Just Business

Chapter Sixteen: David

"Sorry for not replying," David read out loud. "Was in a rush, Ivy had an emergency. My evening is going very well, what about yours?"

"That's a good reply," Amanda said, nodding. "By asking a question, you know she wants to keep talking." David was sitting at the bar, not on shift. He was alone, drinking a Page Turner and thinking about Marcia. Amanda, who was on shift, had taken pity, and they were having a stop start conversation when she wasn't dealing with customers.

"What should I say back?" he asked.

"What do you want to say?" Amanda asked.

Please come back and pick up where we left off, was David's gut reaction, closely followed by what's your favourite cuisine and flower so I can plan our first date.

"Would it be too much for me to invite her for a drink here?"

"Probably would make her think you just want a shag, given this is also your house," Amanda pointed out.

"It's her house as well," he sulked.

"You see her everyday," Amanda pointed out, rolling her eyes. "Can't you not handle waiting until tomorrow."

"I can," he said, "but what if I don't want to?"

"Then you're shit out of luck."

Amanda started serving someone before David could say anything back. He looked back down at his phone, deciding what to message Marcia.

D: Just a bit boring. Ended up coming down to the bar just for something to do.

He didn't have to wait long for a reply.

M: If I was at home I'd come and keep you company.

D: Oh? Hitting the town and betraying our baby?

D: The Tell Turner Heart I mean

M: Haha. At Ivys. Needed a debrief after the Donnie and Richard stuff.

He wanted to ask if they were also talking about the David stuff, but he wasn't sure how he would feel at any answer. In Marcia's mind was there even any David stuff?

D: Reached a final verdict?

M: Nope. But we've got ice cream and Ally's just rented the notebook. Think we're all exhausted from trying to figure out how men work

D: If you three ever need a man's point of view just ask away.

M: Why? Do you know one?

David snorted as Amanda reappeared. She held out her hand and without either person saying a single word he handed his phone over. She scanned the messages, smile growing wider.

"I like her even more when she's putting you in her place."

"Of course you would," David said, taking his phone back.

D: Does anybody ever truly 'know' a man?

M: oooh he's getting philosophical

D: If the shoe fits in the sealed box with the cat

"Do you want another drink?" Amanda asked, motioning to his empty glass.

"Better not," David replied.

He did not make a habit of drinking alone, especially not at his own bar. Although he enjoyed alcohol, he was not willing to make it a vice. When alone he limited himself to two, and tried to not go out too many nights a week. Besides, he was now in the mood to watch The Notebook. As the opening credits rolled his phone buzzed again.

M: No hurting cats!!!! Stick something else in your box

D: No cats were harmed in the making of that bad philosophy joke. Also guess what I decided to watch.

He snapped a picture of his laptop screen, set up on his desk in the approximation of a TV.

M: OMG. Have you seen it before?

D: Loads.

D: Ma's fave film.

M: She did seem like a woman of good taste.

D: Duh, she raised me.

M: You did make a cool pub.

David's chest swelled with pride. If he was any younger he may have rolled onto his stomach and kicked his feet in the air.

D: So you think I'm cool

M: Woah hold up

M: I didn't go that far

D: You're not denying it

M: It's called being nice

M: You could try it some time.

D: I'm lovely

M: Oh yeah? Prove it.

D: I could if you'd let me

David sent the message, and watched as the interface confirmed the message had been sent, then read. Marcia started typing, then stopped. A minute passed. David put down his phone, trying to focus on the film. Another minute passed, and another. It was too much. He picked up his phone, cursing himself and wishing he could delete the message. Just when he was about to start crafting a message in his note app to distract from the whole situation, Marcia texted him back.

M: How exactly would you prove it?

M: Maybe I'll let you if I know what I'm in for

David froze, his mind short circuiting. Somehow, he typed a message: Did I not prove it enough last night? The message flashed on the screen, his thumb hovering over the send button. Then, he backspaced.

D: I think I proved it by giving you those drinks for free.

M: Haha that was very lovely of you I suppose

M: But now I'm co owner stop giving away stock

The tension snapped in his chest, unfulfilled. Whatever electrical charge had come over the messages dissipated, and they went back to the usual platonic banter. Marcia and David ended up texting late into the night, all through The Notebook and then Mean Girls.

The best part of the evening was when Marcia commented that she would make a very good mean girl, seeing as she was wearing pink.

D: Show me then

M: What?

M: Why should I?

D: I want to see if its pink enough

D: This is Regina George we're talking about. She wouldn't accept some pink detailing or whatever

Marcia sent a picture. It was a baby pink and white striped PJ set, with a silken tank top and little shorts. Marcia had taken the picture from a great height, and her head was angled up at the camera to make her smile seem even wider. The angle also showed off her chest, their gentle swell making him swallow stiffly. A bolt of longing shot through David's chest, and he envied Ally and Ivy for their easy access to Marcia like that.

M: Not my normal style. They're Ivys

M: We've stayed later than I thought we would

D: Whats your normal style???

M: Wouldn't you like to know ;)

And just like that, David knew he would do anything to find out.