The Spinster's Club

ROMY: Seven

"Thanks for coming in Ames. Rachel has an exam to study for before Friday so I told her to concentrate on that. I appreciate you offering to help me out."

"Well, I did suddenly have all this free time on my hands..."

I hugged my friend. Her lame arsed boss fired her the day before, for reasons Amy was still yet to clarify. I knew better than to push her before she was ready to speak about it. I also had my own issues to fret over and I knew that if she shared hers with me, I'd have to share mine with her. That was never going to happen. I mean, it was bad enough hearing David say 'I'm so tired of the perfect women they bring in; I'm glad they have you' without having to repeat it. Maybe Amy would have laughed but the comment had hurt more than I would have thought. I suspected that was because it had been David that had said it.

Trying to break the mood a little, as I let her go I asked "Do you think this time around you could maybe get more of the paint on the walls than on yourself?"

"Hey; I'll have you know I'm an excellent painter."

"Says the woman who practically looked like a Smurf after helping me re-do my kitchen cabinets." I snickered at the memory.

"What can I say? I like to immerse myself into my work."

"Probably a good thing I don't yet need help with the chocolate."

"Bitch" she snarked back with a grin and a toss of the rag she had been using to wipe off the excess paint. It was good to finally see that grin back.

~*~*~

We were just coming up towards lunch when Amy asked me a question that threw me. So immersed in trying not to get paint on anything but the skirting board I was working on, I answered without thinking. My mouth really did have no control button at all.

"So, how was the movie last night? Matt Damon still rocking your world is he?"

"I didn't go to the movies; I went to an art class."

Instantly I froze but never turned around. I hoped that perhaps Amy herself was only half listening and didn't hear me. Of course she had super hearing when you least needed her too.

"Art class; since when do you take art classes? You've been holding out on us."

I slowly got off the floor, willing my face to not be all flushed. I had been up half the night fretting over the incident so the last thing I wanted to do now was rehash it all. I most certainly didn't want to repeat the comment David had made.

"It was the first time. Rachel mentioned it as a way to perhaps get me ready to try my own hand at a mural for that wall over there." I pointed to the one she was currently standing before.

"So, how was it; any cute guys taking the class? Maybe one of them could be the one to help you solve a piece of the pact puzzle."

God, in all of her immeasurable wisdom chose that moment to allow the store door to open and have the man of my dreams/nightmares walk through. I almost fainted.

~*~*~

Frozen in place and my tongue having lost the ability to function, it was left to Amy to break the silence and break it she did, in her normal 'I don't give a shit what you think' kind of attitude.

"Well, hello good lookin'. What can we do for you, even if we're not open for business? I'll be gentle, I promise."

David gave a smile that seemed to be a permanent fixture on his face as he looked at me briefly before addressing Amy directly. "I'm actually here for Romy, although the horrified look on her face tells me maybe I should have called first."

I snapped to attention and got in before Amy could ask anything further. "It's fine, just caught me a little off guard is all. I wasn't expecting to see you again after..."

"...after I saw more of you last night than you would have liked and then made a comment I truly regret now." I nodded, feeling my cheeks must be a deep maroon at this point.

"Ok, what's this about dates and you seeing my best friend last night? And what exactly did you say to her to make her look like she wants to run, or kill you, in equal measure? Romy, didn't you say you had an art cla..." It was like the penny had dropped but I had to get in before she made it into a bigger to-do than it already was.

"How can I help you David?"

Perhaps he sensed my uncomfortableness and the fact that I didn't actually want my friend to hear the details. "Can I take you to lunch; or even just a coffee? I would really like to apologize for what I said."

I wanted to go and I wanted to stay but the fact that Amy was practically salivating at the prospect of news, I decided the leaving was going to win out. More so if she heard what he had actually said and thought that perhaps he might need one of her verbal attacks.

"Sure; can you give me five minutes to clean up first?"

"No worries. I'll meet you out front." Giving Amy a quick smile and a wave he was soon back out the door.

"Don't even" I said to her as I went to quickly wash up. By the time I was walking out the door after David Amy was on the phone texting, no doubt telling the others. I couldn't get away quick enough.

~*~*~

Sitting at a table in the café down on the opposite corner, I still couldn't bring myself to look David in the eye. Pretending to look over the menu as I tried to think of something to say, the quietness between us was becoming more awkward than finding him in the class last night, eyeing off my bare behind.

