It's been years since I read L.J. Smith's works…so please review; and be kind.
This is from a dream I had the other night that has been stuck in my brain and just won't seem to leave me to my other thoughts. It will be a short one, so enjoy!
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As she walked into the restaurant, Elena realized just how tired she had felt. Leaving the kids at home with a babysitter had seemed like a frivolous expense at first, but she now knew exactly how much she needed just a few minutes away from them.
"Bartender, fuzzy navel, please."
She looked around as she took her drink over to one of the unbelievably high tables. I don't know why they ever came up with these things in the first place. Isn't it a little offensive to midgets? She chuckled to herself as she sipped her orange juice and peach schnapps, looking at the other people who were beginning to fill the room.
In the corner booth, a young man had been watching her since she crossed the threshold. He was no more than twenty-five years old; about average height, but with a lean look to his frame. He ran his hands through his wavy brown locks as he called the waitress over to his table.
A new drink appeared on Elena's tabletop. She hadn't ordered it. Before she could go about her business, Elena stopped the waitress to ask about the drink. The young girl pointed over to the booth in the corner, and at its occupants.
"Tell him no thanks."
The girl smiled and shook her head.
"No can do, miss. He said you would probably refuse it, but promised me a twenty dollar tip if I left it here. If I take it back, I don't get the tip."
Elena nodded, looking over at the man in the corner, who had raised his own glass in salute. It had been ages since she had gotten out of the house other than to go to work, and even longer since she had been propositioned in even the most remote way. He had distracted her from her surroundings, which wasn't always a good thing.
"You're not welcome here."
The voice came from a rather large, bald man who had come to stand next to her. He was huge. And the hatred that she could see in his eyes was probably not warranted.
"Excuse me, but I'm trying to finish my drink."
She took a sip of the new beverage. It was sweeter and smoother in contrast to her fuzzy navel. But as it coated the delicate skin of her esophagus, it left a sensation like liquid fire. Not unlike a sensation she had had once before, long ago.
"I said, you're not welcome here."
Elena realized that the man was still there. She didn't know what she had done to offend him, but that it might have something to do with her past, and not her present life.
"Is there a problem here?"
Great. Just great. The young man from the corner booth had come to put himself between her and uncle Fester's gargantuan twin. She caught the twinkle in his eye as he looked down at her, and then to the larger man.
"Do you have a quarrel with the lady?"
It was then that Elena picked up on the fact that he wasn't from around here, either. There was a soft lilt to his voice. Scottish? Irish perhaps? She couldn't completely pinpoint it. But she knew she wasn't going to stick around to find out.
"Excuse me. I must be going."
The ape man reached out to grab her by the arm, but the other grabbed her first and tucked her safely behind him. I can take care of myself, dammit. But she suddenly thought of her children, and that it might be a better idea to let him defend her. To both of their surprise, baldy took a step back before he turned around to leave. But he still managed to get another word in.
"She will be most displeased."
The younger man looked at her curiously as he stuck out his hand.
"Adrian O'Connell…at your service."
She shook his hand, but a sense of dread began to fall over her. Something was just not right about the situation that had just taken place. She had to get home to her children.
"Elena."
And she picked up her purse and jacket and left without another word.
TBC
