Tuesday, April 5, 2011

5. Too good to be true.


A/N I’m trying something new with this chapter, this is Michele’s point of view on the last chapter. Let me know if you like it, I may throw these in from time to time if it gets some good reviews. I’d like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to those who comment. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know what you think, it really means a lot to me and it motivates me to write.

 
You're just too good to be true
can't take my eyes off of you
you'd be like heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much
at long last love has arrived
and I thank God I'm alive
you're just too good to be true
can't take my eyes off of you
 
chorus:
I need you baby and if it's quite alright
I need you baby to warm the lonely nights
I love you baby, trust in me when I say its ok
Oh pretty baby, don't let me down, I pray
oh pretty baby, now that I've found you, stay
and let me love you, o baby, let me love you, o babyy
 

Too good to be true – Lauryn Hill

“Do you want to go out tonight?” Jenn asks as I walk through the door. I had had a horrible day, one where whatever could go wrong did. I had called Jenn on my lunch to rant and get it off my chest. Sometimes we need a little bitch fest to get us through the day. I couldn’t wait for this one to be over, I just wanted to crawl in bed and sleep it off.

Around 4:30 things go interesting. I got a call from Tracey stating that she wanted to see me in her office. The anxiety from the day quickly got the best of me and my stomach dropped like I was on one of those amusement park rides where they send you soaring in the air then drops you down to the ground. I straighten out my suit before I lightly knocked on her door. “Come in”

“You wanted to see me?” I asked lightly as I walked through the door.

“Please, sit down” she gestured towards the high back chair in the corner of her office. “Listen Michele, I know it’s been hectic the last couple of weeks with all the extra work you’ve had to take on, but I wanted you to know that it has not gone unnoticed. I have to tell you that it was a test to see if you could handle the pressure of being in the Broker role. And you did it, you passed with flying colours. In fact, we’d like to switch over your case load and place you on some larger accounts. That is if you’re comfortable with that?”

My head was spinning. “Thank you! Of course I’m comfortable” I must have looked like an idiot sitting there with a grin from ear to ear. “Of course it will call for some later nights on occasion but I’ve noticed but I have noticed that you’re no stranger to that aspect, and of course there will be a salary increase of $10,000 more per year. Does that sound okay to you?”

“Yes, Thank you so much for the opportunity I really appreciate it, you won’t be disappointed”

“You’re welcome, now get out of here” She says with a motherly smile.

With that I got up, shook her hand and went straight to my desk to get my things and call it a day.

The look on Jenn’s face was priceless when she turned around to see me standing there with a huge smile on my face and a bottle of champagne in my hand. “Of course we’re going out tonight. How else would we celebrate my promotion?”

She started jumping up and down jubilantly. “OH MY GOD!!! Babe that’s amazing” She sang as she lunges at me and strangled me in a huge hug.

“I know!!!! I can’t believe it myself........... Where are we going to celebrate?”

“What about Grace O’Malley’s, that little pub on Duncan Street? I hear it’s pretty laid back and always reliable for a good time. Plus, there’s even a little dance floor if we drink enough and feel so inclined to cut a rug”

I laugh at that “Perfect, we’ll head out around 9-9:30?” I ask. “Yup”

With that we go our separate ways. Jenn had previous plans for dinner out, so I just grabbed a light dinner, just a salad and a single slice of bruschetta I’d made. When I finished eating I quickly did the dishes the called my mom to tell her the good news. Almost an hour later I finally got her off the phone and went to the gym for my daily workout. Only 30-45 minutes but it’s my stress relief plus its helps stop the increase in my weight. I always gain weight when I’m stressed and I want to stay healthy.

I finish up shortly and arrive home before 8pm. Jenn is already home and showered. I quickly hop in the shower, lather up and exfoliate. I wax so thankfully I don’t have to waste time shaving, than I’m out and drying off. I take my time getting ready; it’s all about the prep. It makes you feel good to take the time to pamper yourself and I spare no exception I slather my skin in coconut oil and do my make up naturally but masterfully. My hair is blow dried and straightened. At ten minutes to 9pm we’re ready and waiting out front for a cab to take us to Grace’s.


____________________________________________________________________


We arrive shortly before9:30 and the place is empty. I’m a little disappointed; I thought it would be packed. It is a Tuesday night; I guess I shouldn’t expect much. We order a drink and grab a table.

We’re in the middle of a conversation when Jenn announces that she needs to use the restroom. As soon as she’s out of sight this sleazy guy comes over, out of nowhere, flips a chair backwards and parks it right beside me.

“Hey sexy, I can see your pretty lonely over here, so I thought I’d keep you company”

Oh Christ. ‘I’m good actually, Thanks anyways” I try to dismiss him. “You certainly are good” He says with a wink. “Let me but you a drink”

“No thanks, I’ve got a full one here.” I gesture to the glass in front of me. “Come on a pretty girl like you can’t resist a guy like me, let buy you a drink” For real buddy?

