Sonata

Prelude-2

“At least the weekend wasn’t a complete wash,” Aubrey huffed and pushed her plate of fries away. “Here. Eat these.”

Ian smirked at her over the plate. “Does it make you feel better to make me eat them? You could just not order them, you know?”

Aubrey lifted a perfectly manicured nail and pointed it like a dagger. “Never mind turning the conversation from your weekend to my eating habits. Besides, if you eat them I get to steal a couple and not consider it part of my actual dietary consumption for the day.”

He frowned at her and she cut him off with a wave. “Don’t try to understand, Ian. Just eat the damn fries.”

“Anyways,” she tilted her head and softened her face back into a brilliant smile. “You were telling me about how you got laid by a stranger I believe…”

“No,” Ian corrected. “I was telling you that I laid a stranger. But semantics aside, yes, I had s*x and no, the whole weekend was, in fact, a complete wash.”

“But you had s*x,” Aubrey deadpanned.

“And?”

Aubrey shrugged. “I dunno. Doesn’t that like—” she twirled her hand in the air. “Relieve pressure in you guys or something?”

Ian dropped the fry he’d been gnawing on with a look of disgust. “All it did was piss me off, to be honest.”

“Piss you…off…” Aubrey rolled her eyes. “You’ve got to be the weirdest man I’ve ever known, you know that?”

Ian rolled his own right back. “Gee, thank you.”

“No, seriously. What? Why? Tell me. Fill me in. Explain to me this crazy world inside the head of Ian.”

“If I wanted a f**k, I’d go buy one,” Ian growled. “I finally get some cute guy to look my way and he flat out tells me to go f**k myself when we’re done. What the hell, Aub? Am I that much of a loser that—”

“Quit it,” she snapped. “You’re not five. No pouting.”

“I’m just sick of being alone,” Ian said, trying not to whine, failing epically.

Aubrey reached across the table and patted the back of his hand. “At least you’re getting out and not sitting around waiting for Maddie to show back up. I can thank Christ for that much at least. Besides, don’t give up on anything yet, luv. There’s nobody and nothing saying you’ll never get to see this guy again, right?”

Ian dropped his shoulders and glared at her. “How?”

Aubrey groaned. “Stop being an obsessive-compulsive boor. The universe doesn’t owe you anything, Ian. So when it hands you a favor, just say thank you. Don’t sit there and whine that it wasn’t enough.”

“This from the woman who says her ex-husband’s biggest downfall was the size of his paycheck,” Ian pouted.

“Not biggest,” Aubrey smirked. “Just one of. And that was my husband. Not a pretty stranger offered up as distraction.”

“I’m not looking for a distraction,” Ian sighed. “I’m looking for a relationship.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “Then stay out of the bars.”

“Bah,” Ian pushed the plate from in front of him and turned his attention to his glass of wine. “Being single sucks.”

“Apparently.” Aubrey smirked. “It also f***s in random encounters.”

“Ba-ha-ha!” Ian burst out way too loud, obnoxiously toned and completely mocking. He ignored the head swivels from the tables around them and frowned at Aubrey. “I’m serious. I’m not good at this…” He waved his hand in the air trying to find the right words.

“Meeting of people?”

He pointed at Aubrey triumphantly. “Yes! That!”

She smiled and made a pen motion in the air towards the waitress, summoning their bill. “On the contrary, Ian. You met someone just fine. He even let you f**k him for the effort. You just couldn’t hold his attention. Maybe your issue is more in the keeping-of-people department as opposed to the meeting-of-them.”

“Ouch.”

Aubrey tsked and reached for Ian’s hand. “Oh, come on. I was teasing.”

“No, no,” Ian pulled away. “I’m sure Maddie would agree with you in a heartbeat.”

“Madison was an asshole. And a whore.” Aubrey handed her credit card to the waitress without even bothering to check the interior of the proffered billfold. “That you managed to keep him as long as you did is medallion worthy. Monuments should be built to your patience and forgiving nature.” She gestured wildly, “f*****g sonnets should be written. Musical scores—”

“I get it,” Ian waved her off. “Not only am I am obsessive-compulsive boor who can’t hold anyone’s attention, I’m also an idiot.”

“Your words, not mine,” she grinned.

“I loved him.”

“I know, hon.” Her voice softened. “Life’s a bitch.”

Ian huffed a half-chuckle. “Just like Maddie.”

“Zing!” Aubrey trailed her finger through the air with a laugh. “That’s much better! Now, let’s make our mood swing official and go get shoes or something.”

Ian lifted his glass of wine, drained it, and stood with a flourish. “After you, m’lady.”

She followed suit, flicking her hair back dramatically and clinging to his arm. “Why thank you, sir.”

They ignored the other patrons as they sashayed to the exit.