Chapter 6: I Need To Say Something
1146 Words
I look back at my empty glass, and in that split-second, I make a decision.
"We need more tequila!"
I'm on my feet and making my way towards the bar before Lou has time to respond. I've never done this before. I've never tried chatting a guy up before.
I stop when I'm standing right next to where he's sitting on one of the bar stools. I don't look at him. I don't speak. I just wait for the barman.
My heart is racing with excitement.
I don't know what to do next. I wonder if I should introduce myself or just start up a conversation or maybe I should just glance his way.
Out of the corner of my eye, I can tell his body is leaning towards me, our shoulders touching gently in the crowded space around the bar. I can feel a palpable tension radiating off him and it affects me in a way I've never known before.
I need to say something.
I can't let the opportunity pass me by; I won't waste it. Not this time. Just as I'm about to say something the barman arrives and asks for my order.
"Two margaritas and two shots of tequila with lemon and salt."
I'm ridiculously proud of myself when my voice doesn't screech.
The guy chuckles. His laughter is deep and rich and I like it. It causes me to smile instinctively as if it's an intrinsic part of me to be happy when he's happy. But that's just absurd.
"You sure like your tequila."
I turn to face him, completely speechless. I didn't expect him to speak first and I'm nervous.
"It's a new preference." My voice is quiet, timid.
"I see," he grins, "so before you turned to tequila, what were you?"
"Pardon?"
I'm confused and I'm pretty sure he can see it all over my face and that embarrasses me.
"A gin girl? A vodka girl?"
"Neither; I've never been much of a drinker."
I'm blushing. I can feel it.
I can't decide if it's from embarrassment or something else, something hotter. It's most likely both.
"I'd usually just have a single glass of whatever everyone else was having. I've never had a preference."
"Really?" He doesn't really sound convinced, and in fairness, it is quite unbelievable when I think about the girls that attend my university and even the girls I went to secondary school with.
"Really... This is the first time I've ever been drunk."
"You're not serious?"
His eyebrow is raised, a look of barely concealed surprise on his face. I blush as he looks me over thoughtfully. I don't respond, partly because I don't know what to say and partly because I think he finds me amusing.
I can't help but feel cross that he might be laughing at me.
The barman returns, saying, "That's eighteen pounds, love."
I open my purse but I'm not quick enough.
"Put it on my tab."
I turn towards the guy once more.
"You don't have to do that."
"I don't have to do anything," he retorts with what I can only describe as blatant arrogance. "Enjoy your drinks."
I don't seem to be able to look away from him. I'm confused. I can't tell if he's just dismissed me with that 'enjoy your drinks' or if he wants to talk more, like his body language is suggesting.
"Thanks."
Up close, he looks even better than he did from across the room. He's got broad shoulders and he's wearing a white shirt. His shirt sleeves are rolled up to just below the elbow, showing off strong, powerful forearms.
His top button is undone.
I can see a suit jacket over the back of his bar stool. It looks soft - expensive. His tie is peeking out of the breast pocket, a deep, rich emerald green.
His eyes are bright with excitement and they seem to twinkle as he looks me over.
I'm awkward and completely at a loss as to what to do next. I've never really known how to flirt. I've not ever really tried.
I try to think of something, anything to say but nothing comes to mind, so I decide to settle for another slightly over polite thank you but as I open my mouth to speak, Tallulah grabs me from behind, taking me by surprise.
My eyes are still on the guy beside me as Lou starts nattering about some guy she's just met while I've been distracted at the bar with HIM.
I don't know anything about him. I don't even know his name. I don't know what I'm supposed to do next.
The alcohol in my system is supposed to help with this, right? Make me less inhibited or something but no, I'm still just Aurora Stone, the girl who hasn't got a clue what to do.
"I'm going to go dance with him," Tallulah is saying. "Will you be okay for a bit?"
I laugh because other than the fact that I'm completely overwhelmed, I couldn't be more okay.
"I'm great. Go! Have fun."
For once, I'm telling the truth. Sort of.
Normally, I'd have said those words and then proceeded to sit alone, bored out of my skull, but this time it is different.
I haven't told her what I'm really thinking, that now I have an excuse to sit here with perhaps the most gorgeous man I have ever met.
I just need something to say to him now. If I was a bit more like Tallulah or Aileen, starting a conversation would be a lot easier.
Lou looks unsure but when she sees the guy beside me, she gives me a massive grin and a wink before flouncing off.
"Your friend is certainly excitable." He sounds slightly mocking.
I look up, back into his eyes.
"She's..." It's hard to describe Lou. I really don't know what to tell him so instead, I shrug. "She's Tallulah," I tell him as if that answers all his questions.
He grins.
"And who are you?"
"I'm Aurora. Rory."
I feel like I should be offering my hand for him to shake. That's what my mother would expect me to do. She always makes such a fuss about how you should introduce yourself with confidence.
I settle for rubbing my neck and giving him a big smile as I lean slightly on the bar before taking a sip from my margarita.
It's delicious. Amazing, in fact. I think I've found a favourite drink.
"I'm Landon. Are you going to drink those shots?"
He raises his eyebrow again. I feel like he's challenging me.
"Well... I did get one for Lou but it doesn't look like she wants it."
I glance towards where Tallulah is dancing with a blonde man.
"Would you like one?" I offer him.
"Alright," he says, his eyes twinkling with laughter.
- Writer
