How To Lose A Girl In Ten Days (Chaennie)

Chapter 2

Grounders, though not officially a lesbian bar, is nevertheless a popular place for women to congregate and meet other women. Rosie herself enjoyed coming here after work for drinks with Lisa. So it's as good a place as anywhere to snag herself a girl. Of course, she hasn't tried to pick anyone up in a while (hasn't really seriously dated anyone since that thing with Mark her last year of grad school) and she was a little rusty apparently.

The woman sitting beside her at the bar is pretty and has a nice smile but her voice has a shrill quality that's off-putting. And she seems to like talking even more than Rosie after a few drinks. 

She's not had nearly enough to drink to be actually interested in this woman's (Karen, Rosie reminds herself) story of her first experience riding the subway. Still, she at least tries to appear to be listening, nodding occasionally and murmuring the appropriate responses at the appropriate times.

"All the different rail lines are just so confusing," Karen trills. "I don't know if I'll ever figure them out!"

Rosie smiles, kindly, resting her hand lightly on the woman's arm. "Oh a smart girl like you? I'm sure you'll get it in no time."

Karen giggles at the compliment, waving her off.

"It can be confusing at first, for a non-native," Rosie continues, ready to drop the hook. "You know I grew up here, I could totally show you around the city..."

"Oh really?" Karen gasps. "That would be amazing. I mean my husband has been here before but he's busy with his meetings during the day and—"

"Oh I—" Rosie reels back. Husband?

A man comes up behind Karen, resting his hand around her shoulder. "Hey honey, who's your new friend?"

"Hi sweetie, this is Rosie, she's—"

Rosie stands quickly, offering her hand. "Hi, nice to meet you, uh—" Her face feels too warm and she needs to leave. The man's looking at Rosie curiously and then at his wife, a slow smirk forming as if he sees exactly what's happening. "I should uh—I should leave you two to...enjoy your evening." She gathers her drink and her purse, trying hard not to look like she's fleeing and probably failing. "Karen, it was lovely to meet you, have a good time in New York."

Lisa and Ten are still standing around a cocktail table on the other side of the room. Rosie catches Lisa's questioning eye through the crowd. She raises her left hand and wiggles her ring finger, mouthing the word married. Lisa deflates sympathetically and mouthing back bummer.

How had she not noticed the woman was married? She swore she hadn't been wearing a ring. Rosie sighs, leaning against a pillar, looking around. Across the room, she spots a group seated at one of the few tables. There's a brunette that catches her eye immediately, talking animatedly and punctuating her words with hand movements.

She's beautiful, narrow face with high cheekbones, dark hair lightly curled, dressed is a clean pressed striped button, with a leather jacket spread across her chair back. All pluses in Rosie's book. On the other hand, she's obviously busy and not looking to be picked up by an undercover journalist. She's probably taken anyway, a girl that beautiful didn't stay single for long.

Rosie sighs again, swirling the straw in her glass absently, looking around the crowd. Time to find a new prospect.

***

With the Jung account taken care of for the moment, the meeting with Dara dissolves into general shop talk. Jennie half listens, nursing her drink and going over her game plan. She's picked up plenty of women before, but she can't risk rejection in this case.