Chapter 5
Even though my thoughts were preoccupied, my day continued without a hitch. My 9:30 appointment had been a husband and wife who were looking to get the spark back in their marriage. What better way to do that than take racy photos together? They seemed to enjoy the closeness the photoshoot brought them, and I hoped it was what they needed to fuel their fire. I loved that my studio specialized in tasteful yet erotic shoots because it allowed me to uniquely showcase my artistry.
My pictures may have been a bit of a niche market, but I was surprisingly busy. I booked out weeks in advance and made more than enough money to fund my carefree lifestyle. I’d never been one to bend to societal norms, and my work was no different. There would always be those who opposed the sexual nature my job promoted, but the joy and sense of freedom it brought my clients made it all worth it. After I wrapped up the last shoot of the day, Haley booked the next appointment with the client and then locked the door behind them.
“Hey, boss. I’ll put the props and costumes away. Are you going to start editing tonight?”
“I think I’ll call Shannon to get together for a drink and try to have a relaxing evening. This day has been odd, to say the least, and I could use some normalcy.” I also needed to talk to my bestie about my strange run-in today and see what she thought it meant and how I could get her out of my head.
Shanny was always down for refreshments and the potential to hook up with someone, so I had no doubt she’d meet me at our favorite bar. I still had to finish putting my equipment away, but I figured if I texted her now, it would give her enough time to meet me.
Me: Double Shift in thirty?
I’d barely hit send before the three dots on her end started dancing around.
Shannon: I’m already here.
Me: Don’t leave with anyone before I get there, and save me a drink. I need to talk.
Shannon: Can’t make any promises. There are some rather fine ladies here tonight. Hurry your ass up!
Well, that settled it. I would leave the cleanup until tomorrow. “Haley, I’m heading out for the night. Do you have any plans?” After the words were out of my mouth, I realized that might have sounded like an invitation, which I wouldn’t mind her coming along, but she didn’t seem like the lesbian bar type.
“Adam and I might watch a movie or something, I’m not sure what he’ll decide on. He is so opinionated about what we do.” She chuckled and slightly rolled her eyes. “One minute he wants to watch a movie, the next minute he wants to go out to eat, then he wants to?—”
“Let me stop you right there. Since you’re not sure what he wants to do, why don’t you forget about putting all this stuff away and figure out your evening? We can both come back in the morning—8:00 a.m. sharp, and take care of this mess.”
“Oh, I don’t mind doing it now. That’s what you pay me for. Besides, your first client is coming in early to look at their prints. You do have them all laid out, right?”
“Yes, Mom. I’ve finished all my homework. Now, can I go play with my friend?” I asked jokingly.
“Hey, I’m your assistant, and what good would I be if I didn’t remind you of your obligations? Just doing my job. If you don’t like it, too bad. I’m not letting something slip through the cracks. My anxiety won’t allow it.” She shrugged her shoulders in a “what can you do” manner.
“All right,” I said, knowing she was right. “I’ll be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed tomorrow morning. Have a good night, and please don’t work too long.” I unlocked the door and headed out. I was ready to meet Shannon and possibly someone else to help me clear my head.
When I got to Double Shift, I saw Shanny sitting at the bar. I’d recognize her short blonde pixie anywhere. She appeared to be chatting up some Kristen Stewart lookalike.
I walked up behind her and wrapped my arm around her shoulder. “Hey, babe. Who’s this?”
The girl appeared shocked, and I felt terrible for clitterferring, but I hoped to talk to my friend uninterrupted.
Shannon threw my arm off her shoulder and tried to smooth things over, but the younger woman had already left, probably scared that I was a scorned girlfriend who’d take out my rage on her. Shannon turned on me so fast that she probably caused herself whiplash. “What the fuck, Lay?”
“I’m sorry. But if we have something serious to discuss, it’s okay to clam jam, right?”
“No, that’s so far from right it’s left.” She shook her head, but I could tell she wasn’t mad.
“I missed you. Can I buy you a drink?” I smiled and waved to Iris, the barkeep.
“You better buy me a drink, and I missed you, too. What’s going on?”
I ordered a rum and Coke and a scotch for her before sitting down. “Something weird happened today, and now I’m stuck in this feeling.”
The bartender placed two glasses before us, and Shannon took a long drink before responding.
“Weird, how? And what feeling?”
I proceeded to fill her in on the incident and how the whole morning was chaotic.
