The piano bar was an oasis of cool, uncluttered calm after the boisterous energy of the dance floor. It was nearly as large as the other area, and at this moment half as crowded. It was also quite effectively soundproofed, as the pounding beat of the dance floor was all but silenced as soon as the door closed behind them, replaced with the clear and tranquil sound of a soft solo jazz piano.
Compared to the shabby-chic of the other area, spread out in front of them was a room that looked gleaming, new and sleek. It was divided into intimate seating areas some defined by slightly elevated areas, and others by carpeted areas. Elegant brass railings acted as usefully positioned decorative accents.
The chairs included classic modern styles like Florence Knoll tufted lounge chairs in black leather, compatible leather sofas in black and jewel tones, and fabric upholstered sofas and chairs in bright coloured prints.
The walls were black wallpapered with a small gold geometric pattern. The lighting was subdued, white and coloured, creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere, and expertly deployed using wall sconces and ceiling pot lamps. Unlike the other room this one had large windows along one wall; the night skyline somewhat visible from this second-floor vantage-point.
Maura, Jane and the guys chose a seat grouping along the windowed wall: 2 armless loveseat sofas facing each other with a coffee table in between.
"Wow! You were hungry before all that dancing! Even I would say you must be starved now!" Maura said to Rick as she settled onto the sofa, draping her wrap beside her. Jane sank down also beside her, draping her arm along the back of the sofa behind Maura, and leaning in toward her.
At this time Maura looked down at her dress, touching the various appliques and stones. "My gosh. I guess neither of our dresses are ideal for such wild dancing." She said looking at Jane's dress, and prompting Jane to look it over as well.
Finding everything intact, Maura commented. "I guess it's a testament to the workmanship that we didn't leave the dance floor littered with pieces of our dresses."
Rob looked them over as well, and said to Maura, "I have to admit I was a bit worried. As my hands, were moving all over you, out of necessity, of course, I was a bit afraid I'd pull something off!"
Before even sitting Rick looked around to catch the eye of a waiter. He then sat down next to Rob on the sofa across from Maura and Jane.
"They have about a dozen different kinds of burgers, and pizza with some unusual toppings. What's everybody else having?" Rick said, looking at his menu.
Jane was not disappointed in finding sinfully exotic choices in the dessert section. After perusing a calorie-packed array of names, and descriptions that probably included every confection known to man, she settled on a triple-layer raspberry, chocolate, cheesecake drizzled with Cointreau.
Even before Maura knew what Jane was about to order, she mused. "Gosh, Jane. Even though I would normally be a bit antsy that we haven't been to a gym in nearly 3 days, after that workout on the dance floor, I'm less worried. Thank you!" She exhaled a deep breath, looking over at the guys with a smile that conveyed how much she had really enjoyed it!
"Our pleasure, Beautiful. D'ya feel 18 again?" Rob said with a smile in the direction of both women.
A waitress took their orders: Four tall glasses of water, 4 coffees, Jane's dessert, and Rick's 'Acropolis' burger, made with melted Feta cheese, and topped with tomatoes, black olives and green and yellow peppers. They also ordered a selection of finger foods to nibble between them.
Hearing Rick's order, Maura commented, "Something reminiscent of Athens, your last Olympic competition."
Rick smiled at Maura, (flattered that she remembered), then laughed briefly, as he leaned back relaxed, and looked around him a bit more.
"So you guys are off to Rio next week." Jane said, smiling at both men and raising her eyebrows in an expression of excitement.
Rob answered, "No. Actually we're off to Jamaica next week. Usain Bolt is having some people over to his place for a few days, and a weekend party."
"I guess we shouldn't be surprised that you know him too." Maura began before Rob looked like he wanted to interrupt.
"Actually, he's more of a friend of a friend, who got us the invite. So after a week there, we fly south to Rio." Rob said.
"Copacabana Beach, here we come!" Rick added with a big smile that infectiously spread to the others.
After a couple minutes, the four of them taking sips of water or coffee, Maura added keenly, "Mmm, I wish we were coming with you." Rob met her eyes, smiled and nodded.
Their food arrived, and Rick was a happy man! He was lifting his burger off the plate even as the waitress was setting it down! He took his first bite, and although his mouth was full, made unrestrained sounds of pleasure, relief, gratitude, and contentment!
A bit amused, but happy for him, Rob reached over and patted his shoulder, saying, "Enjoy.."
