The Sackler Trap

Moving Too Fast

That following night Hadley picked me up as promised and whisked me away to Birdland. We sat at a huge table near the back and I met some of the cream of the crop of musical theater. Hadley ordered my cocktail just how he knew I liked it and I smiled in appreciation at him as I took the first sip. He sipped his own scotch, never taking his luminous hazel eyes from me, and I felt a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the liquor.

Harry Cole spotted me and came over. "Julie!" he bellowed, taking my hand in his smooth, almost feminine one. He ran a finger across the back of my hand and I noticed the heavy gold pinkie ring he wore. "Congratulations, my little songbird. You've made it!" 

He smiled at me with dazzling white teeth. Like a shark, I thought. "Thanks. Mr. Cole," I replied demurely.

His bright blue speculative eyes darted back and forth between me and Hadley. "Yes, I think you've definitely traded up, my girl." He laughed at his own remark and walked away.

I felt Hadley's eyes on me, curious, but he was too much of a gentleman to ask. I took a sip of my cocktail and turned to him. "Mr. Cole is such a character," I said lamely.

Hadley only smiled at me, his eyes drifting up and down me. "That he is," he agreed.

The evening was amazing. Hilary Cole, Harry's niece sang and she was wonderful. Sultry, flirty and with a voice like honey and whiskey she had not only the men but the women entranced as well. Hadley took me by the hand and led me wordlessly onto the dance floor, spinning me slowly under his arm. As Hilary crooned "Teach Me Tonight", we came together, his left hand spanning my waist while my right hand rested on one of his broad shoulders. Then along with the other couples we swayed to the music and Hadley pressed me close to him. 

Later, as I knew would happen, we were cajoled onto the stage where we sang a brassy duet of "I Won't Dance" and Hadley kept making faces at me to cause me to mess up my lines. I punched him playfully in the arm much to the delight of the patrons. He kept a proprietary arm about my waist the entire time. 

As the evening wore on and it became louder and people became drunker, Hadley and I slipped away. We strolled down the street, huddled in our winter coats, our breath making clouds in the frosty air. My arm was through Hadley's and I just enjoyed the nearness of him and the sweetly accented patter of his voice.

"Call me lass," I suddenly said stopping and turning to face him.

A funny look came over his face and he frowned then smiled dubiously. "Call you what?" he asked with a laugh.

I touched his lapel with my hand and ran it slowly down to his waist. "Indulge me, Hadley," I whispered shyly. "I just want to hear it."

His grin softened into a smile, his hazel eyes darkening as he looked down at me. They ran all over my face, taking in my eyes, my lips, the flush in my cheeks. He took a deep breath and murmured, "Lass."

I closed my eyes and sighed. Hadley burst into laughter and my eyes snapped open to meet his and then we were both laughing uproariously. He took my arm and we continued walking. 

"And before you ask, no, I do not own a kilt, Julie!"

                                                                                       ***

That night I was almost expecting it. At precisely two on the dot, my silenced phone lit up and I smiled as I slide my thumb across to answer it. 

"Hi Adam," I said.

"Hey, kid," he answered with a smile in his voice. "How many hearts you break today?"

I huffed. "None that I know of."