don’t mind making the first move. But I need a man who knows what he wants and the man that I want, the man that’s right for me, the man who makes it onto my roster, is the man who will make it clear that he wants me.”
“So, rule number one is don’t chase him, but you want him to chase you?” Lilith asked.
“No, no.” I waggled my finger. “I don’t want him to chase me. I want him to pursue me. I want him to make his intentions clear. If he asks me for my number, he’s showing me that he’s interested. If he asks me on a date and follows through, he’s showing intention.”
“Sometimes shy guys just need an opportunity to show you what they can do,” Lilith reasoned. “You know, waiting for the go-ahead to take the bull by the horns.”
“I hear you. I do. But…” I made a face. “For me, shy does nothing for me. And if I have to take him by the horns to get what I want, I feel like I’m forcing it and him. I just imagine having to do that the entire relationship and that’s not for me.”
Kia pointed at me. “That part! If I have to hold his hand and talk him through every step of dating me, what purpose is he serving really? I’m doing everything!”
“Speaking of…” Lilith whispered, cocking her head to the right. “Isn’t that your ex?”
I followed the direction of her head and saw Owen making his way over to us. I pursed my lips but remained silent as Kia turned around to see who we had spotted.
“Kia!” he called out, lifting his free hand. A bouquet of bright red roses was in the other.
Turning back toward us, she picked up her drink. “I’ve never seen that motherfucker before in my life.”
“Kia!” he called out again as we snickered. He approached the table and looked around. “Hi,” he greeted us. “Kia, can we please talk?”
“No,” she replied flatly.
“And we’re back! Bringing our next artist to the stage,” the host announced, quieting the crowd. “Harley is new to the area…”
“Please,” he begged. “I love you.”
With a withering stare, Kia turned to him. “Go home to your pregnant wife,” she barked.
Because of the hushed crowd, the sound of her voice carried even further and even the host stopped speaking. Owen’s jaw dropped. After a moment of silence, the crowd reacted.
“Boo!” a group of women nearby jeered.
Another table hissed and booed as well.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the host called out. “Now this is awkward. But you know what’s not awkward—Harley!”
Owen looked mortified as the three of us stared at him blankly. When I glanced around, most of the lounge had switched their focus back to the host. But the tables closest to us were fully invested in the drama unfolding at our table.
“Do you really want to do this?” Owen questioned Kia in a hoarse whisper. “I’m only there for the baby. I want to be with you.”
“First of all, you ain’t shit and I want no parts of”—she lifted her hand and gestured flippantly at him— “you and what you have going on. Second, we were done the moment your pregnant wife called me.” Her lip curled in disgust. “Never speak to me again. Fuck you.”
His face fell and he took a step back. Harley’s entrance to the stage caused everyone else to cheer. But it was Owen finally walking away that had our table clapping enthusiastically.
We flagged down a waitress and ordered more drinks.
“Here’s to the single life,” Kia announced, holding up the shot. Her eyes were a mixture of hurt and anger, but she smiled anyway.
I held up my glass. “To the single life.”
“To the single life!” Lilith cheered.
Our glasses clanked and we turned our attention to the stage. She had a good voice, but I didn’t care for the song. My mind started to wander, and I found myself thinking about those light brown eyes again.
Why didn’t he ask me for my number? What was holding him back? Who is he?
Pulling out my phone, I went to one of my social media accounts and searched his name.
Of course, I grumbled internally as the private page taunted me.
There was only one local Saint Anderson that showed up in the search and the profile picture was just the Greek letters of a fraternity. I assumed it was him, but honestly, I didn’t have enough information to go on.
“Let’s get another round of shots,” Lilith suggested, lifting her