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“Dereck.”
When Alina didn’t respond, Taylor continued. “You seriously haven’t realized who resembles your portrait.” She made another sound deriving from between her teeth. “I haven’t seen it, but from the description, it sounds like Dereck. The guy from the other night. You know, the doctor you cursed with a lifetime of loneliness.”
Suddenly, it all made sense. Not only did that wretched man ruin her day, but he was now jeopardizing her work.
“I didn’t curse anybody,” Alina defended. “I was simply announcing his reality.”
“You know,” Taylor began in a taunting voice. “If I didn’t know better, I would think that you are attracted to him.”
“Me! Attracted to Dereck Johnson.” Alina gave a forced laugh and shook her head. “I am definitely not attracted to that man.” Then she paused. “He annoys me more than anyone I know. Maybe that’s why I can’t get him out of my head. But I don’t think of him like that.”
“Oh, so you don’t think he’s sexy in a rough kind of way?” Taylor went down in a low, knowing tone.
Alina spread out her fingers and rubbed her hand on her legs. “There’s no denying that the man has some… sexy… qualities.” She said the words like they were hard to get out. “But the moment he opens his mouth any woman would lose interest.”
“Uh-huh,” Taylor said, but judging from her tone, it was obvious she did not believe Alina, who went into the defense.
“It’s true. The man has one brain cell, and he refuses to use it.” Alina was pressing her fingers against her forehead now.
“I didn’t say no,” Taylor said matter-of-factly. “Listen, how about we meet up later? Meet me at our usual spot and you can tell me some more about not being interested in the sexy doctor.”
There were so many things about her friend’s statement Alina wanted to correct. For one, Taylor didn’t say no, but it was obvious she didn’t believe it. Second, Alina never said Dereck was sexy, and she honestly was not interested in him. Still, confronting Taylor on her play on words was a waste of time. Taylor was deliberately saying those things just to get a rise out of her.
“Fine,” Alina stretched her lip. “I could use a break.”
“Great. Let’s meet at nine. There is something I need to take care of after work,” Taylor said.
“Sure.” Alina kept her eyes on the man cleaning the side of the skyscraper next door. He was about the level of the twelfth floor on a scaffold that looked like it could topple over at any moment.
Instead of returning to her easel to continue her work, Alina headed into the kitchen, where she poured herself a cup of coffee before leaning against the counter as she sipped on the dark liquid.
This was when an image of Dereck flashed into her mind, his bright eyes taunting her and dragging her into them. Alina shook her head and squeezed her eyelids together, making an irritated sound.
“I really dislike that man,” she said and set the cup on the table before heading back to her painting room.
5
After the unproductive day Alina had, she needed to boost her morale. She found that most time, dressing sexy helped with that. Today was no exception. Alina raided her closet and eventually found the perfect outfit for the night. It comprised of a long-sleeved off-the-shoulder top that stopped just below her bottom. The red fabric hung over the frayed shorts that ended in the same place. She accessorized this with black thigh-high boots and a side bag. Her hair was curled and brushed her shoulder as the thin gold necklace with a cancer horoscope pendant hung lower. Heads turned as she walked through the room to settle herself on a stool at the bar.
Alina and Taylor often frequented this bar. In fact, it was where they met after Alina recently moved to New York. The bar’s name was Tipsy, and it was owned by Taylor’s aunt. She was a small woman in her mid-fifties, but no one dared to challenge her. Her facial expression was enough to deter any problems.
The bar was not the fanciest, but it was adequate. There was a long countertop with stools lined to the patron’s side, at the farthest wall away from the door. Before that, patrons came across small circular tables for those willing to enjoy a meal with their drink. The lighting in the room kept the area dimly lit, but it was perfect for drinking with friends. What Alina didn’t like, though, was the fact that the bathroom had a natural stench to it as if it had been soaked in a funk. Still, she supported the establishment regularly.
“Apple martini please,” Alina told the lanky man behind the bar and turned her attention to the phone. She typed a few keys and then sent the message to her friend.
“Can I buy you a drink, miss?” Alina raised her hand to the dashing man in the dark brown suit with olive-green eyes and a contagious smile. His dark hair was clean-cut, and he smelled of spice, a fragrance that Alina quite enjoyed. Alina looked at the man from head to toe but before a smile could frame her lips her, eyes noticed the gold band around his left ring finger.
Alina pointed to the drink that the bartender had just placed in front of her. “No thanks. I’m good.”
“Well, how about some company then?” His smile became seductive as his eyes pierced hers.
“No thanks. I have that too,” Alina said, taking a sip of her drink.
The man was not convinced. “I don’t see anybody else with you.” He turned his head to scan the room. “Come on…” He urged. “Just one drink with a friend.”
Alina held her chin high and gently drummed her finger on the countertop. She hated being rude, but it seemed that rudeness was the only way to get rid of this man who was already taken. “I have many friends but you are not one of them.”
The man’s face suddenly turned sinister. His eyes narrowed as he scrunched up his nose. “Oh, so you’re one of those women that think they’re better than everybody else.” He slammed his hands on the counter and took a step towards her. “It is women like you that sicken me. Snobby bitches like you that give women a bad name.”
