“Give ush shome more wine, Shweety” Shay slurred.  She was sloshed again.  After every night out with her, I remind myself in the morning to leave her at home the next time.  You can dress her up but can’t take her anywhere. She grabbed our young waiter’s behind (A lovely one I might add) and squeezed.  The poor guy couldn’t get away fast enough.

“Let go of the boy, you tart” Hadley hissed.  “Bloody hell! You always make a fool of yourself” and she takes a big gulp of wine.

“Oh sod off, Hadley.  I’m jusht havin a bit of fun with the young” Shay replied oblivious to the fact that she was jarred.

“Excuse me!” I interrupted them “aren’t we supposed to be talking about my problem?”

“Alright then. Talk to Aunty Agony” Hadley sarcastically said and folded her arms. 

I told them what happened at lunch with Landon and shared my insecurities.  Shay was winking at a man sitting with his wife and Hadley was inspecting her nails.  Some friends.

“Well,” Hadley said without looking up “I suppose it really was a one night stand and therefore suggest that you GET OVER IT! The guy obviously used you and he’s never going to call you.  If you keep on moping like this, you’re gonna be forty with ten cats and living alone.”

“But I can’t” I wailed “This connection we had was…was unbelievable.  I can’t just forget about him.  I don’t think I’ll ever feel like this again” I said close to tears.  What was wrong with me? I was crying about a guy I hardly knew.

“Weren’t you a bit on the drunken shide” Shay butted in. “when you did the horischontal loola?”

“So?”

“Well, how do know you had thish connecthion with him?” she said.  Why am I always stuck with the drunken friends?

“Shay, zip it and finish your drink” Hadley mothered her and looked at me “Honey, I hate to be insensitive but it’s not gonna happen.  You’ll probably never see him again.”

“Hello! Man at two ‘o clock!” Shay slurred and almost fell of the barstool.

Mechanically we all turned to where she was pointing and took in the man-candy. He was wearing stunning jeans and a skin tight blue shirt.  His curly black hair framed his face and his dark eyes were the kind that could look into your soul.  I blame it on the wine I consumed the past two hours.  It took me a while to recognise him. 

“It’s him!” I hissed in my friend’s direction. “It’s Landon.”

“Oh come on! Hesh taken?” Shay slapped her forehead and I vowed to take the bottle away from the drunken lady.

I started sweating and breathing like an asthmatic person.  What the hell now? Was I supposed to go say hi or hide behind the hideous bar plant? 

“Well, not lookin like your gonna claim your piecsh so I’ll go. Okay?” Shay said and started teetering towards Landon. Like a Mommy Cat protecting her kittens, I flew up and forcefully pulled Shay back.  Piss off!  I wanted to yell but she was my friend so it would be politically incorrect to do so. 

“Why don’t you go with me and I’ll introduce you to his nice looking friend” I said instead.

“Okay” she said without pausing for a minute.  Tart.

We walked toward Landon’s group and my heart was beating in my chest.  What if he didn’t recognise me? Now that would be extremely embarrassing.

I stuck out my hand and tapped him on the shoulder.  Landon spun around and when he saw me, he gave me his super-charged smile.

“Babes! Man it’s good to see you.” He said and gave me a hug.

“It’s nice to see you too, stranger.” I replied putting emphasis on stranger. 

“Yeah, I meant to call but it was so hectic at work and stuff.” Yeah right.  Hectic being a cage fighter.  He was so busy being beaten up that he couldn’t call. He must think I’m an airhead.

“Of course” I said “I’ve been busy too.” Busy wondering what happened to you. Jackass.

He introduced us to his buddies and Shay grabbed one guy’s arm and led him to the dance floor.

Landon smiled. “Can I buy you a drink?”

“Thanks. I’ll have a Cosmo please.”

We walked to the bar and Landon got our drinks.  We sat down and sipped our drinks.

“How’ve you been?” I asked. I’m so good at making conversation.  NOT.

“As I said, hectic at work but otherwise fine.  I’ve been missing you.”

“Really?” I asked. My stomach did flips and I started to blush. “Me too.”

“More than anything else.” He whispered and started kissing my neck. Goosebumps appeared and I almost dropped my drink.  My head started to spin and it wasn’t the result of alcohol. 

Landon’s hands started to wonder and it took me a few minutes before I stopped him.

“Not here” I whispered. I was cheap but I wasn’t for free. 

Landon got up and once again, walked me to his car where we would once again end up in his apartment. 

Oh my.