"Romy, I really do need to apologize for last night. Clearly you were already embarrassed about being naked in a class full of strangers. My comment about using you as a model instead of a perfect woman was uncalled for. I certainly didn't mean for it to come out the way it did."

I finally looked up at him and could see the genuine remorse on his face. Perhaps he had just tried to be funny but in my surprise at finding him in the class and my immense embarrassment, I had taken it to heart. All I could think was it was a good thing I had been gripping onto the sheet with both hands or I might have slapped him.

"It's ok, David."

"No, it's not. I guess I was just so surprised to find you in the class, let alone modelling. I actually spent most of the time thinking up what to say to you once it was over and yet the minute my mouth opened, an insult came flying out."

"Seeing me naked tends to do that to people" I half joked, wishing we could just enjoy our coffee without this hanging over us.

"Hey" he replied, rather adamantly. "Don't do that. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you; despite my comments. I meant it, as backhanded as it sounds. Some of the models they use may as well be just Photoshopped images. It was nice to finally have the chance to paint someone who was real, flaws and all. Isn't that the whole idea of art? Hell, I can't even explain it properly but I want you to know, from the bottom of my heart, I never meant it as an insult."

When he reached across the table and took my hand, I actually let him. He truly did look contrite and in his attempt to explain what he meant, the hurt dissipated a little and I decided to take it as the compliment he seemed to have meant it to be. I was still flushed from the embarrassment of it all but now I was sure that perhaps there was a little part of the flush that owed its heat to the fact that he was holding my hand.

"Thankyou" was all I could manage to say as the waitress came over to take our order.

~*~*~

As we ate, I asked him about being in the class. He had obviously come in and sat down as I was disrobing. Had I known he was in the class I wouldn't have offered to pose, especially naked.

"I've actually been doing it for about six months now. A girlfriend dragged me along and I I liked it. I found it also helps to switch off from work. Some of the things I see on the job literally keep me up nights. Putting my focus into something as basic as painting a fruit bowl actually helps."

My heart sank a little at the girlfriend comment but I let it go. "I can't even imagine some of the things you must see. I'm sure it's all embellished for the sake of the drama but I watch Chicago Fire and some of the things they deal with, and not always fire related... All I can say is thank god we have people like you willing to give it your all to save people you don't even know."

I couldn't be sure but I thought for a second I could see a spot of embarrassment cross David's face. No doubt he heard that sort of stuff all the time but I truly meant it. It took a lot of intestinal fortitude to do what he did.

"All part of the service ma'am" he replied in a dodgy southern accent. I preferred the Irish lilt he normally spoke with. I laughed with him before he seemingly took a moment to think before he continued speaking. "Romy, would you like to come out to dinner with me Friday night?"

I didn't know what to say so of course I said the first thing that popped into my head. "Do you think your girlfriend will mind?"

"I don't currently have one of those."

"Oh, you mentioned... never mind. I would love to go."

His smile was back and it made my heart flutter. His smile; wide, genuine and taking up most of his face; was sweeter than the piece of carrot cake I was enjoying. I couldn't wait to spend more time with it, and him, of course.

"Excellent. I'll call you tomorrow with details." He then dipped back into his own slice of cheesecake, looking for all the world like he had just won lotto.

~*~*~

Walking back into the store some forty minutes later, I found Amy still working away, humming some ridiculous TV show theme as she did so. Unsurprisingly, I noticed that her left foot and half of her calf were now splashed in a lovely shade of Waikiki Blue.

"Amy, seriously; what is with you and paint?"

Giving me her usual mixed look of mischief and pride she answered "It's all your fault. I was texting Cass about getting together tonight and in my eagerness to get to the window to watch you and Fireman Hottie, I stepped in the roller tray. So, how did it go and what exactly did me he mean about seeing you last night? Don't even think about leaving anything out or you will be wearing just as much of this paint as me."

I sighed. "I guess if we're getting together tonight I'll tell you then. I really don't want to have to say this more than once."

"That bad, huh; do you need me to go and slap him one? Or maybe I can do something else to him for you."

Ignoring her saucy wink I shook my head. "You will do no such thing. Besides, I thought you had the hots for the good Doctor Izambard. Don't tell me you've gone off him?"

This time she sighed. "Don't go there" was all she said, choosing to go back to work and leaving the matter dropped. Maybe tonight I would hear and learn more.

~*~*~