The Rebound Game

Twenty Eight

I have resumed my seat and currently biting into my last piece of chicken. The lady on my right, Linda, is annoyingly talkative for a married woman. She is about Annie's age and since she joined me twenty minutes ago, she has been going on about her marriage and work.

She does not bother to give me a chance to give an opinion but that is fine by me, because honestly, I don't have much to add except suggest she star in a local reality TV show, which she might not take lightly.

I have not been paying much attention to her but I swear I can write an award winning biography of her flashy life.

"So the other day as I was going out for lunch with my colleague Sandra, you know the one whose husband divorced her two years into their marriage, I saw this babe walk into our building. As we walked past, I heard her make small talk with the receptionist and I had a feeling I knew her. I told Sandra to go ahead and lied that I needed to pick something just to get an excuse to have a closer look at the visitor. Would you believe it was none other than the former Miss World Kenya finalist asking to see my manager?" She says excitedly and I refrain from rolling my eyes.

Like lady, there have to be far much more earthshaking news in your world than a celebrity making eye contact with you.

It gets better.

"I skipped lunch and offered to walk her up our floor and since my boss was not around we had a chat in my office, talked about random things and became fast friends. She even invited me for her upcoming birthday party next month, you should totally come. Here is my number, I forgot to charge my phone."

She fishes her card from her fancy clutch bag.

"Um, I don't think I would be available. I mean, you don't crash parties like that," I shake my head politely as I take the card form her.

I try to catch Annie's eye and work some telepathy magic on her to get this crazy lady off my case. She is having a normal chat with the other lady and her husband.

"She said I could bring two more people. You see, she was totally awed by the collections we had on the first day and since then I have been her personal shopper. We bonded over our love for fashion and in this industry you can learn so much about a person just from their preferences and how they choose to dress. Sweetie, trust me when I say she would be thrilled if you tagged along," Linda blabs having obviously not put two and two together.

"If that's the case then I will text you my number and we can see if I am available on that day."

See why it was a better idea to just lay on my couch, with my morning breath enjoying the peaceful quiet, in the sanctuary of my apartment?

I excuse myself and take the plate to the kitchen. When I return, I find that the bitch has not found her next victim. I am however saved by a pat on my shoulder as I am about to sit.

"Linda, I hope you don't mind me stealing this lady for a few minutes?" It's Ezra who has come to my rescue. I suppress a smile and follow him to the veranda. I catch Annie's eye on my way out and she winks.

"Thank you," I murmur nervously as I pull a chair.

"You are welcome. That lady was obviously boring you to death," he says jokingly.

"You have no idea."

"I have been there before. It's no secret Linda does love listening to herself talk. Perhaps a little too much," Ezra says and laughs breezily.

He briefly scrolls his iPhone and places it on the table. He looks at me in the eye and adds, "I think I found a perfect excuse to borrow you for a few minutes. I was running out of ideas."

"Well, better make those minutes count then." I smirk trying to downplay how much his intense gaze is affecting me.

"You dont mince words, I see. I would really love to get to know you. Perhaps even convince you to meet me for lunch next week,"  he winks.