“No, Thank you” I state. “Okay do you want to dance?” Seriously? “No, thank you”

Jenn walks up to the table looks at the guy and starts to laugh. “Seriously dude leave her alone she’s not interested”

“How do you know?”

“Cause she’s with me, and neither of us like dick, so unless you’re a really masculine looking woman, she’s not interested” Holy shit did she just tell him we’re lesbians?

“What a waste” He states looking back and forth between the both of us. He adds “If you change your mind, and decide you want a meat injection, I’ll be at the bar.” EEWWWWWW!!!!!!!!

“We won’t” She states in an even tone, completely unfazed by his comment. He turns on his heal and struts over to the bar.

“That was the most disgusting thing I’ve ever heard in my life” I say drinking the rest of my drink.

“I’m gonna need another after that, I’ll be back” Shaking my head, I get up from my chair and walk to the bar. I place my order for 2 more martinis’.


____________________________________________________________________

The bartender comes back and informs me that the guy on the opposite side of the bar has picked up my drinks. I look up expecting to see mister “meat injection” but thankfully it’s not him. Instead, it’s some kid; he gives me a dramatically emphasized wink, mouth open and all. Then he smiles this huge grin at me, exposing a mouth full of braces. What the hell is going on in this place? It must be his 19th birthday because he looks like he’s 14 years old.

“Tell him thanks, but no thanks” I say as I give him a twenty.

He smiles at me like he understands. “There’s another guy over at that table who wants to buy ya a round, ya game?”

“Absolutely not”

“Listen Hunny, I’ll make you a deal, the next guy who comes over to ask if I can send you over a drink, I’ll tell him you’re the Ice Queen and it’s not worth it” He says empathetically.

“Sounds good to me. Sorry for the trouble”

“It’s no trouble, Sweetheart. Now get outta here, have fun. Before I have to beat them off with a stick” “Thanks” I smile and make my way back over to Jenn.

The place finally starts to fill up, I guess we got here too early. Our drinks are empty in no time and I make my way up to get some refills. My bartender friend comes over gets my order drops it off then walks away. Where is he going? I didn’t pay him yet! I waved my arm to get him to come back over to me but it was no use.

I stepped up on the brass rail at the bottom of the bar to make myself taller and I leaned over and called to him “Excuse me sir, I didn’t pay you!” I repeated myself twice then grabbed my money and put it on the serving side of the bar. I don’t want anyone to take the money so he wouldn’t be short at the end of the night. I step off the rail, grab my drinks and go back to Jenn. I wish they had table service.

I tell Jenn about the bartender and all she does is shrug. She would have never left the cash it’s not her style. Towards the end of this round I started to feel the alcohol. I wouldn’t say I was tipsy but I was definitely feeling good and we were having a great time laughing and talking. I looked up at the bar to see if Meat was still there staring and being creepy, when I noticed this insanely sexy guy sitting at the bar.

I stopped Jenn mid sentence to point him put. “Don’t be obvious when you glance over, but he’s at the far side of the bar looks like he’s alone. He’s wearing a white T-shirt, gray plaid scarf, Dark hair.” I glance back over at him. “Wait, don’t look yet, another guy is sitting beside him now.”

Jenn looks at me. “Ok I’m going to get some drinks I’ll check them out up close to see if he’s good close up” She winks at me and gives me a playful kick under the table. Oh Jenn.

She comes back with our drinks, grinning ear to ear. “So hot” is all she says as she places my drink in front of me. “The friend is pretty cute too one for me one for you. You should definitely go talk to him”

“Yeah right, like that’s going to happen”

“Why not you think he’s hot and he actually is hot, what’s the problem here?”

“Drop it Jenn please just let me enjoy the view”

“Whatever chicken shit, I guess you’d prefer ‘Meat’ ”


“Oh god” I groan and we crack up laughing. I notice my glass is empty again. These are going down like water.

“Okay last round I’m buying” I state then go to order. The same thing happens again once he drops the drinks off. This guy is the worst bartender ever! How can he possibly make any money if he constantly forgets to charge people? Back at the table I tell Jenn of his short comings.

We’re interrupted by my hot guys friend, who bumps into our table. “Sorry about that ladies”

“Anytime” Jenn answers flirtatiously.

He smiles at us “So are you enjoying yourselves tonight?” He asks with a genuine smile on his face.

“Fantastic. Yourself?” Jenn answers again.

“Can’t complain. Its pretty packed in here for a Tuesday night. The bar is getting pretty crowded though, almost no where to stand or sit” He states and smiles.

“Why don’t you join us…what did you say your name was?”She asks.

“Sorry, I’m Clarke and you?

“I’m Jenn and this is Michele”

“Nice to meet you both and I’d love too, but I’ve got a friend over at the bar, and I wouldn’t want us to bother you”

“No bother at all. Call him over. Join us, it’ll be fun.”

“Your sure? We’re pretty boring?”

“We’re not…call him over” She nods.

