*~Dani~*
Air.
What is air? At the moment it escapes me. I can't breathe. I can hardly move. All that I'm capable of is staring. The last time I saw Mark I was saying goodbye to him. Now he is here, in front of me, looking even better than I remember. I feel myself blink and I take as slow a breath as I can manage. Feeling creeps back into my body, the shock recedes, and I am simply happy. My best friend is standing in front of me! Boy, have I missed him!
"Mark, what are you doing here?!" I exclaim.
"It's good to see you, too, Dani."
There it is. That teasing tone; the one he used on me so often in school. Without wasting another moment, I hug him. Even in my heels I must stand on my tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek. Where he used to be so smooth and baby-faced, there's a layer of stubble. It suits him. Brings to him a more rugged appeal.
"It's been a long time," I murmur softly.
"UH, Excuse me?"
A hand touches the small of my back. Evan. I completely forget I have been dancing with him; forget that he is still right behind me. Mark and I turn to face him and it's obvious he is noticeably pissed.
"Oh, sorry Evan!" I apologize to him," This is Mark, one of my good college friends!"
"We already know each other," Evan retorts.
Mark, in a chipper tone, simply greets him. "Good to see you again, Evan."
Then, as if Evan simply disappears, he turns back to me. He flashes her his trademark smile; the lopsided one that makes a small dimple appear in his cheek. He blushes as he takes me in. His eyes travel from my own, down the curves of my body, and then slowly back up.
"Wow, you look...wow," he fumbles through praise, "New York was good to you, huh?"
"More than good, but... I missed the Bay," I confess.
Mark's eyes narrow skeptically, " just the bay?"
"Well no of course not. I also missed the weather," I tease.
Mark shakes his head in a knowing way. He should know to expect this from me after all these years. Still the same, sassy woman.
"So how do you two know each other?" I ask, looking between him and Evan.
"We worked on the same product team last year! Shared a cubicle, spent countless hours teamed up to finish the work," Mark explains.
Evan glares at Mark. He stands tall, almost appears to puff out his chest when he answers.
"Oh he was all about teamwork, " he spits out venomously, "until that superiority complex of his kicked in. Thought he was too good for us. Isn't that right, teammate?"
Mark shrugs. He answers Evan in a very nonchalantly. "Something like that. They made me manager of a new team because of my work ethic the quality of my programming."
" Yeah, sitting on your ass doing nothing all day is an excellent work ethic, " Evan scoffs.
"Well, you know what they say, " I add, "Those who can't do, manage".
"Thanks Dani," Mark jokes, "you always did know how to encourage me."
I elbow Mark in the ribs and he retaliates with a poke to my stomach. He remembers what that does to me. I jump and yelp. Mark just laughs. Evan's scowl grows darker as he finishes his drink. Abruptly he steps between us and turns his back to Mark.
"Would you like another round, Dani?" he asks.
"That would be great, Evan, thanks!"
Casting a warning glance in Mark's direction, he stalks off towards the bar. We're alone, and I can see Mark is full to the brim with questions. I know exactly which one he will ask first.
"How'd you meet Evan?"
Yep.
"At the café before work this morning," I answer him.
Mark smirks at me.
"So," he begins, "You're back in San Francisco four days already and have not called me, but less than 24 hours after meeting Evan you're on a date with him. What's the deal, New York?"
Oh…so it all rests on my shoulders? He isn't placing this solely on me. I lean close and put a hand on his shoulder. Mark looks at me and I know I catch him off guard. I smile and pronounce each word carefully.
"You know, Collins, the phone works both ways. Correct?"
"I was hoping you wouldn't bring that up," he admits, "I guess I should have known better. And don't call me Collins. I still hate it when you do that."
Of course, he does. It is a habit I developed after knowing him a while. Whenever he annoyed me or made me angry I'd call him by my last name. He hated that; hated knowing I was upset. Irritating him, even in the smallest of ways, was satisfying. However, to retain its power I only used it when I was at my limit. Today's usage was a mild annoyance; brought up only for old time's sake.
"Nice to see you again, Mark."
"You too, Dani."
From across the floor, over the bass of the music, I hear Evan shout at me.
"DANI! OVER HERE, OVER HERE! LOOK! A BEER PONG TABLE OPENED UP!"
He stands next to a table and holds two drinks up in the air. I turn away from him and look at Mark. In the years we knew each other at University, we played our share of beer pong. As a team we were never successful, having won maybe once, but we always had fun. The bonus was him always carrying me back to my dorm when we played too many rounds.
"Well…what do you say?" I ask him.
Mark's lips curl into a smile. Damn, that smile.
