Dinner went a lot better and smoother than Jennifer had expected. Not only because the restaurant wasn’t too pricey, but Russell also proved to be a funny, respectful and very attentive person. When the check arrived, he tried to take care of it. His point was that he had been the one who had invited her out, but Jennifer was having none of it and insisted on paying her own way. Russell didn’t argue. It was clear that he understood that it wasn’t about money. It was about pride, and he totally appreciated that.
The time was approaching 9:30 p.m. when, just as they ordered coffee, Russell asked Jennifer if she would like to go for one last drink. He told her that he knew this Mexican bar, less than a block away, which served the best Mezcalita he’d ever had.
Jennifer had no idea what a Mezcalita was.
Russell explained that it was simply a Margarita made with Mezcal instead of tequila.
Jennifer looked back at him with the same blank stare. She clearly didn’t know what Mezcal was either.
‘Oh, you definitely need to try it then,’ Russell insisted. ‘It will change your world. Trust me. And please…’ His chin dipped down ever so slightly. ‘Allow me to get it.’ He immediately lifted a hand with his index finger pointing up before Jennifer could contest it. ‘One drink… let me buy youonedrink, especially because you’ve never had a Mezcalita before, so you might notlike it. It’s unfair for me to ask you to spend money on something you don’t know and might not enjoy.’
Jennifer pondered over Russell’s words. She couldn’t argue that he had a point. She got to her feet.
‘Let me go to the bathroom and I’ll think about it, OK?’
‘Sounds fair,’ Russell replied with a single nod.
Jennifer didn’t really need the bathroom. She needed the mirror.
‘What the hell do I do?’ she asked her reflection, as she placed her hands under the cold tap.
You go and you get that drink with him, that’s what you do.
‘Why?’
Two reasons.
Jennifer waited.
One – you like him. He’s probably the first man in forever who has treated you like a human being instead of a piece of meat.
No counterargument from Jennifer there. ‘What’s the second reason?’
You could do with some real sex tonight, you know what I’m saying?
‘Fuck you!’ Jennifer flipped the mirror off, dried her hands and returned to the table.
‘OK, one drink,’ she told Russell, the expression on her face telling him that she meant it. ‘I have to work tomorrow morning.’
‘That’s a deal. One drink.’ He quickly finished his coffee. ‘If you like it, we can go back some other time for more, what do you say?’
Smooth,Jennifer thought, trying to curb a smile.
‘IfI like it,’ she replied, as she too finished her coffee.
Russell grabbed his blazer jacket and, as she stood up, he held Jennifer’s chair for her. They exited the restaurant and rounded the corner into a semi-deserted, badly lit street. As they did, Jennifer paused for a second. For a moment, she felt as if her legs had threatened to buckle under her weight.
‘Are you all right?’ Russell asked, gently holding on to her right arm. There was concern in his voice.
‘Umm…’ Jennifer tried to gather herself. ‘Just felt a little bit woozy, all of a sudden.’
‘What, from that single glass of wine you had?’
‘Probably.’ She placed her left palm against a dark pickup truck parked just ahead of her and took in a deep breath.
The wooziness didn’t go away. In fact, it came back with renewed strength.
Russell reached for the keys in his pocket and unlocked the truck.
