LITMIR.BIZ

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my beer when Rachel walked in, wearing a towel tucked closed over her breasts and another as a turban on her head. Her slender arms raised and she began rubbing her hair with the turbaned towel. “Hey, I thought you’d be later…”

      “I didn’t have to work late after all.” I’d suggested a subject for an article today. The sub-editor, Hilary, had liked it, the editor, Keith, had even shown some interest. The asshole owner of the magazine, who’d happened to be in today, had thrown my idea out, saying it was stupid. He didn’t even know anything about editing. He was only the money behind the magazine. It was like a game to him. I’d been put straight back in my meaningless place.

      “Well, if you were seeking money to pay the bills I ran up on your card last night, don’t panic, I’ve got a job, your investment was worthwhile. I start my first shift in an hour. It’s only a few hours tonight but If they like me they’ll give me more.”

      She looked so pleased with herself, her expression touched something in my chest. I smiled. She smiled back. A full, genuine, bright, wide smile.

      I lifted my beer a little. “Congratulations.”

      “Thanks. It’s a restaurant, on Henry St. Why don’t you eat there tonight? I could serve you.” She gave me the cheeky grin she’d given me last night when she’d been asking my opinion on her satin thongs. She had a wicked streak. I’d learned that yesterday.

      The conversation I’d had with Mom on the way home from work repeated in my head. “Darling, Lindy is worried. Are you sure you know enough about this girl, you don’t know where she’s come from or why she was even on that bridge. She could have done anything.”

       “Mom, I think she’s a good person. She needed help. I’m giving it to her.”

      I couldn’t believe Lindy had panicked Mom so badly. When Dad complained and discouraged me, Mom would convince him to give me a chance to try things out. That’s why they’d helped fund my apartment. She’d wanted me to stay at home, but still she’d encouraged and helped me to come to New York. She was selfless, and she’d brought me up to be like that. Coming to New York was the first thing I’d done just for myself. And look where it was getting me; even Mom was taking sides against me now.

      I sipped my beer, then nodded. I never went out. It would be good to get out again. “When does your shift end?”

      “Eleven.”

      “Then I’ll run first and come in at the end of your service. I can walk you home.”

      A soft look added depth to her green eyes for a moment, and her smile turned from bright and sunny to warm. “Thanks, I’d appreciate that.”

      “You’re welcome.”

      She walked forward, and then her index finger came up and flicked my tie. “You know, your Lindy should appreciate you a little more.”

      I laughed. I didn’t know what else to do, because, actually, I was seriously turned on as she swiveled round and walked away. She had nothing on beneath those towels and I knew her body was hot as hell; I could remember every detail of it from when I’d seen her in the bath.

      Fuck, I was going to have to keep a tight hold on my libido. Perhaps we should stop sharing a bed. I was physically constantly aware of her near me, even though I slept.

      I heard her getting ready, she sung to herself the whole time. I doubted she even knew she was singing. She just sounded happy, almost carefree.

      I got a snack to go with my beer, to give me some energy to run on. Then she was in the living room again, wearing her tight black skirt and white shirt.

      She looked great, really good. “You look beautiful. You’ll knock ‘em dead.”

      It was the first time I’d commented on her looks and instantly a pleased expression crossed her face, implying she was glad I thought her pretty. I wondered for a moment if I’d made an error, if I’d been misleading her by being nice, and she was taking this all the wrong way. But then she smiled that easy happy smile of earlier and winked at me. “Thanks. Looking beautiful is what I do best. I do try.”

      She turned away briskly after she said it, grabbed the coat I’d bought her off the peg, and walked out, lifting a hand before she went out the door, shouting, “Bye, see you later.”

      God, was that the same Rachel Shears I’d found on a bridge, freezing, shaking, and silent, only two days earlier.

      Lindy said I’d changed. But I hadn’t changed as quickly as that.

      I finished my beer and snack then went to put my sweats on. I was going to go for a long run. I could get my thoughts in order when I ran. No matter what was going on in my life, everything seemed to slip into perspective when I was running.

      ~

      When I walked into the restaurant, I saw Rachel leaning over the counter talking to some guy. She was smiling broadly, and laughing a lot. The guy was laughing too. Then he handed over a note, and wished her goodnight, before walking away.

      Well, she’d told me earlier being beautiful was what she did best, but she hadn’t ever tried that sort of charm on me, not yet anyway.

      She caught sight of me and her smile went from a fake, exaggerated expression to what looked like a real pleased-to-see-you smile.

      I nodded and she hurried around the counter.

      “Where’d you like to sit, sir? Here by the window?”

      Ah, so we were playing strangers. She probably didn’t like to admit she had a friend dining here on her first night.

      “Did you have a good run?” she whispered as she drew out a chair for me. “You smell nice.”

      I looked up at her as I sat. “I had a shower, and yeah, thanks, I had a good run.” My answer sounded husky but I was enjoying the conspiratorial feeling.

      “I’ll fetch you a menu,” she said more loudly.

      “Thanks, and I’ll have a beer.”

      “Okay, coming right up, sir.”

      She made me laugh. She was overacting this great waitress stuff, but she’d obviously done waitressing before. That was the third thing I knew about her.

      In a few moments she was back with my beer and a menu. “I’ll be back in a moment to take your order. I’ve just got to serve those people first.” She spoke in a more normal voice this time, and gave me a be-patient smile.

      I’m sure anyone watching would notice that smile implied she knew me.

      The thing was though, she didn’t really know me, and I didn’t know her at all.

      I sipped my beer from the bottle and watched her serve. My blood was still humming from my run. I felt energized and good. Running always made me feel good, and I’d run for miles tonight.

      She was back over to me in a few minutes.

      “Have you decided what you’d like?”

      “Yeah, a bacon and cheese burger, with fries and salad.”

      “A feast. Still, you can get away with it, there’s no fat on you.”

      “Like you…”

      “I know, I’m skinny by nature, I can’t put any weight on no matter what I eat. I gave up any hope of curvaceous years ago.”

      I laughed wondering how we’d gotten back on to each other’s appearances. I was attracted to her, but she was one of those women you’d have to be blind not to be attracted by.

      “It’s on me by the way. I’ve already earned enough tips.”

      “You don’t have to––”

      “No, I do, you’ve done enough for me the last couple of days.”

      “Well,

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