The Good Life

Chapter 22

Marla and Fiona waited for everyone to file out. She sat in her chair for a few minutes to take in the aftermath. “That girl Kate is a lucky bitch. He didn’t even look around, he knew exactly where he was going…” she heard one girl say. Another whined about Marla being selected, “She wasn’t even cute. She was old too. Like he couldn’t have chosen one of his younger fans? He even whispered something to her.” “I bet he’s hitting it, “ a boyfriend told his girlfriend as they walked out. Her head started spinning. Her swooning had stopped. I don’t know what I’m doing. MY boyfriend has all these girls throwing their bras at him and I can’t even see him for more than 2 days. I can’t handle it. It’s too much, too much, too much for my little social work world. All I wanted was a normal relationship – someone to wake up to; someone to take care of me; someone to take care of. I can’t, we can’t do any of that. I’m so scared. It’s too much.

“Marley? Are you there?” Fiona interrupted her rationalizations.

“Oh, oh. Yeah. I’m okay. I’m just thinking about all this.”

“I know you are, hun. You know he’s going to tell you to stop thinking about it. And to ‘just go with it.’”

“Ha! You’re right.” Marla retorted.

**

The night ended much in the way Marla had thought it would. They walked backstage were welcomed by smiling faces and lots of alcohol.

“Oh no, not tonight…” Marla shook her head at Phil’s offer when he handed her a shot. She sat down on the couch and watched everyone take a shot and smiled at their happiness. Fiona was already flirting with someone. She wasn’t sure who, but Marla shot her a dirty don’t do it look her way. Fiona rolled her eyes right back at her. Bruno sat down next to her as everyone walked toward their own area of the venue. Phil ushered Fiona his way.

“Hi Kate, I’m Bruno. It’s nice to meet you.” he laughed at her.

“Oh my fucking God, B. You did not have to do that. There were 10 year old girls that would have died. I already have you.”

“But you were the one I wanted to sing to, Mar. You’re always the one I want to sing to.” he gave her a seductive look that he only gives her when he started to drink.

“Oh lord. Stop.” she requested.

“Never.” he laughed an irresistible laugh that made her want to kiss him right there. She stopped herself knowing there was plenty of time to kiss him later in the evening.

Or was there? She never has enough time with him. He’s going to be in Arizona in two days. What the hell. She leaned over smelling the smoke on his breath, sucking it in but not caring that there was no cinnamon anywhere near either of them. She grabbed his shirt with her left hand and took his hair with her right kissing him more deeply than she ever had. It was the first time she had kissed Bruno Mars.