I felt like the subject of my own social experiment. Maybe it was knowing I’d probably never see most of them again, but I wasn’t overthinking.
It hit me that Alex hadn’t texted since the wine bar, but I hadn’t texted him either. The realization somehow made me feel worldly in a way that I liked. Whether we went on another date or never saw each other again, I was proud of myself for stacking new experiences.
Amelia shepherded everyone into the “salon.” We settled onto a shag rug while we waited for the reading to start.
“So where were you before New York?” Christophe asked.
“In law school, in DC.”
“Did you have a boyfriend in law school?”
After two cocktails and two glasses of wine, I didn’t even flinch.
“I was in a relationship, yes.”
“Tell me about him.”
I looked at him curiously. “Is this how the French flirt?”
He shrugged. “I just think it’s an interesting way to get to know someone.”
“We were married,” I said. “Does that make me less one-dimensional?”
He laughed. “See? We’re getting to know each other.”
“You probably haven’t met many divorced women my age.”
He leaned in. “I don’t even know how old you are.”
“I’m thirty.”
“That’s a great age for a woman. It’s when you finally figure out what you want.Youfigured out you don’t want to be married. Bravo.”
“You sound like a therapist.”
He gave me a knowing look. “I like the idea of being inside your head.”
Amelia clinked her wine glass and thanked everyone for coming. “The wine will continue to flow, but we ask that you stay seated while someone is mid-poem,” she said with a subtle French accent.
Each poem was more lyrical than the last. The whole thing was like a masterful recital.
I felt Christophe nudge me as I reached for a third glass of wine.
“It’s 11:30. I promised you’d be home by midnight,” he whispered.
“Let’s stay.”
“As you wish.”
The reading finished just after midnight, and the apartment quickly emptied. We thanked Amelia for hosting, and I accepted Christophe’s arm as we walked outside.
“My apartment is on Astor Place. Do you want to come home with me?” he asked with a confidence that I found undeniably attractive.
“You don’t mess around.”
“I’ve enjoyed your company tonight.”
He held out his hand, and I took it.
