restaurant overlooking Hollywood. He wasn’t thinking about his surroundings at all.
Nikki sat beside what looked to be her boyfriend or husband; he stood to kiss and greet her, and she sat closely. He looked around sixty, bearded, and suited up from work. He leaned the other way, talking to his friend, who was also in a business suit.
“Hellooo,” Lauren said within the confines of his mind.
Lauren then looked away but returned for another glance. He noticed her eyes, her neckline, her mouth. She knew he was looking. She stared back at him and smiled.
“Hi yourself,” she answered without ever speaking.
Lauren was taken aback by her telepathic response. Was he making this up in his mind? She heard her sexy voice and all, and she didn’t say a word aloud. They seemed capable of speaking as if alone in a quiet room, with no restaurant noise, no voices, nothing.
The background noises returned momentarily while Lauren engaged in his friends’ conversation; they wondered if their boss had work done on her face. KG turned to Lauren, smiled, and clinked glasses before Lauren turned back to Nikki, and their world went silent.
“You can hear me?” he asked.
“As long as you can keep my attention, I can.”
“How is this even possible? You’re gorgeous.”
“You better try harder than that. What’s your story?”
“My story? I’m a digital art director at a boutique ad agency.”
“Boooring. Try harder.”
Lauren stumbled, “Wow. Okay. I live with my beautiful and precocious five-year-old daughter who makes me breakfast and I swear is going on fifteen and it scares the crap out of me.”
“Now we’re talking. Divorce?”
“More like a dress rehearsal, but long enough to have a child.”
“You’re sorta sad, but cute.”
Lauren noticed her large wedding ring and wondered why he hadn’t seen it before. Then he saw her husband’s silver band.
“I must be losing it, either way you are married! Is this your true love?”
“Time will tell.”
Lauren’s secret world was interrupted by KG, who said, “Lauren. Lauren. Hello? Where are you tonight?”
Lauren just smiled and wondered how he would ever tell this story.
“It’s your turn, Lauren, to get us tequila. Something good, not that well stuff.”
Lauren nodded, though he wondered if he should stop drinking altogether. He entered the bar inside. It was narrow and red brick but elegant, as there were candles burning in holes in the wall all along the bar, and club music was blaring.
“Tequila, that one, on the rocks. Two? Thank you.
Just then, Nikki entered the bar and crossed behind Lauren, watching him watch her in the mirror behind the bar. She returned a long sizzling glance before entering the ladies room.
Lauren received his drinks and was ready to head back to the patio, but not before Nikki approached him and got very close.
“I’ll be here tomorrow night too,” she said.
“Oh, we are actually speaking now.”
“We’ll see.” Nikki leaned in, gave him a long, lingering kiss, and then suddenly left.
Lauren took his shot and his friend’s shot and then ordered two more.
I approve this message. kind regards,