Something Tangible

Matching Green-Eyed Monsters

Washington National Opera presents Appomattox - world premiere of new version by Philip Glass and Christopher Hampton - Nov 14-22

CHAPTER 16: MATCHING GREEN-EYED MONSTERS

Author's Note: I had fun writing this chapter — I think jealousy is such an inherently human instinct, so I enjoy playing with the theme. This is a light-hearted, back-and-forth take but it hints at the more serious cracks that will emerge soon. Remember, Steven is a lot for Katarina to take on — his looks, money and past intimidate her, and she is still healing from a very long relationship, so her issues are explored first, but Steven will also struggle to accept that she shared her life for so long with another man. They're both older and have a ton of baggage, and dealing will that will be the crux of their discovery process.

I hope everyone enjoys this. I'm wrapping up the next chapter, which will have a nice juicy lemon, so that may take me a few days to write.

As soon as they walked arm in arm into the glittering atrium, festooned with bright pink-and-green lights and lush floral centerpieces, Katarina's anxiety shot through the gilded roof.

Oh God, they're all staring at us. They must know what we did in the car! I've got slut written all over me. A pleasantly satisfied slut, but still.

Katarina soon realized, however, that all eyes weren't on her; they were on Steven — and specifically, only the pairs belonging to women. Oh good grief, can't he tone down the sex appeal for just one night?

Unwanted attention was never a problem for Katarina. Her and Matt were the type of couple that blended into the crowd. Being average affords you a welcome cloak of anonymity, she reflected, a stab of pain lancing her at the memories of her beloved ex.

Katarina didn't have long to dwell on her past before she was fending off women accidentally "bumping" into her present.

"Drink?" Steven asked, amused by the women coalescing around him.

"Apparently I'll need one," Katarina replied, decidedly less amused.

Sure enough, every fawning female under the age of 45 converged on the bar, like moths to a flame. Granted, it didn't help that the average age in the room was a plucky 68, elevating Steven's status as the evening's most eligible bachelor.

Bachelor? I guess he's my boyfriend. My too-good-looking-for-his-own-good boyfriend. Katarina threw dirty looks at the swarm of groupies making a beeline for her man.

"Hello, my name is Valencia. My husband is one of the co-chairs of this evening."

Umm, then go join him.

"And I'm Beatrice," her shapely, cougar-esque companion purred. "I'm a longtime supporter of the gala as well."

What you need is a dress to support those floppy tits.

Despite the worthwhile cause, Katarina was feeling less-than charitable at the moment, regretting that she hadn't taken Steven up on his dress offer. Looking down at her basic black ensemble, which stood in stark contrast to the eye-catching fashions in the room, she felt as if her insignificance was on full display.

Katarina's posture tensed, until nimble fingers began massaging the knots out of her shoulders. Steven was in heaven — not because of the attention, but because of Katarina's reaction to it.

Jealousy looks sexy on her. Maybe I should make these women mud wrestle for me? Steven's mind wandered for a second before he looked down at the firebrand who barely reached his shoulders. Don't antagonize her Steven. Katarina's not one of your 25-year-old waifs. She's libel to throw you into the ring and rip your balls off like a damn praying mantis.