She felt like she was walking on air. It had been like that for days, ever since her night at the club with her friends. Finally, she felt alive. She felt free and excited and like she could breathe. Drinking wasn't an issue, she didn't need it. Her pills were left at home in her cabinet, she was high on life. Life was beginning, and she felt as if she had things to look forward to.
"Wow, someone is giddy." Grace smiled from the couch as Karen entered Will's apartment. Another night of poker, another night of hoping Will didn't notice her glances toward him, her staring. She just couldn't help it. He had taken on a new light in her eyes, and he was suddenly so very attractive. In moments where her rational mind took over, she realized that her actions were juvenile and foolish, but her playfulness took over and all she could do was imagine his lips upon hers.
She recalled that it almost happened, once. Sure, she had kissed him before, a friendly peck here and there, but the time in her manse was different. They were so serious and almost connected if it hadn't been for the ringing of the phone. She only wished she had the courage to try it again. If only they were in the same sort of situation again.
"Just a good day, honey. How are things?" She sat next to the redhead and smiled, leaning forward and pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. "Is that cherry lip gloss?"
"Yes, and I'm fine, thanks." She tossed her magazine on the coffee table and turned to face her friend. "So, guess what. I have this client who I think you would really like. You two would make such a great couple, and I want to set you up."
"Oh, honey, I don't need help in the dating department." She scoffed and walked to the kitchen for a bottle of water. "Besides, I hate blind dates. There's nothing worse than pretending a complete stranger is interesting."
"But he isn't a complete stranger." Grace followed, giving her a strange look when she realized she was drinking water and not alcohol. "It's Steve."
"My ex-husband?" She began to laugh at what was obviously a joke.
"Why not? You two have really great chemistry together. And you obviously are still attracted to him. I mean, you just slept with him not too long ago."
"Honey, you don't have to be attracted to someone to sleep with them. You should know that better than me." She took a seat at the table and began eating some of the grapes from the center bowl. It was funny that her idea of attraction and Grace's was so completely different.
"Excuse me? Did you just imply that I'm a slut?" Grace joined her at the table, unsure whether or not she should be upset by the insinuation or amused.
"Well, Grace, once you get higher into the double digits in sex partners, I'd say that pretty much means you could be a slut. Depending on the circumstances, of course. You couldn't have possibly had a relationship with all of those men."
"You know, I'm just going to file that in the Karen compartment of my brain and forget about it." She smiled as Will and Jack entered the room with some takeout containers.
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"Oh, Karen, could you stay for a minute? I have a couple of papers that need your signature." She nodded at Will's request and smiled to Grace and Jack as they exited the apartment to leave for their own. It was late, and the friends had eaten Chinese takeout and played poker for hours. She was ready for sleep, if she had to be honest, but Will's words seemed to wake her sleepy mind.
"Can't you just sign my name, honey? I won't tell." He chuckled, and she placed her purse on the floor by the couch as she sat. He brought a few papers and laid them upon the coffee table. She sighed and read over the paragraphs before signing her name to the indicated lines.
"Has anyone ever told you that your handwriting is kind of sloppy?" She scoffed and signed the last document, sliding them towards his side of the table.
"Has anyone ever told you that you can be pretty bitchy sometimes?" He laughed at her words, placing a hand upon her knee. She kept her gaze on his fingers, absentmindedly caressing the fine flesh over her stockings. It seemed innocent enough, but there was something so sweet in his gesture.
"Yeah, but I do what you do and ignore them." His brow furrowed at the strange look in her eyes. It was as if she was barely listening to him. She seemed too focused on the fact that his hand was on her knee. He quickly retracted it. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, or anything."
"No, it's okay." She licked her lips before meeting his eyes, smiling to hide her embarrassment. Their eyes maintained gaze for a moment, causing her to lose her breath. He leaned forward, and she quickly pressed her lips to his in a soft kiss. It only lasted a moment, but her stomach sparked and seemed as if it had burst into flames. He pulled away, holding her by the shoulders.
"Karen, what the hell?" She exhaled, looking to the side to realize that he was only reaching for his discarded pen on her side of the table. It felt as if her heart dropped.
"Oh my God." She covered her agape mouth with her hand, and looked into his face. "Oh, no." Embarrassment filled her stomach, occupying the place where the fire burned only moments before. She pushed his hands from her shoulders and grabbed her purse, quickly trying to run from the situation. She was mortified beyond anything she had ever felt in her life. She wanted to go back in time, stop herself from acting so foolishly.
"Wait, don't go. It's not a big deal." He took hold of her hand. She tried to pull it away and leave, but he held tightly to her. She bit her lip to stop the tears from flowing. She just couldn't believe herself. "Hey, hey, come here." He pulled her closer and took her shoulders in his hands, for the second time that night, but he was gentler all of a sudden.
"I'm sorry, okay. Please let me go." She continued to pull away, only wanting to leave. The sooner she could put the situation behind her the better; it didn't need to be dwelled upon.
"Are you crying?" She was suddenly more forceful. Her hands pushed against his chest, trying to get him to let go, but he held firm. There was no way she was going to let him see her cry.
"Damn it let go!" The volume and harshness of her words shocked him, and he quickly let go. She sniffled and hurried away from him, slamming the door behind her in her quick exit. It was only when the elevator doors closed behind her that she allowed her real tears to fall, and they didn't stop until she cried herself to sleep.