"I'm in," he confirms.
With Mark by my side we approach the table. Evan looks excited as can be…until he sees Mark. His shoulders slump and the frown returns.
"Oh, super, "he glowers, "you brought Mark, too. Wonderful. I guess you're on his team?"
Mark looks at me and I look back at him. If it was not my choice before it is now – just to piss him off.
"Sure am!" I declare.
"Just like the good ole' days," Mark adds.
"Fine, but get ready to lose!" Evan vehemently warns us. He huffs and downs his entire drink.
"Evan…what do you think we did in the good ole' days? We lost almost every tournament-"
"Blah Blah Blah," Evan interjects, "let's get started!"
The three of us work together to set up the cups. Before long, the game is in full swing. Evan takes it way too seriously. He is not talking, he is not looking at me; his focus remains on the cups. That is until I employ the use of my feminine wiles. He winds his arm back to throw the ball and I step into his line of sight. I lean over a little and push my cleavage together.
"Oh Evan…" I coo, "Make this shot and I'll kiss you".
"Huh?" he says in surprise.
"WHAT?!" Mark proclaims in a similar tone.
The ball sails over the cups and into my hand. I hold it up in triumph and wink at him.
"Awww…too bad," I tease, "guess you don't want that kiss after all."
The game progresses and we each put in a respectable performance. We're down to one cup each. The final showdown, and it's my turn. I pick up the ball; roll it between my hands as I focus. Then, staring down my target, I throw it and listen as it plops solidly into the cup.
"And THAT," I brag, "is how it's done boys."
Evan is positively furious. Being a sore loser is a big turn off. I take note of this for my article. We set to work fixing the table for the next group when the ping pong ball rolls off the edge and across the floor.
"I'll get it," he grumbles.
He disappears into a sea of people. While I watch him, I feel Mark watching me.
"Evan's … intense, don't you think?" he comments with a witty grin.
"Don't be an ass, Mark," I warn him.
He shrugs his shoulder and circles his finger above his head like a halo.
"What?" he exclaims innocently, "I'm just being obser- "
"GUYS! YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED!"
Evan runs back through the crowd, shoving several people in the process. He doesn't wait for us to guess – just launches into excited rambling.
"The VP of Marketing wants to partner up with me for this pong tourney! It's starting right now. This is a huge networking opportunity. So…I'm sorry Dani, but our date ends here. I'll call you sometime, okay?"
"No worries, I'd rather hang out with Mark anyway," I reveal with a wave.
Evan doesn't even react; just waves back at me and runs. I am not upset. Not by a longshot. This date is at best average and I feel instant relief now that it's over. Mark comes up behind me. He touches my elbow gently.
"What an dick," he mutters and shakes his head, "want to get out of here?"
"Yes please."
Mark takes hold of my hand. When our palms touch a tingle skitters up my arm. I know he feels it, too, when he looks back at me. I let him lead the way out the front doors. Once we're free of the strobe lighting, loud music, and crowds, he lets me go. I'm not sure he really wants to: Nor am I sure I really want him to. We stand side by side around the corner of the building. Mark raises an eyebrow at me as I work on my phone.
"So…gonna call him again?"
I show him Evan's contact info as I press the delete button.
"That answer your question?" I ask.
We both smile. Mark looks down at his watch, and then back at me with purpose.
"It's still early," he observes, "I'm meeting some friends at a bar called The Double Tap. Come with me."
"I dunno…"
"C'mon Dani," he pleads, "I just want a chance to pick up where we left off."
I look up at him and his eyes catch me off guard. Oh God, those eyes. When we met, they were one of the first things I noticed about him because they were such a vibrant, deep cerulean color. When they sparkle they're pure magic; they're also a dangerous and effective tool to use on me. Dammit.
"So we're going to pick up like old times… in a bar full of people I don't know?" I joke.
Mark rolls his eyes.
"You know what I mean," he says, "After college you kind of packed up and went away so suddenly. Like…like none of this mattered to you."
"Mark," I say with guilt, "It's not like that…it's not like I didn't miss…San Francisco."
"I know New York was the right move for you, "he admits, "But now you're back and you have chance to reconnect with…San Francisco. We gotta start somewhere, right? Come and have a drink with me, Dani".
"Alright, let's do it. But you know you're buying, right?"
Our walk is short and somewhat quiet. That's one of the many good things about Mark. Not every moment needs to be full of conversation. Silence is comfortable with him. Besides, his little side glances and smiles say more than his words. We get to The Double Tap – a low brick building with an old wooden sign swinging from a post over the door. Mark holds the door open for me and I brush past him; probably too close to him. Close enough to feel his breath on the back of his neck as I pass.
