The guys were still not happy to see me, so I wasn’t surprised when the comments started.
“David, isn’t it past your bedtime?” Paul asked.
“No, my mommy says I can stay up till twelve on weekends.”
Adrienne kicked me under the table.
“I’m a little concerned that we may be contributing to the delinquency of a minor. This club is probably a little much for David,” Dave chirped.
“This club?” I asked as I looked around. “Ah, I could pick up anyone of these women in here. I should be fine. I don’t have to hit on people that work with me.”
Dave gave me a sharp look.
“Are you saying I couldn’t pick up any woman in here? Are you kidding me?”
“It sounds like a challenge,” Adrienne said with a smirk. “I bet David can do better than you three.”
I almost got whiplash from that comment as I turned to look at her. As I processed what she said, I realized it was evil genius on Adrienne’s part. She got rid of them and made them some other girls’ problems. When I recovered, I decided to play along.
“Okay, what are the rules of this wager, and what do I win?”
“We put up a hundred each, and you have to bring her to breakfast in the morning,” Al said.
“Make it five hundred, and you have a deal,” I said, pulling out the cash and handing it to Adrienne.
“And you can’t bring anyone from this table to breakfast,” Dave added.
Curse him for seeing through my evil plan. I would actually have to pick someone up, and I was at a serious disadvantage: everyone in the club was in their early twenties to mid thirties.
Each of them paid Adrienne. Al had to borrow some money from Paul. The three guys got up and started hitting on anything with a skirt. I waited till the food came.
“Aren’t you going to go pick someone up?” Andi asked.
“There’s no hurry. Why don’t you ladies look around and find me a likely candidate?”
They seemed to enjoy that. They would point someone out and then the three of them would discuss my chances. I was busy eating my salad and all the appetizers when they said something that caught my attention.
“No, there’s no way he could pick her up,” Adrienne told them.
“I see what you mean. She’s too sophisticated to go with someone David’s age,” Andi added.
“I agree; how about that one?” Abby said, pointing out another girl.
“Hang on, ladies! Who’s impossible for me to pick up?”
They pointed out a stunning brunette in a raw silk dress who was dressed better than almost everyone else there. She was alone and nursing a drink. She was perfect, as far as I was concerned. The woman reminded me of Suzanne. Very pretty girls don’t seem to get hit on as much. Men eliminate themselves because they think the woman is out of their league and they don’t want the rejection. The men that do hit on them are usually players. Not many women are interested in that kind of guy.
“Perfect. I’ll see you guys at breakfast.”
They just watched me walk over to the brunette.
“Hi, I’m not really sure how to do this. Do you mind if I sit down?”
She looked me over and gave me a weak grin.
“If you buy me a drink,” she answered, with what sounded like a British accent.
I just shrugged and sat down.
“I take it that your friends have some sort of bet going on.”
“What makes you say that?” I asked.
“I saw you all giving money to Adrienne and then they started working the room. What has to happen for you to win?”
“I have to show up with someone at breakfast.”
“Why did you pick me?”
“They all said I had no chance with you.”
She laughed at that. Her laughter was music to my ears. I just gave her a lopsided grin.
“What makes you think I’d go with you? You’re way too young for me.”
“I would never presume that I could talk you into anything. You see, I’m just a young boy from the sticks who’s come to the big city for an education. I need someone to take me by the hand and make me a man.”
“That’s good. What else have you got?”
I looked at her neck and she had on a locket.
“That’s a beautiful locket you’re wearing,” I said, and her hand went up reflexively to touch it.
“May I?” I asked, reaching for it.
I waited for her to nod and then lightly brushed her neck as I examined it.
“This seems more ... personal than the rest of your jewelry. Did someone special give it to you?” I asked, releasing it, and my caress caused her to shiver.
She got thoughtful as if she was remembering someone. She looked me in the eye and I never wavered as I held her gaze. Then she began to speak in hushed tones.
“It was given to me by my high school sweetheart. He was about your age. He was eighteen and I was just fifteen at the time. He was my brother’s best friend and I never thought he noticed me. When my brother, Tommy, went off to university, he asked Billy to look after me.
“All the girls had a crush on him. He was a big, gentle boy who had dreamy eyes. It started off with him eating lunch with me. All my friends were jealous that I got to spend time with an older boy. He was focused on getting into university and didn’t have time for dating. I didn’t know this at the time, but he liked me.
“He waited until Tommy came home on holiday when he asked my brother for permission to go on a date with me. Tommy saw how much he liked me and couldn’t think of a better guy. He asked me out that weekend. Billy gave me this locket at Christmas. He was my first for everything. I have never loved someone that much.
“I lost him just before he’d have left for university. He was killed in a car accident coming home from a party. I had the flu or I would’ve been with him.”
She had tears in her eyes, so I reached over and took her hand. She squeezed it and grabbed the handkerchief that I offered.
“Thank you,” she said as she dabbed away the tears. “I wear it to remind me of that wonderful man and to think of ‘what ifs?’ I never share that story.”
“Thank you, I feel honored you felt comfortable telling me.”
“You’re a good listener. You’ll make some girl very happy.”
“I think she’s already picked me out, but she won’t date me. She’s content to be my best friend until I grow up.”
“Sounds like a smart girl.”
“She is. She’s going to be a doctor.”
She hadn’t let go of my hand, so I could see the signs of interest. I just needed to find some way to get her past the age problem.
“I bet you always date older men,” I told her.
She thought about it before replying.
“What makes you say that?”
“Several things. The first is the way you’re dressed. You aren’t looking for a man your own age. If you were, you’d have on a short skirt and tight top. You’d look fabulous, by the way. But you’re wearing an outfit that would draw a gentleman and not some young stud. Am I correct?”
“Okay, you have my interest.”
“Your jewelry is classic. It’s nice, but not flashy. This tells me you’re conservative in your approach to life. You’re looking for a lasting relationship and all the security that comes with it.”
She gave me a knowing smile.
“Your perfume confuses me,” I said as leaned close to sniff her neck. “It’s more playful than I’d expect. It tells me that you’re adventurous.”
Her smile got bigger.
“But your underwear is what tells me I have a chance.”
She laughed.
“You can’t see my underwear.”
“Exactly.”
Her eyes got big.
“I know I’m going to regret this, but do you have a room?” she asked.
“I do, but I have to ask you one question first.”
“Alright.”
“What’s your name? I’m David, by the way.”
“Aubrey.”
“I need to tell my friends goodbye. Would you like to meet Adrienne?”