Calah
We’re standing in the elevator now but I’m not sure what to say to Midge, hopefully this ‘pre-game’ will start to work soon.
“Calah, are you single?”
“Oh yes, very single,” I sound more eager than I want to.
“So tonight is a party, right?”
“Of course, I feel like nothing can touch me right now,” woo, there’s that pregame.
“Except for someone super hot…?”
“I guess you’re right, I guess I’ve just never…” I let my words trail off unsure of what to say.
“You’ve never let go? Let me tell you, I was like you but letting go feels so good.”
“Really?”
“Yes, it’s your body’s way of equalizing everything, the cure-all for everything is sex. Have lots of it and especially with these Spanish men.”
“What do you mean?”
“I haven’t met anyone here yet but in other countries…” The elevator doors open and Midge grabs my hand and pulls you along to the hotel bar.
I guess I don’t get to know what she was going to say, but she was right about this bar, it’s hopping, there are people everywhere. I let my eyes rove over the room, it’s easy to see that there are tons of gorgeous people.
“What are you having?” Midge says as she props herself up at the bar.
“What do you suggest?” I ask, even though this got me in trouble the last time I did it.
I figure as long as she doesn’t try to make me drink Cristal it’ll be okay but then she says, “Sex on the beach.”
I cover my mouth and giggle like a school girl, I didn’t know you could just order that up at the bar but she just orders two from the bartender.
“Oh my gosh, that’s a drink? I thought you were being cheeky my dear,” I laugh with pink cheeks.
“Calah, you have to get out more, sex on the beach can be fun, but sometimes the sand is problematic,” she giggles lightheartedly, and the bartender sets two glasses on the bar in front of us. “Here, try it,” she insists.
The cocktail is light orange and smells fruity; I take a sip and get notes of peach and orange and only a slight burn of alcohol.
“Wow, it’s delicious,” I beam.
“Good, now we dance,” she grabs my hand and pulls me toward the dance floor. “Wait, grab your drink, don’t ever leave your drink where you can’t see it.”
“Alright…” I say but I’m so confused.
I pick up the glass and then follow her to the dance floor. Once she finds a spot that is to her liking she expertly swirls her hips while she cradles the drink in her hand.
“You’re going to think I’m strange, but why do you dance with your drink?”
“Well, that way you can make sure no one ever spikes your drink with something.”
“Oh, like on 20/20?”
“Calah, do you go out? Where do you live?” she asks, slightly shocked.
“California but I don’t go out often, I’m kind of a homebody.”
“Well yes, like on 20/20 but it happens more than you think and you have to be careful. Especially in a foreign country because we don’t know anything about this place.”
“You’re right, I’m so naive,” I half pout.
“You’re just sweet Calah, I think you are probably a lot smarter than you give yourself credit for, not many people hold an executive position at your age.”
“Thank you my dear, but tonight we party, tomorrow we work right?”
“Right!” she jumps up and down two times on her heels and manages not to spill any of her drink, I’m impressed but then she squeals, “Ooooh look at him…”
I turn to where Midge is looking and there is a tall handsome guy in a suit standing with a few other people, they look unapproachable.
“He’s handsome.”
“Girl! He’s hot, that’s exactly what I’m looking for tonight,” she gives me a big toothy smile so I’m not going to rain on her parade.
“So what will you do?”
“Go talk to him,” she says like it’s simple.
“Do you speak Spanish?”
“No, if he doesn’t understand me there is always body language. Come with me, he’s got some friends.”
“Oh, I’m not sure if I’m ready my dear, you should go have your fun maybe I’ll find you later.”
“Don’t leave Calah, stay out, go sit at the bar, people watch but don’t leave, you should try to have fun,” she insists.
“Right, that’s what I’ll do, thank you for bringing me out tonight I hope you find everything you’re looking for.”
“A girl can dream girl! Have fun,” she wanders off toward the man in the corner.
Well, I suppose I should head back to the bar then. Midge is right even if I’m not ready to socialize I should sit down here and absorb the culture for a while.
I walk back to the bar and find a seat where I can see most of the space and work on my drink. It seems like there are mostly resort guests here, they could be from anywhere. Just where I’m sitting I can hear people speaking Spanish and a different language too, maybe German. Going international is even bigger than I had imagined. There are tons of people not only from Spain but from other countries that travel here too. Would we stock the shop in English or Spanish? Maybe dual signage? I realize at that moment I’ve sucked my drink down. I’m supposed to be absorbing the culture but now all I can think about is work.
I scan the room for something interesting and set my sights on a handsome man standing at the other side of the bar. He is gorgeous, his hair is shoulder-length and brushed back but slightly untamed, his jaw is chiseled, and his shoulders are broad. For a brief minute, I try to imagine a situation in which I felt brave enough to approach him. What could I possibly say that would be interesting to a man like that? What would Ellamay do? She would say yes, but there is nothing to say yes to yet.
I force myself to look away from the debonair stranger at the end of the bar and scan the room again until I feel a hand on my shoulder. When I whirl around I quickly see that it’s Midge.
"Hey, I just wanted to make sure you were okay?" she says.
"I’m just fine my dear."
"I feel bad, I made you come out, and then I saw an eleven and lost my mind."
"An eleven?"
"That hot guy, anyway if you want to hang out more and have a girl’s night I wanted you to know I’m here."
"Oh, things didn’t work out with your eleven?"
"Oh, they did sweetheart, I could have him if I wanted him but you know sisters before misters," she giggles.
"You’re sweet, and thank you for checking on me but you should go have fun with your mister, I am still a little jet-lagged and might head upstairs soon anyway."
"Okay, only if you’re sure."
"Go on my dear, have fun, I’ll see you tomorrow."
"I’ll pick you up at eight," she smiles wide as she steps back into the crowd and heads back to her love interest.
