I head out the door before I drive myself crazy. Walking on the street feels good. When I get to the restaurant, Brian is already seated at the bar, nibbling on Marcona almonds and sipping something that looks expensive.
“Hey, buddy. I ordered some apps,” he says. “Have a seat. Whaddya want to drink?” He motions for the female bartender to come over. She looks pissed, but I know she’s not, it’s just part of the style here.
“Can I just get a vodka soda?” I say to the bartender.
She stares at me for too long.
“They don’t have vodka here,” Brian says.
“Why?” I say directly to the girl.
“Because we only serve food and liquor that tastes good.” She will not crack a smile.
“Oh, okay. Why don’t you make me your specialty, then?” I say.
“Great,” she hums a vague tune as she turns around and gets to work.
“Don’t be intimidated,” Brian says.
“Me? I’m not. I just think this whole act is stupid.”
“Try to enjoy yourself.” Brian is looking past me in shock as he says, “Holy shit.”
“What?” I turn to see what he’s staring at. There’s a group of five people mulling around the hostess stand.
“That woman. She goes to my gym. She’s Puerto Rican. She’s so hot. Her name is Valeria. I can’t believe she’s here. I asked her out a few weeks ago. She said yes and then stood me up.”
Brian is an average-looking dude, but he seems to be a successful serial dater, so I’m surprised. I don’t think he gets stood up very often.
Valeria spots Brian and then looks at me and smiles. She holds one finger up, gesturing she’ll be over in a minute to talk to us. She’s speaking with a distinguished-looking older man, but she seems distracted. She is a striking beauty; I can see why Brian would want to date her.
Brian says, “Good, she’s coming over. I can give her a little piece of my mind.”
We wait for what seems like forever. I put in an order for an overpriced, fancy cheeseburger and slug my second twenty-five-dollar cocktail while Brian silently watches Valeria chatting.
Finally, she makes her way to us. She really is gorgeous. A dead ringer for Rosario Dawson.
“Brian, hi.” He doesn’t get up, so she leans down and gives him an awkward hug. She turns to me and sticks her hand out. “Hi, I’m Valeria.”
I shake her hand. “Alex. Nice to meet you.”
Brian is giving her the death stare. Completely deadpan hesays, “Would you like a drink, Valeria? How ’bout a pint ofthanks for the phone call?”
I nearly spit out my gin-absinthe concoction. I’m laughing while Valeria is smiling apologetically toward Brian.
“I am sorry, Brian. I was going to text you. Something came up at work and I’ve been slammed for the last few weeks. This is the first time I’ve been out in a long time.”
“The last few weeks? What are you, an astronaut? You work for the Secret Service? KGB? What could it possibly be?” he says, chuckling.
“I’m actually a pediatric oncologist. Those are some of my colleagues over there.” That definitely silenced the room, so to speak.
“Oh,” Brian says. “Kids with…”
She nods. “Cancer. Yes, Brian, I am a doctor for kids with cancer.”
“Ah, I see,” he says.
“Gin?” I hand her my drink, which was served in a crystal pink antique glass. I’m surprised she takes it. It was sort of a joke.
