Page 5 of Wish You Weren't Here
‘Wow, we really are short-staffed if Jennifer is the one interviewing you,’ I say, half-joking. ‘How did it go?’
He shrugs, but there’s a hopeful something in his eyes.
‘I’m not sure. I guess we’ll see.’
‘Oh, you’re not one of those optimists, are you?’ I reply. I can’t help but smile at his sunny outlook. ‘You must be, to think you can give a girl a good date on Valentine’s Day at the last minute. Surely everywhere good is booked up, and everywhere else is rammed?’
‘That’s where you’re wrong,’ he replies. Oh, I can see the mischief all over his face. ‘Did you ever see that movie,Yes Man?’
‘No,’ I admit, though I can’t help but smile at the irony.
‘Well, that’s what we’re going to do tonight,’ he explains. ‘Anything anyone asks us, offers us – anything – we’re going to say yes.’
I narrow my eyes at him, trying to figure out his angle.
‘Is this some kind of loophole to get me into bed?’ I check. ‘You ask and I have to say yes?’
He chuckles, shaking his head.
‘It isn’t. In fact, let’s say that’s the only question where we can say “no” to each other,’ he clarifies. ‘And it goes both ways – don’t think I haven’t seen you undressing me with your eyes.’
I burst out laughing.
‘Okay, let’s do it.’
As we finally reach the front of the bar, Ethan drums with his hands on the bar top enthusiastically.
‘What do you recommend?’ Ethan asks him. ‘Whatever it is, we want two of them.’
The barman rubs his chin.
‘You two look like you can drink,’ he points out. ‘Is that right?’
‘Yes,’ Ethan replies, kicking things off.
I can, so that’s fine.
‘How about a couple of our Zombies?’ the barman replies. ‘Strongest in the city, here.’
‘Yes,’ Ethan says. ‘We’ll take two.’
‘What, two each?’ the barman replies.
I don’t think that’s what Ethan meant but he looks to me with a smile.
‘Yes,’ I say, my voice a little unsure.
‘Yes,’ Ethan says, echoing me.
‘Yes!’ I say again, laughing this time.
The barman raises an eyebrow, but he doesn’t question it. He sets about mixing our drinks, and I can’t help but watch Ethan out of the corner of my eye. There’s something about him – his confidence, the way he carries himself – that’s different from the other guys I’ve been out on dates with. It’s like he knows exactly who he is and what he wants, and he’s not afraid to go after it.
‘Okay, we need somewhere to sit, if we’re drinking two of these,’ Ethan says, scanning the crowded bar.
As if on cue, a man standing nearby overhears us and leans in.
‘We’re just popping out for a smoke,’ he says, nodding toward the group of guys he’s with. ‘You can have our table while we’re gone, if you want. Save it for us, what do you reckon?’
