Ava walked into the high rise that housed her office as fast as she could. She was late for an appointment already. She glanced at her silver watch adorning her slim wrist and resisted a growl as she noticed the time. Her mother would be furious. She opted for the stairs and by the time she reached her floor she was slightly winded and a little sweaty. Ava paused at the water fountain and took a long drink before pushing the door to the conference room open. Everyone looked at her. She cringed.
“Thank you for joining us, Ava.” Her mom paused midsentence to humiliate her. She always felt like she was 10 years old when her mother was around. Thankfully, she only came into work about once a month for updates on progress and new investment ideas. Ava smiled as her assistant placed a cup of coffee before her. She gently blew on it and drifted into her own world while her mom said the same things that she always did. An hour later, it was finally over. Ava could feel the release of tension in the room. Her mother frowned at her, demanding that she stay behind so they could talk.
“I called you last night. Where were you?” Ava’s mother frowned as she took her seat and pretended to flip through important papers. Ava took a seat beside her and leaned back in the slightly uncomfortable chair.
“I went to visit with Joseph.” Ava said simply as she nervously bit at her hundred dollar manicure. Her mother swatted her hand away from her mouth and Ava frowned.
“Why are you always spending time with that boy? It is not going anywhere Ava. What you need to do is find a nice girl…” Ava interrupted the speech she had heard a hundred times lately.
“I know, Mom. I am working on it. I promise.” Ava said feeling every bit of a teenage girl. Ava’s mom smiled at her. She didn’t seem convinced.
“Either way, I have a friend from bridge club whose daughter is also, ahem, batting for the same team.” She said awkwardly. “I would like you to meet her.” She raised her perfectly shaped eyebrows expecting full concession. Ava rolled her eyes but she had always had trouble saying no to her mother.
“Okay. When and where?” Her mother grinned in obvious glee which only darkened Ava’s features.
“I will text you and let you know.” She smiled and stood from her chair, which seemed strangely more expensive than all of the others in the room. Ava stood as well and ran a hand through her painfully styled light hair. They walked and talked together until reaching the elevator. Ava’s mom gave her a small hug and they said goodbye.
Ava’s mom called her later in the week with the details of her date. She found herself not even getting nervous. She couldn’t get Jaimie out of her head. She hadn’t seen her since that night. It had been over a week.
The restaurant was not as crowded as she had expected. She glanced around the restaurant and spotted her date based on the searching look in her eyes. Her auburn hair was pinned away from her face and made her blue eyes even more striking than to be expected. Ava approached the table with a smile, but something caught her eye and she stopped. Jaimie stood at the bar talking animatedly to a beautiful blonde beside her. Her hand rested gently on the woman’s arm and a slight stab of jealousy reared its head. She averted her gaze and went to talk to the woman sitting down, but as she did, a man sat in the seat opposite of her. Ava sighed. Crisis avoided.
Ava reluctantly made her way to the bar and waited for her date, careful to steer clear of Jaimie’s line of vision. She ordered a vodka tonic and took a long sip, willing the night to end. She cautioned a glance in Jaimie’s direction and to her dismay, caught her gaze. She willed herself to break eye contact as Jaimie said something to the woman in front of her and made her way towards her.
“Are you an alcoholic or something?” Jaimie asked with a smile, as soon as she was within earshot. Ava resisted the urge to say something rude and sipped her drink instead. Jaimie raised a brow. “Everything okay with you, Ava?” She asked as she leaned against the bar and took a swallow of her cold beer. Ava gave her a slight smile and returned her attention to her glass as if the condensation on it mesmerized her.
“I’m waiting on someone.” Ava said trying not to sound irritated. Jaimie smiled.
“Me too.” Ava looked up with a questioningly.
“Not the blonde you were just talking up?” Ava said with a slight frown. Jaimie laughed slightly at her comment.
“Hardly. She just happened to be standing there. I can’t help but rescue beautiful women sitting at a bar.” She smiled softly and Ava gave her a look that voiced her doubt at the statement.
“Blind date.” Ava stated matter of factly. “My mother’s idea of genius.” Ava tried her best at a smile. Jaimie started to laugh.
“Your name is short for Avaline, huh?” Ava looked slightly puzzled as Jaimie extended her hand. “Looks like I’m your date for tonight.” She grinned.