It gives me goosebumps.
Mark doesn't even look around. He walks with directly towards a booth off to the side of the bar. His friends sit there talking until we approach.
"Hey guys," he greets them, "this is Dani, my friend from Uni. Dani, this is- "
"OH MY GOD! Dani! It's so good to finally meet you!"
A beautiful, tall blond hops out of her seat and wraps me in a big hug. I hug her back, smiling quizzically over her shoulder at Mark.
"-is Brooke," he finishes in amusement, "As you can see, she's the living, breathing Miss Congeniality. Or just Midwestern. Jury's still out on that one."
"Hi Brooke, "I say when she finally lets me go.
Brooke slides back into the booth and no sooner the man across from her slides out of it. He looks me over and over and I can't tell if it's because he's being flirtatious or because he's drunk.
"So this is Dani!" he remarks, "bout time we got to meet you!"
He holds out his hand. When I take it he brings mine to his lips and kisses my knuckles. Charming. I smile at him. Mark looks weary beside me.
"This is Cole," he says, "my roommate."
"His Broski in crime, "Cole corrects him. Mark groans and rolls his eyes.
"Nice to meet you Cole," I reply.
"Oh no, no, no, Dani…the pleasure is all mine. You are every bit as beautiful as Mark told me-"
"THANKS COLE, "Mark cuts him off. His cheeks are bright red and he looks like he wants to sink into the ground.
Cole slaps Mark on the back and nods. "Anytime I can help, buddy."
Cole slides back into the booth and Mark sits beside him. Brooke pulls me in next to her. She looks over at the bartender.
"Horatio," she calls out, "Mark and Dani need drinks!"
From behind the bar Horatio looks in Brooke's direction.
"You got it," he says.
Once our drink orders are in Brooke pulls me into another hug. She starts talking a mile a minute.
"You really are so beautiful!" she gushes, "and you look stunning in that dress! Where did you find it? Could I borrow it sometime?"
"Brooke!"
The girl sitting beside her says her name the way a parent does when their child is up to no good. Brooke turns to her looking a little embarrassed.
"We talked about this Brooke," she admonishes, "about personal space and about not jumping all over people when you first meet them…remember? Sorry Dani. Brooke's a personal trainer, therefore prone to excessive peppiness. I haven't found her off switch yet."
"This is my roommate Sereena," Brooke says in a much calmer tone, "She's an angry little munchkin to most of the world, but to me she's a sweetheart!"
"I…am…not…sweet…" Sereena retorts through gritted teeth, "nor am I a munchkin. That's just another infantilizing label imposed on women by men!"
"Suuuure Sereena. You're never this fierce on hot cocoa night," Brooke says with a grin.
"Leave my cocoa out of this! It has nothing to do with the Revolution!" Sereena hisses.
Brooke beams in her roommate's direction.
"You see?! Living with her is the best!" she exclaims.
Sereena frowns and adds, "Yeah, when the landlord's not sucking us dry with rent increases. You're going to have to find a new roomie soon."
Suddenly Brooke gasps and I jump six feet in the air. Mark smirks at me. I always used to scare easily and he always laughed at me. Jerk.
"I just had an epiphany!" Brooke declares, "Dani, if you're apartment hunting, why not move in with me?!"
"BROOKE!" Sereena chastises, "you can't ask a stranger to move in with you!"
"She's not a stranger, she's Mark's friend which means she's our friend, "Brooke reasons.
I look graciously at Brooke. While I'm tempted by the offer I need to see the depth to which the perkiness goes before I make that kind of decision. I thank her for the offer and tell her I will consider it. She seems pleased and drops the matter. Finally, Horatio makes his way to our table with two drinks in hand. He squeezes into the booth beside Mark and slides us our drinks.
"Here we go, last drinks of my shift," he says, "Pilsner for Mark and The Bayshore Welcome for Dani."
"Thank you, "I say to him.
When I try to take a sip, I find a pair of eyes watching me intently. Horatio. Staring in an almost scrutinizing way.
"Uhh…something wrong?" I ask wearily.
"Just…just make sure you savor the drink," he instructs me, "appreciate the layers of flavor and how they all interact with one another."
"Oh God," Mark brings a hand to his forehead, "here we go."
"This drink is a Double Tap specialty. One-part coconut, One part cranberry juice, muddled with organic raspberries and then spritzed with a homemade elderflower tincture. You must savor it; breathe in the drink before tasting it. After all, digestion begins with your sense of smell!"
