"We're women."
Just then, their drinks were served.
"Don't leave without giving me a number. Name is Barry." With a flash of white teeth, the bartender went back to serving.
"You know what your problem is?"
"I have a feeling you're going to tell me." Melanie tasted the drink, her eyes going wide. "This is actually very good."
"You're too picky."
"I have good reasons to be. I often make the mistake of picking losers."
"David's father was an asshole. And an exception."
"In high school, there was Billy. He dumped me when I refused to let him have sex with me."
"That was—"
"Then in college, I surrendered my prized virginity to Malcolm Blake, and he dumped me for a white girl."
"Okay, fine." Carrie conceded, irritation coloring her voice. "How about we stop rehashing the past and get our boogie on."
"Just let me finish my drink first and I'm not dancing with me wearing leather."
Her friend snorted. Downing the drink like water, she waited for Melanie to finish before dragging her onto the dance floor.
After the first half hour of awkwardness, Melanie began to relax. The music was too loud of course and the place too crowded, but she enjoyed the music and even danced with several men. When one of them started to grind himself against her, she pushed him away and went back to the bar to have a friendly chat with Barry, who turned out to be charming and not too bad.
"If you change your mind and I hope you do, come and find me. I would love to take you out." Barry's charming smile flashed and brought out an answering one from her. They both looked over at Carrie, who was dancing up a storm with one of the guys wearing leather.
"I won't."
"I guess you're looking for Mr. Right." He had a moment to regret as he expertly sliced olives for a margarita.
"Just not looking." She lied. "I have a son to think about."
"I have two myself." He shrugged when she gazed at him. "Bad breakup with the ex-baby mama."
"How bad?"
"Real bad." Barry grinned as he slid the drink to the patron. "She objected to being compared to a slut. Don't worry, she deserved the name. Caught her in bed with my best friend. I beat the crap out of him and told her to take a long hike. She tried to hose me for more child support than was required. When I refused to pay up, she took me to court."
"What happened?"
"The judge denied it." He shrugged again. "Broke my heart in two. Really cared for that girl."
"So now you're trying to replace her." Melanie surmised.
"No, my lovely Melanie with the dimples, you've captured my heart. When you leave here, I will be pining. Until I see you again of course."
"Of course." She laughed. "I really like you."
"I really like you too. We could have a good thing going."
"I don't doubt that. Why don't we settle for friendship instead?"
His grimace was so comical, it made her laugh. "You're breaking my heart, pretty lady."