Meanwhile Maura and Jane sat looking at her dessert for a few minutes before Jane even started reaching for her fork.
Her hand briefly touching Jane's back, she laughed as she glanced back and forth between Jane and her large slice of cheesecake. "You're out of practice aren't you? Never thought I'd say it, but you're gun-shy!"
Jane smiled wickedly. "No, I'm not!" She reached for her fork.
As that first bite hit her taste buds, she closed her eyes. "Mmm.. Mmm! Mmm!" She said with an intensity usually associated with another type of pleasure!
"Maur, you gotta taste this." Jane cut off another piece; feeling Jane's other hand touch hers, Maura turned toward her, and opened her mouth for Jane to gently slide the fork into her mouth.
"Mm, that is delicious, tangy, mmm." Maura allowed herself a few moments of sugar ecstasy, then continued, half-joking, "We're definitely hitting the hotel gym tomorrow morning!" Turning to Jane again, "Lemme have another piece."
Rob changed the subject, almost musing to himself. "It's going to be a hectic few days when we get back to Boston, but I have got to find the time to visit my girls, my pussycats." Looking toward Maura and Jane he continued. "Melanie and Melinda, my exquisite 5 year-old Himalayans. I've had them boarded at a pet hotel/spa; having their coats conditioned, getting manicures, pedicures, teeth cleaned, the works!" All said with demonstrative hand-gestures.
Starting to laugh, Rick looked toward Rob and said, "Oh, you are precious! Not to mention hilarious! Ladies, I wasn't certain you'd catch Rob's 'I'm as gay as a picnic basket' act this weekend. 'Pussycats' getting 'manicures'! Are you serious?"
Speaking to Jane and Maura, "It's his form of political activism. He flaunts it for those who can't!"
A slightly shocked laugh from Maura, as she quickly glanced around the immediate area; she and Jane looking on with an intrigued smile to see Rob's reaction.
He laughed back. "Buddy, you sound a little gay yourself when you hum your show scores from beginning to end..even when we're out in public!"
Having put his burger down for a minute, Rick continued. "That's another thing..I'll never understand how you can love opera, and not like musical theatre."
"Well...I dunno. Guess I'm a complicated guy. And very comfortable with who I am, by the way!" Rob finished confidently.
"Well, I'm glad to hear it." Rick continued. "I'm also willing to bet that at least one of these ladies has had the chance this weekend, to see that you're more than capable of swinging her way too!"
"It's the best of both worlds." Rob said, winking in the women's direction.
Maura smiled with her mouth, and laughed with her eyes. She and her 3 traveling companions seemed to have enough libido for 10 people!
"And don't forget you're thinking of getting another 'pussycat'... like the ones in Dalia's exhibit!" Then looking toward the women, Rick continued in an amused tone, "Rob wants a pet tiger! Or was it a lion?" He queried, briefly looking back at Rob, before picking up the burger again.
Still a little taken aback by the recent exchange between the men, Jane said that a pet tiger sounded exciting..and perhaps a bit dangerous.
Maura, on the other hand, felt enlivened, and entertained by their provocative banter. She thought back to her conversation with Jane in the sauna.
"Just make sure you keep them in very separate quarters," Rick continued after swallowing another bite. "Or the 'big adorable pussycat' will probably eat Melanie and Melinda!"
Rob looked pained. And even though they were all joking around, and Maura was laughing, she reached over and comfortingly stroked Rob's forearm a couple times.
"These guys and their banter.." Jane thought, suddenly aware of how bizarre some of it sounded. "I wonder if Maura and I sound like this to other people. Anyway, this is a weekend to not take anything too seriously. Chill out. Soon the evening will be over, and you'll be alone with Maura."
"I have a little dog. Her name is Joe Friday." Jane said. "And Maura used to have a turr -ortoise." she continued, amusing Maura with her mid-word correction. (Old habits die hard.)
"Is that a new crossbreed?" She joked looking at Jane. More pensively after a minute or two, "But I do miss Bass." She elaborated further when the guys showed an interest in knowing what it was like having a pet 'tur-ortoise'.
The conversation died down for a few minutes as Rick and Jane finished eating. They all became again aware of the cheerful melodic tinkling of the piano, and the pianist's silvery voice, filling the room without drowning out conversation. The grand piano was set up in a way that allowed people to sit on bar-stools around it, keeping the singer company, throwing out the odd request, and filling the huge brandy snifter with her tips. The whole atmosphere was comfortable, upbeat, casually elegant.
