Merlot

Merlot

What's a woman to do when she’s been alone for so long? My name is Mia. I have spent the last three years learning how to be alone. A widow at 38 years old, I never in my life imagined my husband being gone so soon. It wasn't the greatest of marriages we fought more than we made love but it was my marriage and when he passed away I found myself unsure how or when to proceed with starting a new relationship. Or if I even wanted to.

My best friend and coworker Lily would bug me every Friday about going out to a bar or club with her to “meet someone” I wasn't sure if that was the type of man I wanted to meet. My husband had been quite a drinker and I was thinking maybe I should try a different type of man this time around, avoid the bar scene.

I finally gave in one cold Friday night in January. It had been a long week and I was thinking maybe going out for a drink would be nice even if I didn’t find “the one”. After work I ran home and changed from my work uniform, meeting a man in my scrubs didn’t sound very appealing. I set out to meet Lily at her favorite watering hole “Allies.”

We met at a corner table where Lily had already ordered us a couple of beers. Lily was always fun to be around and after a few we were joking and laughing, singing along with the jukebox.

This was her place, she didn’t own it but she spent plenty of time there, and she knew everyone. Most of whom stopped at our table to say hello and introduce themselves to me.

Lily was not shy at all and she tried to fix me up with every guy that stopped at our table. Except one. There was a handsome man sitting on the other side of the room. He was with a group of friends and they were talking and laughing. He seemed to be the guy everyone loved to be around. Guys and girls were drawn to him. They laughed at his jokes and the whole time I was watching he was watching me. He tried to hide it but I could see him looking away every time I glanced his way.

I hadn’t felt this stirring of attraction in a very long time. A slow burn began and I was not sure I wanted it to stop. I tried asking Lily about him but she would just brush off my questions with a quick nod and smile saying “ah he’s a tough one, never sticks with anyone long.” I asked what she meant but she just shrugged.

I walked over to the jukebox alone while Lily was outside smoking a cigarette with some friends.

My intention was to get a closer look at him without being too obvious. He had beautiful dark eyes and his dark caramel colored skin had a sensual glow that I could not take my eyes off of, I needed to meet this man. I knew I couldn’t let the night end without knowing his name.

As I scrolled through the songs on the jukebox I felt a presence behind me, thinking it was Lily I turned with a smile to ask her what I should play. As I spun around he was there standing very close behind me, so close I could feel the heat of him against my back. I liked it; a lot.

“Umm hi” I stumbled awkwardly.

“Hey beautiful” he said. He was not awkward at all. “What are you playing?”

“I’m not sure,” I said, “I actually thought you were my friend Lily come to save me and help me decide.”

He laughed “Lil is still outside” he said “looks like her ex is out there, maybe not much of an ex anymore.” he laughed.

I looked at him “ah damn, so you know Lily?” I asked.

“Yea” he said “I mean who doesn’t she’s like an institution around here, she’s been coming here since the place opened.”

I turned my attention back to the music as I started to scroll through titles he moved closer reaching his hand past mine and quickly typing in a song. I smiled at his choice and we continued picking a few more songs like we were trying to outdo each other's choices. We were soon laughing and picking some really silly music.

The first song he chose came on then, a soft and romantic country song.

He gently took my hand from the jukebox and led me onto the dance floor. He said quietly “dance with me.” it was half question half demand. I just nodded. We moved slowly, his hand on the small of my back leading me through the dance like a pro. He was smooth and he smelled amazing. I leaned into him and he did not disappoint he held me closer. We were silent as we danced.

When the song ended he asked if he could buy me a drink. “Sure,” I said. “Under one condition.”

“What are you drinking?” he asked laughing “what’s your condition?”

“Tell me your name.” I answered laughing. “I’ll have a glass of chardonnay.”

He smiled then, a beautiful sweet smile that took my breath away, I smiled in return and

said “well?”

“Everyone just calls me Davis,” he replied.

“O.k. But what is your name.” I insisted. “My mom calls me Vern, she named me Vernon after her brother who died really young. I just go by Davis, my middle name. I never liked the name Vernon.”

“Oh I see, well Davis thank you for the dance, you're a very good.” I said.

“You’re welcome, and what might your name be my dear?” he asked with a grin.

“Mia my name is Mia,” I said.

The bartender asked what we’d like to drink. Davis ordered 2 chardonnay’s. “Sorry darlin’” she said in her sugar sweet voice as she gave Davis a look and a wink, “no chardonnay left, only wine we have tonight is merlot.”

I have him a shrug “sure, why not” I said.

“Ok two merlot’s then” he said. She handed us our glasses and we made our way to the table I had been sharing with Lily. Who by the way still hadn’t come back in.

We sat quietly at our table in the corner and sipped our wine and got to know each other.

I was so taken by this man, he was smart and funny and so sweet time flew by and before we knew it it was last call and the bartender stopped by to offer us a final drink. We sipped on our last glasses of merlot and I realized I hadn’t seen Lily or checked my phone in hours. He had me under a spell like I’d never been in my life.

“I should really check on Lil” I suddenly blurted out.

“Yeah of course” he said.

I checked my phone and there were about a bunch of texts from Lily.

-hey girl Jack came by wants to get back together

-i’m thinking why not

-hey sorry i’ve been outside so long talking to Jack

-just came in to check on you, dancing with Davis very nice

-hey Mia looks like you and Davis are hitting it off

- hey Jack and I are taking off sorry I really don’t want to interrupt you and Davie boy call me tomorrow

I had to admit I was a little pissed she didn’t tell me in person. Why would she leave without saying anything to me?

Davis saw the look on my face “what’s up?” he asked.

“She left with Jack and never even said anything to me! She was supposed to drive me home. I don’t usually drink!” I said quietly upset about her disappearing act.

Davis looked at me in apology “umm it might be my fault” he explained “she and I have had a weird relationship for years. We dated in high school and I kind of broke her heart back then. We’ve been friends since but it’s weird when I like someone else, she acts kind of weird. Sorry I should have stayed away.”

“No it’s ok thanks for explaining I asked her about you and she never said anything, just avoided my questions. We have been best friends for years and she never told me about you.” I replied

“It's been a long time I think it’s safe to move on don’t you?”

Davis laughed “yeah I believe so.”

“Can I ask what happened between you two?” I asked.

“Sure, of course” Davis replied “we started dating in sophomore year, at the end of junior year I met someone else, a senior I broke up with her before junior prom to go to senior prom with the other girl, I know it wasn’t nice but I never meant to hurt her, and I never cheated, we just weren’t good together, we fought a lot.”

“Oh well I guess shit happens” I said. And I laughed. “I suppose she and I will have to have a talk tomorrow. Damn that still leaves me without a ride home!”

“Don’t be silly I’ll drive you home.” Davis said.

We finished sipping our glasses of merlot and stood to leave. He grabbed my coat from the chair behind me and held it for me, leaving his arm around my shoulders as we headed for the door.

We walked in silence to his car and he held the door for me as I got in. I watched him walk around to the driver’s side door and took in his cool confidence and beauty as he got into the driver’s seat. We made small talk as I directed him to my place. When we arrived at my house he parked.

“So can we call this a first date then?” he asked.

“Sure” I replied “don’t first dates usually end with a kiss?”

“Absolutely they do,” he said as he leaned in and kissed me. Not a peck on the lips but nothing pornographic either, but still a sensual kiss that left me weak. I hadn’t been kissed in so long.

“Good night miss Mia” he said as he kissed my hand.

“Good night mister Davis” I replied as I leaned in and kissed his cheek.

“See you really soon” he said as he drove away.

I hope so, I thought to myself.

I really like this man. I must because I really hate merlot.