"I work for an international drug cartel."
"Did she really just say she works for an international drug cartel?" Interrupting her thoughts a deep laugh erupts from Alex, relief washing over Piper.
"So then… Alex the international drug dealer, were you intrigued enough by my resume to offer me a job in your 'cartel'?" If Alex wasn't going to be serious and tell piper her 'real' job then she may as well go along with Alex's bravado, she was kidding after all right?
"Kid, with that resume I wouldn't give you a job selling pot on a street corner" she sniggered, "However, I'm hoping as I've bought you a drink you'll let me get to know the real you a little better." Alex smiled wrapping her gorgeous lips around the neck of her beer bottle.
"Well it doesn't seem like I have much choice in the matter.." Piper flirted back, finally regaining some confidence, she wasn't usually this shy, her string of recent one night stands were evidence to that fact. Although, they were all men, and this incredibly hot, cocky, edgy woman seemed to strip bare all of her usual bullshit and to Piper that was incredibly unnerving.
"Ouch kid, so when are you heading back to Independence, Kansas ey?" "So she really has read 'Little House on the Prairie', impressive."
"Laura Ingalls Wilder, really?"
"It got your attention didn't it? No offence but you look like a yippie literature major, plus you've got that innocent, bambi eyed, couldn't do no wrong look about you, don't get me wrong… it looks good on you kid, you wear it well."
It annoyed Piper how much she enjoyed this stranger giving her these backwards compliments, "Yippie, really?" and calling her 'kid', usually she would have taken offence. Alex couldn't be what? More than 3 years older than her? But when Alex used the term it sounded affectionate, like a pet name that had been effortlessly rolled off the tongue for years.
"Ha! You should meet my mother. She would disagree…. In Essex, Connecticut not Kansas. So you enjoy reading?"
"One drink and you're already inviting me to meet your mother?" Alex smirked, "Hard to believe right? I mean I don't have a degree in… let me guess.. woman's literature?" Pipers eyes raised in recognition, how could she read her so well? Alex continued, "but I do enjoy losing myself in a good novel, I have to say Little House on the Prairie isn't up on my list of favorite reads but after meeting you that's quickly starting to change" causing Piper to blush.
She couldn't believe how much she was enjoying the gentle flirtation and teasing flying between the two. It had been such a long time since she had genuinely enjoyed someone's company as much as Alex's.
More drinks arrived and disappeared in a blur of conversation and debates about favorite poets and gothic literature, casual touches on an arm here and there sent shocks of electricity to coarse through Pipers entire body. She was sure Alex felt it too as she noticed goose bumps spring on her arm in reaction to her touch. Piper was so emerged in the remarkable conversation it took a while for her to recognize that the phone that had been ringing in the background for the past five minutes was in fact hers.
She pulled the phone out of purse, 'Polly Harper', "Shit what's the time?"
"Sorry, its uh.. my manager" she said with a grin, showing Alex her caller I.D causing her to laugh, " I should get this" Alex nodding her head and gesturing for her to go ahead.
"Where the FUCK are you? It's past seven! I was starting to think you'd been murdered in the basement of some shady ass bar whilst giving out your resume"
"Oh come on Pol, dramatic much?" Piper replied, " I gave up and had a few drinks to celebrate my lack of career prospects."
"We're supposed to be going out tonight to do that remember? You better be back in the next 15 minutes to start getting ready or I'll raid your closet, you know I've had an eye on those black heels you bought last week"
"Oh no you don't! I'll be right back!" Piper threatened, hanging up the phone, noticing Alex had made her way back to her group of friends. Piper tried to pay the bill but was told by the bartender it had been taken care of. She slowly made her way over to Alex who was giggling at something one of her friends had said, hoping the joke wasn't made at her expense. As she edged closer the conversation at the table came to abrupt stop as all eyes bore into Piper as she approached.
Touching her arm gently to get Alex's attention, feeling the same intense response glide through her body as before, "Hey Alex, sorry I have to go, it was a pleasure meeting you and erm.. thanks for the drinks. I had a good time."
"No problem kid." "Ask for her number… don't be a pussy just ask for her number, it's not every day you meet someone liker her! Noticing the audience of the group sat below observing and sniggering at their interaction caused her to lose every inch of confidence she had gained back since her resume got buried back in her purse, she blurted out, "I guess I'll see you around then" and with that darted for the door into the cold New York air, hoping it would some what ease the burning of her cheeks that had formed due to the embarrassment of her sudden cold feet and swift exit.