Sacrifice

It is amazing how time and experience can change a person within a period of three days. It took her boyfriend a day to move on to her best friend, a week for her to find out. That alone fundamentally changed her. The pain ripped through her raw and unwavering. Days later she went into premature labor. They had tried to stop it but was un successful, three days later she had her first child, a premature child who would need all of the love and nurturing he could get. Still, it wasn't up to her, she was merely a vessel, he had parents to care for him but she felt empty.

Her parents had advised her to see the baby but she couldn't, she wouldn't it would be hard to let him go. She already loved him and considered him hers. She needed to get away, when she was able she slipped out into the middle of the night. She almost stopped at the nursery just for a glimpse but she knew that if she had she could never walk away, she could never give him up.

She went back to the place she had called home, packed a few bags then headed with her car to an unknown destination. She had money saved up and figured she could get a job wherever she landed. She would come back but she needed space from it all. A week later she received the news that her son had died. She still couldn't go back.

1

She seemed to always be busy or in a corner with her nose in a book, he wondered how she retained any information through the noise. He had saw her when he came with friends to celebrate and she had immediately caught his attention, not because she tried but because of her presence. There was something about her. He wouldn't dare approach her, he was a screw up and disappointment to his legacy which was all the same because he wanted nothing to do with it anyway. There was something appealing about being self-made. His father wouldn't think so since his grandmother left him a handsome inheritance and he had gotten a lawyer to get it released to him on his 21st birthday versus his 25th. He had finished school early graduating from NYU with a degree in film. He was going to use some of his inheritance to fund his first film, a mockumentary called "Anti-Social".

She had to have been the most anti-social bartender he had ever seen. She must have been in need of money because he saw her working every possible job in the lounge from server to hostess but mostly she bartended. Guys tried to flirt but she shot them down with a deadpan look. It was a slow night, he was grateful, for one he would finally have a chance to talk to her.

Life was funny to Nicole, once she found out that her father was a liar and a cheat she changed her name to her mother's last name, DuPont. Zende and Sasha had tried reaching out to her once the truth came out. Several apologies from Zende, he had no idea. It had been four months she had left. She had enrolled in NYU's summer program and was taking courses to keep busy. She wasn't sure how she got in, she believed her sister had something to do with it. She had tried paying her tuition but was told it was paid. She asked them not to help but they had denied knowing anything about it. The university had told her that she had qualified for several grants which she didn't buy but she could not prove otherwise. So she went with it, she paid for books and boarding costs which in New York City was costly.

Nicole felt a shadow looming over her as she chopped limes for the bar. "I will be with you in just one second." She called without looking up. She quickly put the limes away. She looked up into the face of the handsome stranger she noticed watching her from time to time when he came in with his friends. She wanted to tell him to not even try it but she was working and had to be cordial to customers. She plastered a fake smile on her face.

"What are you having this evening?" He smiled at her blue eyes twinkling.

"I seem to like things that I cannot have. You are the only bartender I see around here so much. So since I am a regular I wanted to get your name." She laughed at that, it was lame.

"Most men want what they cannot have or desire what is forbidden not that it is exclusive to men. My regulars already have my name, now what can I get you to drink?" She was quick, he liked that but he could not help but notice that her smile never reached her eyes. There was an innocence about her that was probably more noticeable at one point. He wondered what dimmed the light in her eyes. He had been thinking intently forgetting to order and not realizing that he was staring. She had walked off to handle another customer.

Nicole walked back to the stranger, he seemed familiar but she couldn't place him. He looked like the type of guy who was probably used to women falling at their feet for him. He looked like the type of guy who left a trail of broken hearts or at the very least had a jar for his collection. Dating and love wasn't an option for her. She noticed a grin spread across his face when a customer called her name thanking her. She turned to smile at the customer with a nod of gratitude then turned back to her customer.

"Nicole, hmmm. Nicole suits you." He could see that she was getting impatient. "My name Ryan James." He extended his hand. Not wanting to appear rude to other patrons she took his hand then shook firmly.

"I tend to raise an eyebrow at a guy with two first names but that is just me. Are you going to order or just take in air?" He laughed at that letting go of her hand.

"I think that I will enjoy the view while I think about it." He winked at her and she rolled her eyes. A slender woman with red head approached, she was about 30 years of age. She smiled at Nicole.

"Whatever he is having you can put it on my tab Nicki." She turned toward him.

"My name is Lucy Shaw." She passed him her card as her eyes roamed over his frame. He was amused and a bit confused.

"Ryan James." He looked at the card, she was an agent. "I am sorry Lucy, I do not need an agent. I am not a model or actor." She frowned slightly.

"But you should be, I have been trying to convince this one to step from behind the bar to the front of the camera. In fact I bet you would take nice shots together. Do you know how many people would kill to work for my agency?" Nicole smirked.

"Do you know how many street kids have heard the words, 'I bet you would take nice shots together' and end up in porn when they are 18?" He snickered at that. Lucy looked at her.

"She has a mouth on her. I am not some sleaze, I am the real deal. Dirty Martini honey, extra dirty." Nicole just laughed at her then went to make her drink while she flirted with Ryan.