Day #9: Lonely Hearts by Amber Averay
They’d done it! They’d really done it. Sierra was so angry she shook, and bitter tears filled her eyes. Why hadn’t they listened to her? Why couldn’t they just leave her be? She hadn’t wanted them to advertise how lonely she was, how pathetic she felt. They were supposed to be her friends – why couldn’t they appreciate she neither needed nor wanted their help?
Let’s go out, they’d suggested. A girls’ night. So Sierra had prepared herself, making a bit of effort so she wouldn’t completely disappear amidst the effortless beauty of her friends, and it turns out they’d sourced information for a speed-dating night. For them it was a bit of fun, they could drink and giggle and flirt knowing they had someone to go home to. For Sierra, it was a bit more serious. Far more daunting. Her last breakup had been rough, and she’d sworn off everything but the love of her cat, Ming. That had been three years ago. Yes, she was lonely, and sometimes she envied her friends their happy relationships, but it wasn’t worth it. Putting her heart out there wasn’t worth having it trampled, stomped on, seized by a fallacy and ripped apart by truth until the pieces fluttered on the wind like confetti.
As they drew nearer the dimly-lit cafe, Sierra’s steps slowed and she scrambled through possible ideas to get her out of this trap. She could claim Ming wasn’t well – but Claire had picked her up tonight and cuddled the purring kitty, remarking how well he was looking. Her mother was…well, she was fine, and actually on holiday with Sierra’s stepdad for another fortnight. Desperately casting her mind about, she realised she had nothing in reserve, no way of weaselling out of this event.
Claire caught up her arm, squeezing firmly. ‘I know what you’re thinking, Si, and stop it. This is just a bit of fun. We’re all here with you, and you’re not going home with some freaky stalker or mass murderer. I’m coming back to yours afterward, remember? So don’t stress, just try to enjoy yourself. It’s not permanent, it’s nothing definite, and I’m the only one you’re having dinner with later – well, me and Mingy.’
And before she could think of a retort, a reason to leave, Sierra was swept through the glass door and into the flickering candlelit interior. Small round tables scattered throughout the eatery, each one bracketed by two chairs, a single rose in the centre, and jugs of water with empty glasses to the side.
The girls signed in, stuck name tags on their shirts, and were shown to their seats. In a few moments, the men would start coming in and Sierra was terrified. She didn’t trust men at all any more. They were all liars, untrustworthy, sly, evil bastards.
The bell chimed, and she found herself across from an older man who looked like he was the same age as her stepdad. She didn’t bother remembering his name, or the next guy’s, or the next.
She was checking her watch when the next man sat and said, ‘I’m boring you already? That’s a record. I haven’t even said anything yet.’
Sierra almost smiled. ‘It’s not that. I just wasn’t expecting to be here tonight. My friends suggested a night out, and…well, this wasn’t what I had in mind.’
‘But how lucky are you? Unexpected night out, and unexpectedly handsome company. And I have been known to say some interesting things, too. My record is one witty comment per week – and at risk of wildly impressing you, this is my week.’
In spite of herself, Sierra giggled. He smiled back. ‘Just don’t think that was the interesting part – I’ve not reached that yet. But you do have a lovely smile. You should try it more.’
‘You have a curious way of insulting people and yet making it seem complimentary.’
‘Insulting? Never! I think you misheard me – I actually said you are a pretty woman, and when you smile you are utterly captivating. Which is why you should smile more – but only at me. Because it might inspire me to be witty twice this week – and who wouldn’t want that?’
This time Sierra laughed, unable to help herself. ‘You’re incorrigible.’
‘And charming. And I’ve been sort of hanging out to reach your table since I walked in, because you’re the most beautiful woman here and I really hoped you’d smile for me. You just seemed so…reluctant.’
‘I didn’t want to be here,’ she admitted, liking the way his dark brown eyes didn’t stray from her hazel ones while they talked, and how his dark skin was so smooth and well-defined beneath his blue shirt. ‘But…’
‘But you met me and it’s made this whole experience worth it?’
‘Well… You’re definitely the most interesting person I’ve met tonight. This week. Ever.’
‘Ever?’ A flirty smile made her heart flutter, in spite of her warnings to caution. ‘Well, wait until I reach my scintillating quota – you’ll never want to let me go.’
‘I haven’t got hold of you yet,’ she returned, then blushed.
‘Let’s change that now, shall we?’ He reached for her hand, his large one enveloping her smaller one in a warm grip. ‘Now you’ve got me – and you’d better hold on tight.’ Lowering his voice he whispered confidentially, ‘I’ve now got the hand of the most beautiful woman in the room, and I would like to hold on for some time yet. Think we could get a coffee and actually talk? Our time was up a few minutes ago, and I’m getting glared at by guys who think they should be sitting here now.’
Without debating the issue, Sierra rose from her seat and the two of them headed next door – ignoring the knowing smiles of her friends and the catcalls from others that were blessedly cut off when the door swooshed shut.
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