Page 31 of February

“That’s a pretty name,” Monica said as she shook it.

“Thank you.”

“Monica,” she offered her own name in response.

“What are you drinking, Monica?”

“Gin,” she replied.

“Can I get another for her and one for me as well?” Amina asked the bartender.

He nodded and got to work.

“So, I hate to ask this, but are you from around here? I promise, it’s not a line.” Amina chuckled.

She was an attractive woman with long, near-black hair that was in a single braid down her back. Her eyes were brown, and she wore black-rimmed glasses over them. She looked to be about Monica’s age, maybe a little older, but not by much.

“No, I’m from New York,” she said.

“New York? You’re far from home.”

“I am, yes.” Monica laughed this time.

Her drink was placed in front of her, and she waited until Amina had hers as well before they both lifted them and took their first sips.

“Are you from here?” she asked.

“I am. I moved here from Austin about three years ago.”

“Austin? I love Austin.”

“So did I, but my girlfriend got a job here, so we relocated.”

“Ah,” Monica said.

She’d assumed this woman had been flirting with her, but apparently, she’d been incorrect. Maybe this was just that Southern hospitality she’d heard so much about. It was confusing, and Monica wasn’t sure she liked it, given the context.

“We broke up about a year ago,” Amina added. “And I thought about moving back home, but I fell in love with this place, so I decided to stay.”

“I see,” Monica replied, feeling like she was back in the game.

‘What game?’She thought to herself. She hadn’t sat at a bar and flirted with a woman since she’d been dating her ex-wife.

“So, what are you in town for?” Amina asked her.

“Business,” she said. “My company might be buying another company.”

“Wow. Sounds intense,” Amina said before she took another drink.

Monica leaned over a bit to get closer to Amina, giving her what she hoped was a signal that meant that if Amina was flirting, Monica was flirting back. Then, Monica’s eyes went back to the screen and caught sight of yet another woman joining the booth. Bridgette stood and moved to the other side of the table, giving the new woman a chance to sit next to Bridgette’s original companion. When the new woman and the companion kissed, Monica’s eyebrows lifted. Bridgette turned away from them for a second, and Monica watched as her head tilted up again. So, the companion wasn’t with Bridgette, after all. This new woman wrapped an arm around the other one, and her hand didn’t just remain on the booth. It went on the companion’s shoulders while the companion rested her head against the new woman’s chest.

“How long are you in town for?” Amina asked.

“Uh… I don’t know.” Monica peeled her eyes away from the screen, turning back to the woman next to her.

“Well, if you’re interested, there’s a great show tonight at a place near here. I doubt it’s sold out, if you want to listen to some good music.”

“I would, but I have work early in the morning.”

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