Miss Fortune (22 page)

Its that dude? he said, slapping right over the ladies room into incredulity again.

The whole thing was just making her really, really furious. Yes, that dude. Why not that dude? she hissed.

Wow.

Would you please stop saying that?

I mean he really didnt seem your type from what I saw of him. Like, at all .

She wanted to demand what type he saw as being hers, but thought the better of it, seeing as how Flynn was now at his little table just behind her, tidying everything up. Whatever. Look, I really have to go

Hey, did you get any salami this week? Im standing here looking, but I dont see any.

If shed been in a B-movie about the chick who goes off the deep end, this would be the point shed take the butcher knife and chop Myron into teeny-tiny pieces and feed him to Valicielos little dog. Bye, she said indignantly, and clicked off, over Myrons what about the sala

She fussed with the phone for a moment until she had figured out how to turn it completely off, then screwed up her courage and turned around to face Flynn. With a huge smile plastered on her face, of course. So plastered that it hurt her cheeks. Friend, she said, shrugging.

Flynn just gave her a wry smile and walked back into the kitchen to fetch her bag. Really, its quite all right if youre with someone

No! Im not with anyone! she insisted, and really, the irony was not lost on her that she was, for the first time in her life, desperate not to have a boyfriend. I dont even have a dog! That guy is just an old The word dick came to mind. Hes just an old friend, and he was worried that I wasnt home. She didnt add that he was worried because (a) she apparently had no life and was never unaccounted for, and (b) she was out of salami.

Just happened to be driving by, eh? He smiled again and glanced none too subtlely at his watch.

All right. She wasnt exactly a girl who had it going on, that was for sure, but she definitely knew the international sign for this-is-so-over. She sighed, dropped the phone into her bag. Actually, he was in my house. I have a couple of friends who sort of come and go well, more come than go, actually. Sometimes they need a place to hang out. Or something to eat, she added with a roll of her eyes, and realizing, for the first time, maybe, how insane it was for an ex-boyfriend to have free run of her house. But its really all very platonic, and believe me, even if he was interested, I couldnt possibly be less interested, and I

Flynn put his hand on her arm, stopping her. Its quite all right, really, he said again. Like Ive told you, its not as if I expected you were living alone in a hovel just waiting for a chap like me to appear, he said with a charmingly lopsided smile. And its certainly not as if I Whatever he was about to say, he stopped there, looked briefly but strangely confused, then shook his head, as if to clear it.

But then again, he really didnt need to say anything, because it suddenly dawned on Rachel, and man, she was so stupid! All this time shed been so focused on making sure he knew she didnt have a boyfriend that it hadnt really occurred to her that he might be attached. Of course he was! A man like Flynn couldnt be unattached if he tried! What was amazing was that she hadnt thought of it before.

I see, she said, nodding and smiling as if this sort of thing happened to her all the time. Youre the one with the attachment.

Actually, Im the one who hasnt had a bit of sleep in days, really. Im quite knackered.

He didnt deny it. Great. Just great.

He picked up his trench and held it open for her. I think it would be best if we continued this conversation another time. Perhaps over dinner sometime soon.

Fabulous! He was going to dump her before hed ever really had her, all because Myron was stoned and wanted a salami sandwich and had opened up this can of worms.

Yeah, she said, and walked into the trench coat, let him put it around her shoulders again.

She leaned over to pick up her bag, but Flynn stopped her with a hand on her shoulder, forcing her around. Monday Im all booked up, and then there is the weaving class TuesdayIm really looking quite forward to it, you know. Ive come round to the whole weaving thing and am thinking of making Mum a little scarf or something fetching like that for Christmas. So would Wednesday be convenient for you? Ive heard of a quaint little place on Benefit Street, if youre free.

Rachel blinked. Are you kidding?

Kidding? he laughed. Why would I kid about such a thing? What, you thought Id be put off by the American competition? he asked, grinning. Absolutely not. I thought Id start with dinner, and if that doesnt work, Ill simply challenge him to a duel.

Rachel laughed, decided that she wouldnt be put off by the competition, either. At least not yet.

