Strictly Pleasure

Part 4

In the weeks that followed, Heidi didn't return to Strictly Pleasure. The interaction faded from Jek's mind, dwindling in his thoughts as the months passed.

Maybe that's why his heart stuttered when he saw her. It had been so long, he'd forgotten her. But not entirely. He just didn't jerk to attention every time Strictly Pleasure's door opened, didn't watch and wait for her to walk through his doors again.

And she hadn't walked through his doors. She just stood by his fucking table while he, sitting across from his companion, was on a godsforsaken date at a lavish restaurant.

He had met Niana online, through one of the many dating apps. She was pleasant enough, pretty to look at, and - at times - clever. She also made him work for any illicit photos or dirty texts they exchanged. He liked it when people didn't just give him things.

The two of them mildly enjoyed the same shows, the same music, the same movies. Once upon a time, she had been part of a beatniky scene, which he thought was close enough to his own past indulgences for commonalities.

Now he just had the illogical desire to sink into the floor and disappear forever. The quiet atmosphere, the gentle music, the luxury of everything grated at Jek more than it had before. Especially with Niana watching him as he stared at Heidi.

"Welcome to the Coriander Tiger, I do hope your evening is well." Next to the table Jek shared with his date, Heidi smiled. The wait staff uniform of a white button-up and dark slacks did little to hide her plump curves. As if the way the forest green half-apron had to be tied higher up, where her thickness tapered at her waist, wasn't evidence enough.

To her credit, she didn't flinch under Jek's attention. Heidi watched the momentary shock light across his features - his green eyes widening just slightly behind his glasses - before he managed to rein it in, masking it behind an easy smile. Or maybe she hoped for that little bit of surprise. That would have meant he recognized her. Remembered her as she remembered him.

Quite honestly, she probably imagined it.

Especially seeing the person sitting across from Jek. A tall, athletic, elegant chimerakin with long dark curls and piercing gold eyes inset into black sclera. Even their skin was like warm gold, Heidi thought. The lion-like ears atop their head swiveled to sounds while their feathery ear-like appendages fluttered. They wore a white dress beneath a semi-sheer yellow-gold shawl. Far more flattering than what Heidi currently donned.

There was no doubt in Heidi's mind that this was a date. Perhaps not even a first date. It had been months since she last saw Jek. Maybe that was why she had to fight her very eyes to keep from looking over at him, dressed in a nice black button-up with top buttons undone and black slacks. It certainly wasn't the chest hair peeking out from his shirt or how he had rolled his sleeves to his elbows that kept her attention. Certainly not.

"Tonight, the chef recommends the croque-monsieur and the tomato caprese. All of our wine is imported from France, aged for twenty years or longer." Thankfully, her rehearsed script let her engage auto-pilot as she handed over the menus. She watched as Jek and the chimerakin looked over the print as she waited.

Once the drinks were ordered, Heidi beat as hasty of a retreat as she could while maintaining a prim image. While Jek stared down at his menu, his eyes couldn't help but follow her departure. When he could no longer see her, his attention focused on what to order.

x x x

In the safety of the kitchen, Heidi exhaled heavily. She must have been holding her breath that entire time, she realized. The busy nature of the back, with pots clanging and other waitstaff sliding in and out of the kitchen, helped to center her. This was work. Professionalism and politeness had to be maintained. She couldn't get flustered over a failed sexual conquest being seated in her area.