“That sounds pretty typical. There are inconsiderate twats all over New York. So, what did you need advice on? How to get back at the asshole who hit everyone?”
“No, Ms. Impatient. I was getting to the part that troubled me. The woman who backed into me is causing all these feelings to stir. I don’t even know what they are, but I keep having flashbacks of her eyes, and they lock me in a trance. It’s like time doesn’t move, and all I can think about is her.” I heard how bizarre that sounded and worried Shanny wouldn’t believe me.
“Lay, I’m going to give it to you straight. Seeing a beautiful woman is exciting, and wanting to explore that is okay. But what you’re saying sounds like an obsession is about to happen. That can’t be healthy, especially when you know nothing about her or where to find her.” She had a point, but this was more than that.
I couldn’t explain because I didn’t understand it myself, but it was like her eyes were calling me. I was so glad I kept that part to myself.
“But it wasn’t just an attraction. I mean, I didn’t even see her completely. It was like a magnetic pull to her. When I close my eyes, I can still feel her and smell that mango scent—it’s like she’s with me.”
She sighed. “If that’s the case, look around and see if anyone catches your eye. It just might be the girl since you know nothing about her. And if it’s not her, tell yourself it is and move on.” Her advice wasn’t unfounded, but it wouldn’t be that easy.
I’d never experienced this kind of connection to someone where they preoccupied my mind. If I was honest, most of my thoughts were about work or my passion projects, which changed often. I never had serious girlfriends because I didn’t think I could devote my time and attention to another person.
I wanted to make whoever I was with a priority, so I preferred to stay single until I could give more of myself to someone.
“Maybe you’re right. I’m probably tired, and my mind is trying to fill in gaps of reality.” I took a long pull from my straw and realized I was about to down my entire drink.
“Look. We’ve all had that instant chemistry with someone and considered taking them home. It happens, but there are plenty of fish in the sea, so you don’t have to get hung up on the one that got away.” She flourished her hand around the bar as if showcasing her point. “You’re good-looking, successful, and fun. Take your pick; any of these women would go home with you.”
“Yeah, I guess. But it seems wrong trying to hook up with someone while thinking of someone else.”
“Again, you have no idea who you are thinking of, so let it go. Find someone who is here, who wants to be with you, and then they can take over your thoughts.” She patted me on the back and stood up. “Now, as much as I want to keep talking about your non-issue, I’m going to take a lap and see if I can help anyone else tonight.” She waggled her eyebrows, and I shook my head.
“Okay. I’ll be here for you if you need a wingwoman.” I ordered another drink and figured I would see where the night took me.
“I know you are. But you need to focus on you. Get out of your head and get someone real into your bed.” She laughed at her rhyme.
I shook my head. “I’ll be fine. But I want you to be safe.”
“I’m always safe.” She tipped up the last of her scotch and set the glass on the bar. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow, and I want all the deets.” She winked, knowing full well I wasn’t a kiss-and-tell person.
I sipped on my drink as I made eye contact with a woman across the bar. Although her eyes couldn’t begin to compare to the girl from this morning, she was here now and walking toward me.
“Hey,” she breathed out once she reached me.
“Hey, yourself.” I stayed on my stool and patted the one next to me for her to sit.
Once she sat down, she gently trailed her finger over my forearm. “I like your tattoos.” Her gaze bored into me, but it didn’t affect me the way Green Eyes did.
“Thanks.” I studied her skin to see if she had any visible ink, but she didn’t. “Do you have any tattoos? Or just an affinity for others?”
“None for me, but I know beauty when I see it. I’m an artist.” She continued her appreciative stare as she roved my entire body. “I’m Aria, by the way.” She slid her hand down my arm until it was inside mine.
“Aria, the artist. I’m Leia. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” There was an interest there, but it was nothing more than physical. There wasn’t that all-encompassing desire, but I wasn’t ready to write her off.
“I don’t normally do this, but do you want to go someplace else to talk, or maybe more?” Her forwardness led me to believe she wasn’t looking for a fairytale ending—maybe just a happy one, which was fine with me.
As long as we were on the same page, I didn’t mind having fun with someone. I didn’t want a situation where I couldn’t give them what they wanted.
“I have a place where we could talk.” I held her hand tighter and helped her off the stool.
I looked for Shannon to tell her I was leaving, but she was deep in conversation with the girl I box-locked earlier, so at least I didn’t have to feel bad. Things would end up how they were supposed to.