Queen B

Know Your Enemy: Part 4

You pluck up the glass and make a beeline for the person at the bar. They watch you approach, an easy smile on their face.

"You came back," they smile at you. "I was beginning to worry you might not."

"I had to at least thank you for the drink," you say. "And besides... I couldn't just leave you all alone. A gorgeous person like yourself, left unaccompanied? Now that's a crying shame. Lucky for you, I'm generous with my company."

You wink, and they chuckle, resting their jaw on their knuckles and looking up at you with a captivated expression.

"You're clever, aren't you?" they ask.

"About time someone noticed."

"Oh, I doubt in the first one. You're pretty hard to miss."

Their eyes travel the length of your body in a way that makes you feel... let's go with special. You feel pretty damn special right about now.

"Especially dressed like that," they continue. "I'm Ian/Ida."

"Hi, Ian/Ida. As previously discussed, I'm clever."

They hold out their hand, and you slip yours into it. Their warm palm enfolds yours, sending a tingle shooting through your arm.

"What, no name?" they ask you.

"I think I'll make you work for it."

"And I think I'll enjoy doing just that. It's a pleasure to meet you."

You release their hand and slide onto the seat next to them.

"What I'd like to know is what someone like you is doing here. You're clearly not from New York."

"What gave me away? Was it my unmatchable wit?" you ask. "Not to be rude, but so far I've found the people around here to be... a little dim. Present company excluded, of course."

"Compliment taken. And while your wit is certainly refreshing, there's a little more to it than that," they say. "I'm not sure how to explain it. You just have an air about you, a certain radiance that doesn't feel weighed by this city."

"You're full of compliments, aren't you?" Your flirty smile quickly turns into a frown. "Honestly... I had a run-in with someone earlier. She was elitist, cruel, and... well, I'm not easily rattled, but I guess I'm not used to people like that."

"I know the type you're talking about," Ian/Ida says. "I see them all the time in my line of work. All that entitlement is the perfect recipe for a headache. That's why I was so surprised about how you handled the bartender. I've gotten so used to people treating each other like verbal punching bags. It's good to know there are still some genuine people in the world."

"Is that why you're here drinking alone? Long day at the office?"

"This is more like... preventative medicine. I've been away for a while, spent some time in Belize, and I start back on the job bright and early tomorrow."

"Belize, huh? It must be tough getting back to work after being somewhere as beautiful as that."

"Actually, it's surprisingly easy. I love what I do. It lets me pursue my passions."