I stare at Horatio unblinking, for several seconds, before following his directions. When I finally take my first sip I can appreciate what he said to me. I compliment him on his creation and he sits up a little straighter, proud of his work.
"You know, we have a newbie amongst us," Cole says when there's a lull in conversation, "a very tantalizing, luscious newb-"
"COLE."
"Jokes, Mark. Just jokes," Cole chuckles, "seems like a good time to introduce her to Red Herring."
Everyone around me perks up eagerly. I remain dumbstruck.
"Red Herring?" I repeat, "never heard of it."
"Of course not, we made it up a few years ago," Mark explains, "The rules are sort of complex but… you'll get to know my friends pretty well in the process."
Brooke leans over close to my ear. In a quiet voice she shares, "The game can get a little…scandalous. Kissing, streaking…"
"That's how we got our motto!" Cole announces, "'What happens in Red Herring, stays in Red Herring'".
I look around the table at all the hopeful faces. I end on Mark's and stare entirely too long at that pouty frown. I find hard to decline.
"I'm in guys!"
"Excellent!" Cole says with a wicked laugh.
We relocate to the bar where I'm sandwiched between Cole and Sereena. Mark sits on the other side of Cole and stares over his shoulder at me.
"So tell me the rules," I start.
I'm met with Horatio's hand in the air to stop me. He slides a beer slides down the counter in my direction.
"First things first," he says.
"Shotgun that sucker and we'll tell you what you need to know," Mark assures me.
I grab my keys and puncture the can. As I bring it to my mouth I pop the tab and guzzle it. Cole looks at me in wonder when I finish and crush the can. They explain the rules of the game and we start to play. I see as we get further in that it gets increasingly complicated. When Cole is named Bottle Master he looks at us mischievously.
"Buckle up Buttercups," he warns, "I choose 'Never Have I Ever' as our game!"
Everyone around me groans. I take this as a bad sign.
"Hush… here we go. Never have I ever…fucked in public!"
We look around at each other. Horatio is the first to take a drink, followed shortly after by Brooke. Then, when I see no one else move I take a swig of mine. Cole, Sereena, and Mark don't touch theirs. Cole looks over at Mark with a raised eyebrow.
"Really, my dude?" he says.
"Nope. I prefer privacy," he responds firmly.
I lean over to look past Cole at him.
"Oh come on!" I tease, "where's your sense of adventure?!"
"He left it on campus after you l-"
"SHUT UP COLE!" Mark warns, "My sense of adventure is in the bedroom where I like it. What about you, Dani?"
"Do I give off an exhibitionist vibe or something?" I joke.
"You're just simply too delicious to be completely innocent, "Cole observes.
"Well you know that phrase 'Lady in the streets, freak in sheets'?" I explain, "yeah, not always with me. I love sex and if I happen to be in public when I want it…so be it."
Mark choke-s on air, from what I can tell. He coughs and pounds on his chest. Cole snickers.
"Any particular favorite places?" he asks me.
"Hmmm… best leave that a mystery," I say with a sly smile.
Mark recovers at last. He clears his throat.
"So…really? Public Sex?!" he ponders, "I'm…surprised."
"You know…you don't know everything about me," I point out, "I've changed a lot while I was away."
"So I'm learning," Mark says with a grin.
No one else sees it but me. It hits me in the gut and makes me tingle somewhere it should not.
"Well I like a woman who isn't afraid to speak her mind," Sereena says, "Most people are so full of bull-"
"Oooh Oooh! You said Bull! I call Toro!" Brooke shouts.
At the sound of the word everyone around me makes horns on their heads with their fingers. Everyone except me and Mark. I beat him to it and he swears under this breath.
"Awww Mark gets trampled now!" Cole declares.
Mark crosses his arms over his chest and pouts.
"One, cattle run in herds, "he argues, "Two, why would the last one be trampled? He's behind the crowd."
"Oh take the drink you big baby," I tease him. He looks at me and shakes his head.
"You're enjoying this too much, Dani."
We go several more rounds and the alcohol is hitting us heavy. I become well versed in the intricate rules until...
"WOOHOO!" I cheer, "I finished the Emperor's Cup! That means I'm the Red Herring!"
When I hold up the cup everyone at the table cheers. Horatio bows to me and then pulls a deck of cards from his pocket. He shuffles them and then fans them out before me.
"Per the ancient rules, The Red Herring must draw from the Happy Ending Deck," He announces regally.
I raise my eyebrow at the name and wonder if they mean the fairy tale or massage table version of happy ending. I guess I am about to find out. I pick one out of the deck and hold it up for everyone to see. Mark becomes visibly uncomfortable.
"A Jack of Hearts. What does it mean?" I ask.
