by Cee, DW
Seeing as how my baby sister turned all our moods around, I thought it wise not to say another word. I would play the chauffeur and apologize when my chance surfaced.
Like yesterday, Jenna stopped at the maître d’s table and asked the guy to call her a taxi. Lexie laughed at her and pulled her away.
“I came with Jason. I need a ride home.”
“We are your ride home, Jenna.”
Jenna’s hurt expression almost brought me to my knees, begging her for forgiveness. She was thinking about last night when I left her here alone.
“I’d feel more comfortable taking a taxi. Thank you for helping me.” Her smiled disappeared as did the arm that linked my sister’s. “Goodnight.” She walked away and I was helpless to do anything about it.
“Xander,” my sister urged. “Go after her. You can’t let her take a taxi home. What if she gets kidnapped or something?” I still couldn’t move. “Go!” she pushed me. “I’ll see you later,” were her last words before leaving me to fend for myself.
I stayed where Jenna had left me. Part of me didn’t want to realize that I’d made a careless error in judgement. The other part of me didn’t want to feel so much when this woman was in my presence. She’d eventually have to come back this way and I’d decide then what to do about us.
*******
“Could I ask you to call a taxi for me?” I knew what the man was thinking. How lame is this woman where no man wants to finish a meal with her or take her home? Truly, how lame was I? After tonight, I never, ever, wanted to see the inside of the Downtown Club ever again. Not only that, I’d burn this black dress to rid myself of all the bad luck.
“The taxi’s here, Ma’am.”
Dammit! I received the pity stare and I was a “Ma’am” at age twenty-one. This dress was definitely going up in flames tonight.
With a quick nod, I ran away from the maître d’s table. I didn’t give a shit what these people thought. I’d never have to see them again.
“Jenna.” Damn! This night somehow went from worse to worst! What had I done so wrong in my past life to deserve this? I was helping a friend last night. Being in this crazy scenario was not my doing. Truly. Enough was enough. I walked away. “Please. I want to apologize.”
For which sin would he apologize for—cutting off dinner? Making me catch a taxi by myself in the middle of the night? For calling me a whore? My blood pressure was rising. Thankfully, the taxi pulled up so I ran out the door as fast as I could.
Inches—I was inches away until a hand caught me in the arm and pulled me into his warm body. I didn’t want to be in his arms, cradled like a cherished woman, and yet I did. His chest was the most ideal place to lay my head.
“Xander. I don’t want to do this. I can’t do this.” My pleading fell on deaf ears.
He pulled out a Ben Franklin and thanked the taxi driver. As soon as the taxi driver understood what was happening, he peeled away before he had to give any of that unearned money back.
“Please, Jenna. Hear me out.”
What choice did I have?
