Page 19 of More Than a Fling

“Let’s see what you’ve got.”

No one else was playing so they put their quarters in and Annie racked the balls.

“Should we flip to see who breaks?” she asked.

“Sure, I call heads.” He pulled out a quarter and tossed it in the air, catching it to slap onto the back of his hand. He kept his palm covering it as he grinned at her, “Well what do you think it’s going to be?”

“Tails of course,” she grabbed at his hand trying to see who won.

“Drum roll please…” he slowly lifted his hand to reveal the head of George Washington. “And hescores!” Gabe said, laughing at Annie’s glare.

“Alright, tough guy, go ahead and shoot.”

Gabe chalked up his cue stick and lined it up with the cue ball for his first shot. Annie watched his face, so serious in concentration, the way a stray lock of hair curled against his forehead, his sexy light stubble from skipping a shave, his broad shoulders and strong arms, even his hands were seductive. He pulled his elbow back and took his shot, the loud crack sending the balls flying in all directions with several going into the pockets.

“Not bad,” Annie said. “You got two of each, which are you calling?”

“I’ll call stripes,” he said, after studying the table carefully.

He sank two more before a miscalculated bank shot cost him his turn.

Annie stepped up to the table and took aim, sinking three herself before missing. “I’ve got to go to the lady’s room, I’ll be right back,” Annie said.

“Ready for another beer?”

“Sure.”

Annie grabbed her clutch and went to find the restroom. It was about as big as a closet and the door didn’t securely latch, but there was loads of graffiti in bathroom stalls and she loved reading it. She always had the urge to add something profound herself. Sometimes there were some really great poems and bits of wisdom alongside of the phone numbers and hearts with initials.

She washed her hands and pushed the dryer button which produced about enough air to move a speck of dust, maybe. Giving up she dried them on her pant legs and stepped back out.

As she looked around for Gabe, she saw that he was still standing at the bar in conversation with some hot brunette. She felt a pang of jealousy which she tamped down. Returning to the pool table she sat on a stool to wait. The girl was practically hanging on Gabe, flirting outrageously. Gabe didn’t seem to mind, apparent as he stood there laughing at something she had just said.

He glanced over and saw Annie waiting and returned with their beers. “It’s your turn,” he said.

“Okay.” She took aim, missing an easy shot.

“Woo hoo!” Gabe said, grinning.

When she didn’t return his smile he said, “Is something wrong?”

“No.”

“Are you sure, ’cause it sure seems like it.”

“Just take your shot.”

“Could this have anything to do with the girl I was just talking to?”

“Look Gabe, you don’t owe me anything. It’s not like we’re in a committed relationship,” she said.

“No, but I am on a date with you, and you’re the only one that matters. She is just a fan of the band. That’s all. It’s part of the job. I don’t even know her name.”

“You don’t need to explain,” she said.

Gabe leaned his pool stick against the wall and pulled Annie into his arms.

“Apparently I do,” he said as he lowered his head to kiss her. Lifting his lips but keeping them so close she could feel his breath he said, “You are all I think about. There is no one else. You’ve cast a spell on me.”

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