Read Online Little Did I Know: A Novel by Mitchell Maxwell - Free Book Online
Authors: Mitchell Maxwell
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were glossed with a tint of red. I found it difficult not to look at her nipples.
I took a moment to collect myself then, because I couldn’t stand the suspense, said in a voice that didn’t sound like mine, “Veronica at the White Cliffs. Funny how I found my way here only to find you. It does seem strange that you passed on my invite but ended up in the same place as if you had agreed to join me.”
“Coincidences do happen, you know. This is a small town and there aren’t a great many options to occupy a rainy night.”
I took a long pull on my beer and reveled in the irony.
“This is my friend Kellie,” she said. “We go out together often to keep each other out of trouble.”
Kellie wore a pink halter top and low-hung, tight, new blue jeans. Her red hair was the color of an Irish setter’s, and it framed her face perfectly. She had soft, slightly freckled porcelain skin and bright-green cat’s eyes. She wore a touch of lipstick and no jewelry other than a charm bracelet on her right wrist.
She offered her hand and said, “So this is Sam August, Veronica’s newest topic of constant conversation. Six foot four’s worth of temptation, trouble in extra large.” Then she added coyly, “It is so nice to meet you. I wish we had more time to get acquainted, but it’s almost eight and I suddenly remember that I have an early appointment in the morning. A girl has to get her beauty rest.” She stood up from her bar perch and patted the seat, making sure I would sit down.
I stared at Veronica for a long time. Inside I was smiling all the way to my toes. Maybe the “charm riff” had opened the door. She stared right back as though we were in a contest to see who might blink first.
“So, Ms. Chapman,” I began, “other than being—how can I say this nicely?—a mindfucker, what else would you be willing to share now that we’re here by ‘coincidence?’”
Veronica tapped the bar top and in a whispered shout to the bartender said, “Sidney, two tequilas, and back ’em with a beer.” Then she added with a flourish and a beaming, happy grin, “Make it snappy, my good man!”
Sidney bowed slightly, offered a knowing grin, and set about preparing our drinks.
“Isn’t this place fabulous?” she said turning to me. “Don’t you feel like you’re in a fairy tale and you must get home by midnight before the coach turns into a pumpkin?”
Sidney brought the drinks and kissed Veronica on the cheek. Introductions were made. He was sixty, if not older, with a pleasant, round face and bushy gray hair that circled his bald pate. He had obviously spent years in the sun and his spotted, deeply creased face showed the damage of the elements. Tall and fit, he carried himself like a former athlete. He had an easy smile and a firm handshake. We sized each other up and then Sidney said, “Good to meet you, kid. College boy, huh? You be nice to my girl here or there’ll be hell to pay.”
He took Veronica’s hand in his and looked at her with great fatherly affection. “If you need anything else, honey, just let me know.” Then he pointed at me with intensity in his eyes and returned to his business.
Veronica picked up her shot glass and suggested we toast. Clink.
“Who’s driving us home?” I asked.
She paused while raising her glass and said, “As of yet there is no ‘us,’ and this one drink is where it ends between you and me. Sidney can call you a taxi if need be. She tilted her head slightly and gave me a breathless look that melted my heart. “Are you going to drink with me or not, big boy?”
With the question hanging in the air, we began to drink very slowly, our eyes never leaving one another’s. I was glad I had not bedded Lizzy Barrows that morning in what now seemed a long, long time ago.
I paused, then lifted my beer glass to toast Veronica. We clinked again and drank. I could feel the heat rising from my feet all the way up to my soul.
11
A nd so the evening had begun.
I took a moment to collect myself then, because I couldn’t stand the suspense, said in a voice that didn’t sound like mine, “Veronica at the White Cliffs. Funny how I found my way here only to find you. It does seem strange that you passed on my invite but ended up in the same place as if you had agreed to join me.”
“Coincidences do happen, you know. This is a small town and there aren’t a great many options to occupy a rainy night.”
I took a long pull on my beer and reveled in the irony.
“This is my friend Kellie,” she said. “We go out together often to keep each other out of trouble.”
Kellie wore a pink halter top and low-hung, tight, new blue jeans. Her red hair was the color of an Irish setter’s, and it framed her face perfectly. She had soft, slightly freckled porcelain skin and bright-green cat’s eyes. She wore a touch of lipstick and no jewelry other than a charm bracelet on her right wrist.
She offered her hand and said, “So this is Sam August, Veronica’s newest topic of constant conversation. Six foot four’s worth of temptation, trouble in extra large.” Then she added coyly, “It is so nice to meet you. I wish we had more time to get acquainted, but it’s almost eight and I suddenly remember that I have an early appointment in the morning. A girl has to get her beauty rest.” She stood up from her bar perch and patted the seat, making sure I would sit down.
I stared at Veronica for a long time. Inside I was smiling all the way to my toes. Maybe the “charm riff” had opened the door. She stared right back as though we were in a contest to see who might blink first.
“So, Ms. Chapman,” I began, “other than being—how can I say this nicely?—a mindfucker, what else would you be willing to share now that we’re here by ‘coincidence?’”
Veronica tapped the bar top and in a whispered shout to the bartender said, “Sidney, two tequilas, and back ’em with a beer.” Then she added with a flourish and a beaming, happy grin, “Make it snappy, my good man!”
Sidney bowed slightly, offered a knowing grin, and set about preparing our drinks.
“Isn’t this place fabulous?” she said turning to me. “Don’t you feel like you’re in a fairy tale and you must get home by midnight before the coach turns into a pumpkin?”
Sidney brought the drinks and kissed Veronica on the cheek. Introductions were made. He was sixty, if not older, with a pleasant, round face and bushy gray hair that circled his bald pate. He had obviously spent years in the sun and his spotted, deeply creased face showed the damage of the elements. Tall and fit, he carried himself like a former athlete. He had an easy smile and a firm handshake. We sized each other up and then Sidney said, “Good to meet you, kid. College boy, huh? You be nice to my girl here or there’ll be hell to pay.”
He took Veronica’s hand in his and looked at her with great fatherly affection. “If you need anything else, honey, just let me know.” Then he pointed at me with intensity in his eyes and returned to his business.
Veronica picked up her shot glass and suggested we toast. Clink.
“Who’s driving us home?” I asked.
She paused while raising her glass and said, “As of yet there is no ‘us,’ and this one drink is where it ends between you and me. Sidney can call you a taxi if need be. She tilted her head slightly and gave me a breathless look that melted my heart. “Are you going to drink with me or not, big boy?”
With the question hanging in the air, we began to drink very slowly, our eyes never leaving one another’s. I was glad I had not bedded Lizzy Barrows that morning in what now seemed a long, long time ago.
I paused, then lifted my beer glass to toast Veronica. We clinked again and drank. I could feel the heat rising from my feet all the way up to my soul.
11
A nd so the evening had begun.
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