Page 28 of Cash

James: No you’re not. You’re perfect and it’s his loss. Did you eat yet?

Livi: No. I’m finishing my drink and leaving.

James: Stay put. Be there in 30.

Livi: Thanks but don’t bother. I’m going home to eat ice cream drowning in rum.

James: Stay put and that’s an order.

Livi: Kk. Love you

James: Love you too. Cys.

I feel so stupid sitting here alone in a restaurant filled with couples. To make it worse, there’s already been a woman screeching in joy over being proposed to. And here I sit at the bar, obviously still waiting for someone. A someone who didn’t think I was worthy enough for him to show up for. Even the bartender is giving me sympathetic looks that make him run the risk of getting nut-punched. Not because he’s doing anything all that terrible, but because he’s of the male species, and I’m on a man-hating bent at the moment. Picking up my third drink, I down it in one go. I no more than set my empty glass down and the bartender is sliding another in front of me. Again, with the slight frown and sorrowful look. Gah!

“Would you like me to order you some food, Miss?” Mr. Bartender asks politely.

“No, thank you. My friend will be here soon.”

“It’s none of my business, but you’ve been here a while now, Miss. I hate to say this, but I don’t think your friend’s going to show. You might want to eat something or maybe let me call for an Uber.”

“Thank you for your concern, but he’ll be here soon.”

“Okay. Let me know if you change your mind.”

I nurse my drink, and it’s not long before I see a familiar face walking my direction. No, it’s not the Viking God that’s supposed to be here; it’s James. Dressed in a well-fitting black suit, electric blue shirt and black tie, he looks great. As I do numerous times a week, I think how lucky I am to have this man in my life.

As he reaches my side, he bends slightly and drops a kiss on my cheek. Pulling back, James holds his crooked arm toward me as I smile gratefully up at him. Taking his arm, we follow the hostess to our table. After we’re both seated, James reaches for my hand and holds it between both of his.

“Viking God is dead to us. You deserve so much more than a guy who isn’t smart enough to know how fortunate he was to get a shot at someone like you. I got you, Livi. I always will,” James tells me in a low, quiet voice.

“You didn’t have to show up here, James. I could’ve—”

“Yes, I did. Because that’s who we are to each other. Partners at work, partners in life. Me and you, the two amigos. You’d do it for me, and we both know it.”

“Have I told you this week that I love you?” I ask with a hitch in my voice.

“Yes, several times. Love you too, Livi. Since you’re dressed for a date, you’re getting one. Let’s enjoy the Viking Dick’s reservation, order dinner and then paint the town.”

*~*~*~*

I would love to push Snots out of my face, but I know if I move, I’m going to be sick. His doggie breath’s almost doing the trick, but I think it’s the lesser of two evils right now. I should’ve listened to James before indulging in the last two drinks. James is wise, and I’ll tell him that when I can pry my mouth open.

My brain screams in protest when a stream of bright sunlight assaults my senses. I risk my stomach contents to pull a pillow over my eyes and breathe a sigh of relief at dimming the light. Damn James and his insistence that sunlight fixes all problems.

“There are water and ibuprofen on the nightstand. I let Snots out already, so you can relax until you’re feeling better. I need to leave, but I’ll call later to check on you,” James informs me while using his indoor voice.

“Thank you,” I rasp out.

“Do you remember anything about the Viking Dick?”

“Who?”

“That’s my girl. Mission accomplished. Chat later,” James says before I hear him leaving my room.

After a few minutes of questioning our methods of causing amnesia, I lean up enough to down the water and pills. Laying back down, I pull Snots to me and spoon my chubby dog. It doesn’t take long before his snores lull me back to sleep.

*~*~*~*

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