Flynn smiled fully, his blue-gray eyes warm. Is Wednesday good for you?

Wednesday is great, she said genuinely.

Smashing, he said, putting his hand on the small of her back and ushering her to the door.

They talked about the party as he drove her to her car. Flynn told her about Marlene and how hed driven her home and put her on her couch and left her snoring something fierce.

Youve made some impressive friends ill your short time here, she said. How did you meet Mr. Feizel?

I did some work for him.

Computer work?

Yes, right. Wheres your car? I dont see it.

Another block, she said, pointing ahead. But I thought you specialized in bank software.

Actually, we specialize in anything in which people are willing to pay us gobs of cash.

Rachel laughed at that as he pulled up next to her car. As she gathered her things, he grabbed the trench coat by the collar and pulled her across the car, kissed her once more with passion before getting out and coming around to her side to open her door.

She got out, handed him his coat. Wednesday, then. Youll promise to keep free, will you? he asked as he leaned forward to nuzzle her neck.

I will.

Ill ring you Monday to make sure you have.

She must have looked doubtful because he laughed and wrapped her in a big bear hug. I promise . You have my permission to cast a spell complete with the eye of the newt if I dont.

If you dont call me, I just might, she said laughingly, and let him give her one last kiss that was, she was certain, full of his promise.

WHEN she arrived home, Myron was on her couch, remote in hand, his feet encased in dirty socks on the coffee table, and the remains of some sort of sandwich on the. table next to his feet. Hey! he said brightly as she let herself in.

Rachel walked in, dropped her bag, and glared at Myron. What are you doing, Myron?

Watching a movie, he said cheerfully. The Matrix . Dude, it is so so unreal , he said with awe.

Stoned again. Is there a reason you are watching it here instead of your own place? she asked.

He thought about it for a moment. Not really. Just turned it on when I was eating a sandwich and kind of got caught up. He turned it off, tossed the remote aside, and looked at Rachel. Hey he said, as if he was noticing her for the first time. You look really hot tonight.

What was it about a skirt that was at least two sizes too small that made her look hot? She looked like a freaking sausage and she knew it. Thanks, she said, tossing aside her lavender shawl. But its time for you to go, Myron. I want to go to bed.

Hey, Rach, Myron said, coming to his feet. His corduroy pants, too big as usual, pooled at his ankles. Whats the matter? You seem really uptight.

Im not uptight, she lied, but had no idea how to put it. She was uptight. Restless. A malcontent. And actually, shed been uptight for weeks now and all the reasons why were starting to crystallize in her mind. Shed never really broken up with anyone before. Not that there was really anything to break up with Myron, but thats what she wanted to do, wasnt it? The whole scene was getting stale. I just wish you wouldnt call me in the middle of the night, she blurted.

Okay, he said, holding up his hands. That wasnt cool, I get it. But I really was worried, Rach. Its not like you go out, and shit , I didnt know you had some guy in the wings. That he said as if he somehow had a right to know.

So now you do, And you wont call me, right?

Yeah, he said. I get it.

Theres one other thing

Whats that?

She looked at Myron standing there, looking concerned and thoughtful and not too terribly stoned at the moment. But she wanted to tell him to quit eating her food, to quit dropping by unannounced and using her stuff. She wanted to tell him that they were through, that they really werent very good friends, were they? And that she didnt think she wanted to see him anymore. But he looked so vulnerable at the moment, and she considered that part of her feelings about him had to do with a raging case of PMSthis really was the first time these thoughts had broken the surface of her consciousness. Perhaps this wasnt the best time to tell him to get lost. Perhaps she just needed to get out of this skirt and go to bed.

What is it, Rachel? he asked, looking all worried now, as if he thought she had committed murder or something. You can tell me. Whatever it is, Ill help.

That really pissed her off because she really believed Myron meant just that. Whatever was ailing her, hed help if he could. The only problem was, he never could and she didnt want him to help her. She didnt want him hanging around. She didnt even want to talk to him at the moment.

Could you just maybe call before you drop by? she asked at last.