He waves over to hot guy and I watch as he grabs 2 beers and walks over to our table. Holy shit I’ve never seen jeans that fit like that. My hands start to sweat. I have to wipe them on my jeans once he makes it to the table and looks me in the eye and smiles. Is it possible for someone to look hotter than he does right now? I smile back at him.

“Ladies, this is my friend Joffrey, Joffrey this is Jenn” Clarke says, and Jenn reaches to shake his hand. “Nice to meet you” Joffrey says to her, and give her a sexy smile.

Clarke then turns to my direction. Joffrey makes direct eye contact with me. “And this is Michele” A huge beautiful smile spreads across his face revealing a perfect set of blinding white teeth.

“Hi Michele, nice to meet you” I’m like an idiot and am already extending my hand because I want to touch him he takes my hand in his and shakes it. I hope he can’t feel how damp it is. Jenn looks right at me and shoots me her sneaky little grin.

Clarke and Jenn seem to hit it off and are deep in conversation. Joffrey breaks the ice.

“Do you come here often?”

“Never actually, this is my first time here. You?”

“First time too, I just moved here so I’m slowly starting to explore”

“Really? From where?”

“Anaheim.” He answers. Anaheim what the hell is he doing here???

I have to ask him. “Well that’s quite the change. Why would you come here to the freezing cold and snow when you could be in the sunshine and heat all day?”

“I didn’t really have a choice, I came here for work”

“If you don’t mind me asking what do you do for work that would require you moving here?” I ask with a smile.

“Well it didn’t require I move here specifically, I was traded here, I play hockey professionally”

“Hockey? Like for the Marlies or the Leafs or something like that?”

“Yup, the Leafs”

“Wow, that’s an interesting career. I’m a hockey fan actually, I’m sorry to say, but I don’t really follow the Leafs too closely.”

“Well I guess we’re going to have to change that”

I can’t help the flirtatious grin I shoot at him. “Maybe I’ll have to keep a closer eye on them now. How do you like it here so far?”

“It was hard to adjust at first but it seems to keep getting better every day” I feel the heat tingle between my legs as he winks at me.

We continue to talk and he seems like a pretty decent guy. “I’m gonna grab another round, I know Clarke needs a beer, but does anyone else want anything?”

“Sure we’ll each have another Black Orchid martini. Michele why don’t you go with Joffrey to get the drinks, he can’t bring back 4 drinks all by himself, with only 2 hands.” Jenn shoots smile. “Can do” I answer.

He orders our drinks. “I got it” I pull out some cash.

“It’s already taken care of, I have a tab” He states.

This is it I decide. I need to make some kind of gesture to let him know I’m interested. I look at him and lightly brush his arm. “Thank you”

He says “Your welcome” and we just kind of stand there looking at each other. “We really should get back to those two” He states.

I smile at him. “Yes we should” Do we really have to, or can I kidnap you?

We walk over to the table and I’m dragging my feet the entire way. Jenn hops up and with Clarke in tow to dance. ACDC’s ‘You shook me all night long’ is blaring over the speakers.

He turns holds out his hand and looks at me. “Do you want to join them?” “Yes please.” I grab his hand. I love dancing and am impressed he asked.

We join Clarke and Jenn and I sing and dance. I love music and the way it makes me feel. He smiles and sings with me. I was surprised that he didn’t want to run off the dance floor after that song ended and we continued to dance. My heart sunk when a slow song came on. This is it, does he run for the hills?I was so relieved when he pulled me to him and we started moving in time to the beat. I couldn’t help it but with every word of the song I felt myself pull him closer to me.

His body is so hard and I felt his fingers tracing along my back under my shirt. His fingers were like fire on my skin. I looked up at him and couldn’t help my eyes when they glanced at his lips and I had to pull them back to his eyes. I started to play with the hair at the nape of his neck while we danced. I smiled at him. I wanted to kiss him so badly but bit my lip to stop from doing so. Then he kissed me. I thought I was dreaming. I couldn’t help myself, My hormones got the best of me and kissed him passionately and pressed myself completely against him I wanted to feel his body on mine, and returned the gesture. He slides his hand across my cheek and I felt his tongue tickle my lips. The kiss was amazing but if I didn’t put on the brakes we would have put on a show right here. Before I could breakaway completely he bite my bottom lip and dragged his teeth across it. Christ he’s sexy. Our eyes locked than he kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear “Do you want to get out of here?”

“Yes” I nodded.

We race outside to hail a cab.

4 comments:

  1. The guys who hit on them in the bar are so funny. "Meat injection"? Disgusting yes, but also funny. And braces? Can we see some I.D. here?

    Everything's different with Joffrey though, it's like love at first sight!

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  2. The kid with the braces made me laugh. I couldn't help thinking of Gavin Crawford as the pimply-faced reporter with the braces from 'This Hour has 22 Minutes'. Too funny!

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  3. Sorry, I guess I should let people who don't watch 22 Minutes see him in action:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AYBXmeQlQA

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  4. Urggghh meat injection? That's almost as bad as the "do you have any Irish in you? Do you want some?" line :)

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