Falling For Jimmy

Friday Night

Layla had just spent twenty minutes trying to convince me to meet up at our favorite bar, comically named The Other Bar. I looked at my phone, the speaker button glowing.

"Layla, it's been such a long week! It's Friday and all I want to do is open a bottle of wine and order in pizza," I lamented. January is the longest month in the teaching world. After the long and blissful Christmas and New Year break, I came back to a pile of graded papers, report cards, award ceremonies, parent conferences, and just the exhaustion that is teaching. It was finally all over with and all I wanted to do was stay in, pig out on pizza, and watch Netflix. I've been dying to watch The Marriage Story. I'm a bit obsessive about Adam Driver. I love me a tall goofy guy who has depth.

"Lame! Come on, Evy! You need to unwind; you never go out anymore. You haven't been out since...well...since you and Matt split. Get out, meet a new guy, have rebound sex and send him on his way," Layla crudely stated. She was as blunt as a dull knife.

"Layla! That's not me, but I can tell you are not in a giving in kind of mood..." I teetered on the idea of having to get ready and do my hair.

"Does that mean you're coming?!" Layla squealed.

"Ugh...yes, I'm coming..." I submitted begrudgingly.

"Yay!!! We're going to get you all liquored up my friend! You better put on something sexy!" I could hear Layla practically smiling through the phone. I laughed at her excitement.

"Okay, I'll meet you in thirty. I need to refresh my makeup and hair. "

"Alright girl! See you there!"

As the Uber pulled up to The Other Bar, I applied some lip-gloss. Smoothing my tan, off the shoulder, thigh length sweater dress; I climbed out of the backseat and said goodbye to the driver.

"Thanks Alex! And good luck with the bar exam! You'll pass; I know it!" I grinned at my driver. My friends get annoyed at my ability to connect with strangers, but I love getting to know people.

"Thanks Evy! Have fun," my Uber driver shouted as he drove into the San Francisco traffic.

The city was alive and thriving tonight. Uber drivers and cabs were everywhere. The bars along the pier were full of people, crowds almost over spilling into the streets. I made my way to meet my friends, satisfied with the sound of my thigh high boots on the sidewalk. For some reason, these boots gave me confidence. The looks I received from people walking the pier helped a little as well.

As I finally reached the bar, I could see my friends at our usual seats in the back past the full bar. To my surprise, I was glad I decided to come out. I opened the door and waved to my friends in the back. The place was crowded. People were trying to reach over one another with dollar bills, hoping the sight of green would catch the bartender's attention. I pushed through the crowd, moving my purse out of the way so I could maneuver easier through the sea of people. My hair fell in my face, I pushed it off my shoulders. At that moment, I could feel eyes on me. I looked to my right, where the feeling was coming from, and I locked eye contact with an amazingly handsome olive skinned man. Holy shit! That's Jimmy Garropolo! I thought to myself. I didn't dare say it out loud, although you could probably see the shock spread across my face. It was almost as if Jimmy Garropolo could read my mind because right then he laughed at me and smiled. I tried to regain my composure, looked straight, and then gave him a lopsided smile. As I pushed passed the crowd, pass his table; I looked at him one last time. Sure enough, he was not taking his eyes off me. I could die!

"Hey! There you are!" Layla yelled to be heard over the music when she saw me.

I took a seat next to her and John. "Dude! You are never going to believe who's here?" I exclaimed, grabbing a Corona from the ice bucket on the table.

"Jimmy G? Yeah we saw," Mitch said glumly. "Now no matter what, you know every girl is going to be thirsty for some Jimmy G."

"Aw, Mitch! I still love you," I grabbed his face and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Mitch blushed. He has somewhat of a crush on me. He looked passed me and I saw his eyes grow big. "He's looking at you!"

"He was looking at me earlier!" I couldn't believe it. I mean, I've seen this guy's Instagram. He's been out with supermodels and porn stars...porn stars! Why would he look at me?

"I'm going to go get more drinks. Who needs one?" I double checked that I had my debit card in my wallet. Maybe if Jimmy sees me at the bar, he'll approach me, I thought dreamily. Huh...yeah right! I laughed to myself.

As I made my way to the side of the bar, a few guys let me go ahead of them. I could tell they just wanted to be able to look at my ass, but I didn't care too much at the moment. I really wanted a drink. I felt someone approach my left, and could feel their sleeve touch my arm. I looked down at the tan hand and expensive watch. I raised my eyes and looked through my lashes at none other than Jimmy G. He smiled at me, dimples appearing on his perfect face.

"What are you drinking?" Jimmy asked me in my ear, getting close enough; I could smell his fragrance. He smelled clean and fresh.