Downhill

19

"I think you do," he said, letting go of my arm. His warmth immediately was gone as though it was all in my head. By the time I turned around he was a block away with his phone pressed to his ear.

Did I imagine that? Holy heck. And if I did, my imagination better end with us sweaty and naked next time.

I must have looked like a total weirdo standing in front of the bodega like some sort of food voyeur. So I decided to go the opposite direction that Jacob just took and kept my tour moving.

A few hours and some mental gymnastics later, I was back at the apartment with plans to meet Liz for dinner. Of course, she needed to bring her harem, so I called around for a four top close by.

When I saw them already at the table when I arrived, I was struck by how comfortable they all seemed around each other. How they had a natural vibe even in public.

I sat down beside Liz so that the two men were opposite us. Liz immediately started in on how she hates this part of town. Her complaints stopped mid-sentence when she stared over my shoulder.

"Fuck. It's my dad. He uh doesn't exactly know about Kyle. Ya know...too. Fuck," she was absolutely frantic.

"Should we leave before he sees you?"

"Fuck," she said, turning to the boys. "Kyle you're with Chuck."

"Wh-?" I started, but immediately felt a presence beside me.

"Lizzy. Funny to see you on this side of town," Jacob said from above me, causing me to crane my head around. "Oh, and Charlie. Nice to see you. Both of you of course. And who..."

Hold on. Charlie?

"Hi, dad!" Liz overzealously greeted her father. "Um, you know Jacques from our trip. And this is Charlie's date, Kyle."

Greetings went around the table as I ground my teeth. Now it looks like I'm dating this snowboarding banker. I'm sure Jacob was judging me quite harshly right now. And I felt bad until...

"Jakey! And Elizabeth!" Mitzi said as she floated over to us.

"Jakey?" Liz laughed and quirked a brow. "Do I know you?"

Ah, fan meet the shit. Time to hit the head...

"Charlie, do you know her?" Liz poked me as I was placing my napkin on the table. I pivoted my head so quickly, I'm sure I will be sore in the morning.

"Will you excu-" I started.

"Charlie?" Mitzi asked. Clearly a little surprised by all the revelations at the table. "But you said you were Elizabeth when you were out to dinner with Jacob. You aren't..."

I saw the lightbulb go off over her head as she did some quick algebra. Skimpy dress, calling him daddy, etc. x + y = slutty younger woman.

Mitzi turned to Jacob. "And you let me think.... And she was in your building....Is she your...mistress?" She said the last word on a hiss.

I looked over at Liz who was practically in tears from laughter. "Mistress? Chuck? Uh, hardly! Who is the lady, dad?"

Jacob looked like he had seen a ghost as the color drained from his face. "Mitzi this..."

"Fuck you, Jacob Harris," Mitzi fired off at Jacob, slapped him and turned on her heel.

"D-dad," Liz was nearly choking on her laughter. "What the hell?"

"She thought that Charlotte was...my daughter. And since uh, I didn't want her to think...uh...that I was out with a woman half my age...I uh let her," he said, elegantly dancing around the topic.