"OOOOOHHHH… how very, very interesting," Cole slurs as he speaks, "Markus…what does the Jack of Hearts mean?"
Mark glares at Cole; I can only assume for the nickname. Then he blushes profusely. He looks up at me and mumbles "It uh… means The Red Herring has to kiss the player of their choice."
"Seriously?" I ask around the table.
"Oh yes," Sereena confirms, "clearly devised by a pathetic male… but seeing as a woman won the game I find it empowering that-"
"Sereena you're spoiling the moment!" Brooke shouts and then turns to me, "Who will it be Dani? Who are you going to kiss?"
It's not really a crap shoot. My new friends are great, but… there's only one person I have in mind.
"Mark."
"Well, rules are rules," he jokes.
But his face does not mirror jest. He's flushed red. And he's nervous. He wipes his palms on his pants and swivels on his stool as I approach him. I'm nervous too, but I try not to let it show. I wrap my arms around his neck and look into his eyes. Mark stares right back at me. His arms slowly wrap around my waist and pull me closer. All sounds – all activities – around us cease to exist. It's just Mark and I… and The Jack of Hearts Kiss. I lean closer, ever closer to those perfect grinning lips until they meet mine. They are sweet, from his last drink, and they move against mine in a way that makes me shiver. The kiss should be over quick. Instead Mark holds me tighter. His lips move a little rougher. They take command over mine and I feel like I can't breathe. Before I know it I've got one hand knotted in the back of his hair and one hand pulling on his collar; his hands are on my hips and slowly moving lower.
Oh shit.
The two of us break apart and look around like deer caught in headlights. All around are open mouths and wide eyes. Except Cole; who is smiling like he is responsible for this luck of the draw. I can't catch my breath but I do my best to speak in an even tone.
"How's that?" I ask Mark.
"I uh…. uh…um…what?" is the only intelligible thing that comes out of his mouth.
"Mark, DUDE," Cole shouts through his laughter, "your pants are looking a little tighter in the crotch all of a sudden. Got wood?"
Mark looks down at his lap and I won't lie: so did I. Before I see anything, he slouches over and puts his arms across his lap. This make Cole laugh harder.
"Don't sweat it, Broski," He badgers Mark, "If I just kissed that sex goddess the way you did I'd have wood too-"
"COLE SHUT THE HELL UP!"
This is my cue to head back to my own stool. Mark gulps down the last of his beer and takes deep even breaths. That is, until his phone vibrates. He looks down and all the color drains from his face. Cole looks over his shoulder at the screen and groans.
"I was wondering when the Wicked Bitch of the West would text," he mutters, "It's been almost a whole hour since you messaged her, after all."
"I really wish you'd stop calling my GIRLFRIEND that. At least, to her face," Mark retorts.
Now the color drains from my face. Girlfriend? What girlfriend? Until now there's been no mention from her, including from Mark. He certainly didn't think to mention a girlfriend when the Jack of Hearts came up. I feel of mixture of annoyance and…something else I can't put my finger on. Mark avoids my gaze as he looks down once more and then hops off the stool. Guess the text killed that boner.
"She's uh…she's outside parking the car. I'm gonna go outside and meet her," he says feebly.
He heads to the door like a scared pup; I can almost see his tail tucked between his legs. His friends clearly know. I look at each in turn and then say "When exactly were any of you going to mention that Mark has a girlfriend? Would've been good to know before I chose to kiss him!"
"Wait…Mark didn't tell you about her?" Brooke stares at me in shock.
"In our defense though, we never talk about her because we hate her," Sereena admits.
"SEREENA!" Brooke smacks Sereena's hand in reproach. Sereena just shrugs and looks around.
"Guys, am I wrong?" She asks Cole and Horatio.
"She brings out the worst in Mark," Cole agrees, "And she makes the strangest noises when they're-"
I hold up a hand "I don't wanna know that Cole, "I warn him, "Well… she can't be as bad as that awful girl he dated in college. Her name was Amy. Man, Mark stored his balls in her pocket when they were together."
"AHEM"
I hear someone behind me clear their throat loud. I also notice Brooke, Sereena, Horatio, and Cole staring open-mouthed. So I turn around…
Jesus…
The familiar ginger locks, pale skin, pinched looking face, and flashing green eyes stare down condescendingly at me. She is NOT happy to see me. Mark stands behind her, fidgeting. Sweat beads at his brow.
"Dani…uh…you remember Amy? We uh…dated in college?"
I swallow hard and fail at an attempt to smile. My heart crashes somewhere around my feet and I can only squeeze out two monotone words.
"Hi, Amy".