Myron looked taken aback. But he nodded after a moment. Sure, he said, and actually leaned down to pick up his plate. Ill just clean up a little and go.

Okay, she said.

Myron walked into the kitchen. She could hear him fumbling around in there as she tried to unfasten the hook on her skirt. When he emerged again, she was already on the stairs, waiting for him to leave.

Just one last thing. Wheres your phone? I programmed a couple of numbers I need.

She sighed, stepped off the stairs, and walked to where shed put her bag, dug around the junk inside and pulled out the phone. She handed it to Myron on her way back to the stairs. Will you please lock the door on your way out?

Yeah, sure, he muttered, punching the phone on. Rachel walked up the stairs and into her bedroom. A moment later, she heard the front door shut below her.

She peeled off her skirt, leaned up against the wall, seriously contemplated crying.

Damn PMS.

RACHEL tracked down Dagne after returning from the gym the next afternoon and told her they had to go shopping. Shed ridden fifteen miles on her stationary bike but was still feeling restless.

I thought you were broke, Dagne said.

I am broke. But I have a credit card and I made a hundred bucks last night, and I need something really, really hip to wear because I have a date.

Dagne gasped. Get out! she screeched over the phone. What happened?

Ill tell you when I pick you up, Rachel said, grinning.

Okay, give me a half hour. I could use something new to wear on my date with Glenn.

Glenn? I thought you were trying to get rid of Glenn!

I was. But he invited me to see a play, she said, as ü that explained everything. Ill see you in a half hour.

AN hour later, Rachel and Dagne were in a Hope Street boutique that Dagne said had the hippest clothes in town.

As they wandered through the racks and the shelves, Rachel told Dagne about the party, about Mike, and then Flynn showing up, and about the blonde, and giving Mike her number after the party was over, then freeing the cat (which Dagne got very excited about, insisting that freeing a sister would bring her good karma), and running into Flynn againliterally.

Ran into him, nothing. He came back for you, Dagne said with much assurance. Hes into you.

He didnt come back for me, Rachel laughed. But as she picked up a dark red velvet jacket and held it up to her body to check it out in the mirror, she wondered if he had.

Bullshit, of course he did. Try this, Dagne said, handing Rachel a cobalt blue dress that hit right above her knees.

God, this is gorgeous , Rachel said as she held it up to her body and looked at herself in the mirror.

Thats a great color on you, Dagne said as she wandered away. Try it on.

It was a great color for her, but firstRachel checked the tag and almost gagged when she saw the price of $450 dangling daintily from the sleeve.

She carefully hung it back on the rack.

So he comes back for you, takes you to his apartment, and then what? Dagne asked.

Rachel gave her a wink. He cleaned up the cat scratches, she said, showing Dagne the back of her hands. And then he kissed me.

And?

And it was fabulous.

So did you do it? Dagne squealed excitedly.

Rachels smile faded. No. She was still disappointed about that.

Damn it! Its that British thing, Im telling you! Dagne said with a disgusted shake of her head.

Wrong, girlfriend. He was very ready . Nothing happened because Myron called me on my cell.

Noway!

Oh yeah.

What is with that guy?

Hes an idiot, Rachel said, trying on a hat.

Never mind. When you go out this week, youll get lucky.

Rachel sighed, looked at the cobalt blue dress again. Yeah, I thought about that. The thing is I really like this guy, Dagne. He is so hot and hes funny, and hes nice, and hes got that fabulous accent but I dont think its really a good idea, Rachel said. Hes only here temporarily

Right, which is all the more reason to get you some, Dagne interjected. No strings attached. She picked up a sheer gold blouse and held it up to her.

All the more reason not to get involved at all, Rachel corrected her. I could really fall for this guy, so whats the point?

Okay. What if hes here for three months? Thats not so temporary. You could be missing a really great life experience. You know how I feel about life experiences

Yes, yes, Rachel said, cutting her off before she launched into her theory that life experiences carried over into your next life and gave you firmer footing in whatever you turned out to be. It was a sort of mystical theory that Rachel didnt fully understand, but she was not foolish enough to admit that because Dagne would want to make her understand.