The drinks were flowing, and nobody was feeling much pain. Sue was obviously buzzed, in her party, flirting mood. I liked that. It almost always meant hot sex. I loved that. She was amazing.
“You ever sorry you gave up the old life?” Mark asked.
“Rarely,” I told him. “You know most of the guys didn’t last more than a year. I had a five year run. Only six guys stuck it out longer. More than enough for any man.”
“Five years,” Dale said. “Damn! So the humdrum beach life suits you now?”
“Perfectly. Sun, sand, good friends, and the best woman a man could ask for,” I told him.
Sue grinned. “Best woman? Where is she? I’ll tear her eyes out.”
“Silly girl. You’re the only woman for me. You remember that first barbecue? Picking you up for the first time?”
“Of course. Best. Day. Ever.”
“No playing around on the side. You warned me then. You’ll never have to worry about me. I’m a one woman man, just like you’re a one man woman.”
I was a little surprised when she dropped her glass. She apologized, and got up for a dishrag. She returned and cleaned up her mess, then came over to where I was sitting. She looked upset.
“What’s wrong, beautiful? It’s just a little mess.”
She sat in my lap. “I am, you know. A one man woman. I love you. Only you. Nobody else means anything to me. You know that, right?”
“Of course! You’re mine, and I’m yours. Everyone knows that.” I looked around the table. “Right?”
They were looking at me funny. “Of course. Everyone knows that,” Mark said eagerly.
Dale was nodding like a bobble doll. “Only yours.”
I hugged her, and I could feel her trembling. “You feeling alright?”
She nodded. “Only you, Trey. I swear! You gotta believe me!”
“I know. Relax. Let’s just enjoy ourselves Ok?”
She gave me a quick kiss, then ran back indoors again. The woman had a bladder the size of a shot glass.
* * * Then * * *
I’ll admit it. I had a better time at the 4th of July party than I thought I would. I stopped drinking after Mark’s second beer, switching to soft drinks. When you drive a convertible sports car, you’re a target for trouble. I wasn’t about to get behind the wheel drunk.
Sue noticed after a while. “No more beer?”
“Can’t afford it. I’ve already got a target the size of New Jersey on my back. Don’t want to leave here drunk.”
She nodded. “I understand. It must be difficult.”
“Hardly. I like to be in control anyway.” She was clinging to my arm again, and I pulled her around facing me. “Thanks for getting me to go out. I’m out of practice around crowds. I’m not making an idiot of myself, am I?”
“No! Never.” She grinned. “Can I consider the first date a success?”
“Absolutely. I’m having a great time.”
She moved in for a kiss. A real toe-curler. “Want to take me out for ice-cream after?”
“I’d love to.”
“Great. That can be our second date.”
I laughed. “Second date?”
“I never fool around before the third,” she teased.
“Never?”
“Not even for you, Mystery,” she gave me a quick peck. “Although it’s tempting as hell.” She grabbed my hand. “C’mon. Time to say our goodbyes.”
We made the rounds, and I got more hugs than I would have expected, and lots of invitations to more activities. Sue was fielding those.
She liked Baskin-Robbins World Class Chocolate, and butter pecan. I went for a simple chocolate shake, made with French vanilla and chocolate syrup.
“Am I going to have to call you?” she asked.
“For?”
“You know. You had a good time today, didn’t you?”
“A great time.”
“You like me?”
“I think you’re pretty terrific, actually.”
“So you’ll call? You won’t make me do all the chasing?”
“I’ll call.”
“When?”
I laughed. “We’re still on our second date,” I told her. “A little patience, alright? This is all pretty new to me.”
“You’re not going to call Diane or Erin, are you? I saw Diane put her number in your pocket. Don’t try to pretend she didn’t. Why didn’t you just tell her no? Aren’t I good enough? Three dates isn’t too long is it?” She looked sincerely upset.
“I’m not going to call Diane or Erin,” I told her.
“Or any of those others ones either! Marie’s married. She was only flirting. Don’t… don’t mess up her marriage, Trey. Mark’s a nice guy. He even gave you two of his beers, he never does that. You don’t do that, do you? Break up marriages for fun?”
“Nobody but you, Sue. I’m not going to call anyone but you.”
“Promise?”
“I promise. I’m a one woman man, just like you’re a one man woman.”
“Am I that woman, Trey?”
God, she was a fast mover. I’d never met anyone like her. I looked her over. She was beautiful, easily the best looking woman out there today. Filled out her bikini fabulously. Easy to talk to. Maybe a little nutty, but nothing horrible. What the hell did she see in a nobody like me?
I saw her squirming under my gaze.
“I… I’ll treat you well, Trey. I swear. You’ll never regret it. Better than any of them.”
“Am I your man?” I asked.
“Yes! If you’ll have me.”
“Then I guess you’re my woman. It wouldn’t work out very well otherwise, would it?”
She laughed, and grabbed my hands. “Take me home, Trey?”
“Sure.”
At the door, she gave me that kiss she promised. Best kiss I ever had, but that wasn’t saying all that much. Still, I couldn’t imagine they get much better. I was achingly hard when we separated.
“I had a great first two dates, Trey. Thank you.” She gave me another quick kiss, then left me.
I walked back to my car, and before I hit the end of the block, I dialed her number.
“Hello?” she answered after three rings.
“Hi Sue. It’s me. I had a great time today.”
“Did you forget something? Is something wrong?”
“No. I promised I’d call. What are you doing next Friday?”
She was quiet for a few seconds. “Could you come back for a minute?”
“Sure, I’m only a few blocks away.”
“Great. I’ll meet you downstairs.”