They noticed that this bar also had a small dance floor, on the other side of the room, and there were a few couples currently on it. But neither the girls nor guys needed any more dancing, even slow and sedate. So they relaxed and wound down for about an hour alternating between light conversation, and listening to music.
The waitress came to collect their dishes and Rob persuaded his companions that they'd each like a cognac. As soon as she had finished her dessert, Jane's hand had discreetly found Maura's and linked a couple of their fingers, sometimes hidden beneath wraps and dress folds.
Lost in thought for a moment, Maura found her gaze resting on Rob's pant leg; and was jolted back to the present when he moved his leg to cross it.
"Rob, I have to say that your suit is a very interesting, and beautiful fabric. It looks as though it has silver threads artfully woven through it. Did you get that suit in Boston?"
Rob uncrossed his legs and leaned forward to answer Maura, as she spoke again. "Or did you get it here, today?"
Rob smiled. "No. I actually have all my suits custom tailored by a guy, a shop in Castle Court..London. I've also had a few from a Hong Kong tailor who sometimes visits Boston. But this one I had made in Milan. I was there in February for Fashion Week!"
"Oh Fashion Week!" Maura practically cried out! Feeling her disappointment all over again, Maura looked over at Jane, then explained to Rob. "A few months ago Jane and I started making Bucket Lists."
Sighing, she continued, "Well..we had no items in common! I mean, we finally came up with something we'd both like to do, but she refuses to go to Paris Fashion Week with me! She wants to do things like Hell Training and zip-lining through the Costa Rican jungle or...something like that."
Jane laughed, and was about to correct what Maura had said, when Rob spoke.
Clearly excited, he leaned forward. Taking Maura's hands, he said, "Well, I'll go with you! The next one would be in the fall of course, September or October. Let's check it out. Then, arrange to be away that week, and Honey, you got a date!"
Maura laughed, and looked at him, not sure what to say. Taking a deep breath, her eyes practically tearing up at this answer to her dilemma. "I am so tempted to take you up on that...Yes! Let's do it!"
Jane was looking on, excited for Maura, but with a concern or something else in her eyes. Maura looked at her. "You are still coming to Paris with me!" Her hands free again, she grabbed Jane's hand, and held it tight as she looked into her eyes, saying flirtatiously, "Rob may be going to Fashion Week with me, (looking back at Rob), "but I still want to do Paris with you!...I want to do you..in Paris."
Jane turned a shade or two of red, and smiled uncomfortably with eyes darting right and left. The guys looked as though they shouldn't have been looking..or listening.
Feeling triumphant, Maura continued. "Rick, I really hope you can come too! Are you interested in Fashion Week too?
When Rick indicated that he definitely was not, Maura joked, "OK. While Rob and I are at the shows, you two can be climbing the Eiffel Tower or something!"
Eyes lighting up, Jane said, "Can you do that?"
"I have no idea, Jane. I was just being facetious. We can Google all of this later, or tomorrow, or sometime." Maura finished.
Rick then said to excitedly Jane. "I actually haven't zip-lined yet. You can do it so many places now. I might do it while we're in Jamaica. Have you ever been bungee-jumping?"
As both Rob and Maura gave a collective shudder, Jane answered that she hadn't, but would love to hear about it.
"I did it a couple times on a trip to Australia! We jumped off a bridge!"
Almost as soon as the words were out of his mouth, Jane's hand found Maura's forearm, moving down to grip her hand tightly, and turning to calm her, before she had a chance to react, even internally, to the idea of Jane jumping off another bridge, even for fun!
Trying to make light of it, and relieve wall of the tension suddenly beside her, Jane said flippantly, "Maura doesn't like it when I jump off bridges."
Raising an eyebrow, Rob asked, "Something you do often?"
"Long story. We'll tell you some other time. Still too soon." Fingers playing with Maura's palm, she then leaned in to rub her cheek against Maura's before turning to kiss it.
"On that note, why don't we get the check and head out." Rob said.
As soon as the waitress placed the little tray with the bill in the centre of the table, Jane reached for it. "This one's on me." Before Rob or Rick could effectively do anything about it, Jane had taken out a few US bills and handed the waitress back the little tray, saying, "Keep the change."
The exchange rate hadn't improved over the last 30 hours, so the waitress gave Jane a big smile.
(Dino's Piano Bar also my invention.)