“I'm going to text you the address to the cafe I'm at. You have thirty minutes to get down here if we really have to do this.” I punch the disconnect button and text her the address, 'cause I'm a man of my word.
Or whatever.
I finish my food, except the eggs. The waitress clears my plates and refills my coffee. In ten minutes, Syd is standing at the cafe entrance, staring at me.
I wave her over.
She drops into the opposite seat, purse thudding to the floor in unison. She's wearing a long t-shirt that has been cut and tied until it's not really a t-shirt anymore and skin-tight black pants. Her cheeks have this glittery dust on them, but she looks way too pissed off to be a fairy.
“Fuck you, Dimitri.”
“No do-overs,” I say.
She lifts her arm to beckon the waitress, but keeps her eyes on me. When the waitress comes over, Syd says in a gentle tone, “Coffee, black, please.”
The waitress walks away.
Syd's voice darkens again. “You don't have to be a prick. I just wanted to explain what happened with the phone number.”
I shrug. “Explain.”
She glowers, then she leans back in her chair. “I had a one-night stand at a hotel once, and later I couldn't find the guy when I thought I was pregnant.”
“Hold up. You said you had that taken care of.”
“Well, I do, now.”
The waitress sets a coffee mug in front of Syd and leaves.
I narrow my eyes. “That thought hadn't crossed your mind?”
Syd picks up her coffee but doesn't drink any.
“Well, if you're all responsible now,” I say, “then you didn't need my number.”
“Things happen.” She shrugs. “I try to always be prepared.”
“Pretty sure that's not what the Girl Scouts had in mind.”
“You were drunk and horny, so I figured it was easier just to grab it off your phone.” She sighs and drinks her coffee, then wrinkles her nose. “This is really bitter.”
I push the bowl of creamer toward her.
She plucks out one of the tubs and pulls back the top. “You know, there's a coffee made from monkey shit. It's like the most expensive coffee in the world or something.”
“Sounds like the high-life to me,” I reply, deadpan.
She smiles, but it only serves to emphasize the bleakness in her eyes.
I could ask why she's sad, and she would probably tell me. I do not like this idea.
She leans forward and lowers her voice. “Since we've got everything out in the open, want me to stop by this evening?”
My first inclination is to say yes, then I remember there is the off-chance Karl might summon me. Unlikely for at least a few months, though.
But I do have that rule against bringing home the same girl twice. The rule isn't usually difficult to keep. Syd, however, is terribly tempting. Even as annoyed as I am with her right now, she just might become the first exception. Something tells me she's burying her troubles, and I'm more than willing to help a good cause.
I drink my coffee, mulling over the presented opportunity. “You got a lot of guys spitting game, I'd imagine?”
She looks stunned, then her cheeks flush. “Yeah, there's a few, I guess.”
“Well, that makes things easier,” I say.
She laughs. “I'm not going to demand an engagement ring for Christmas, if that's what you're worried about.”
“Smart lady,” I say.
“No offense, but I didn't expect to find my Prince Charming at a bar.” She shrugs. “It's just for fun. What about it? You on board?”
I really should tell her to take a hike, but clearly my self-control is on hiatus.
I grin. “Hell yeah.”
***
Eight o'clock that evening, someone knocks on my front door. It's Syd, of course. I don't have many visitors. Any, actually. Except the house cleaners, and they are long gone.
I open the door, but lean against the jamb. “Funny, they don't usually send the same girl twice.”
“I'm the only one who would deal with your stupid ass.” She pushes past me and invites herself into the living room.
I lock the door and turn toward her. “Make yourself at home. All my important documents are in the top dresser drawer.”
“Are you really gonna be a jerk about it?” She puts her hands on her hips. “I thought we were going to fuck.”
“That's what the advertisement said.” I nod toward the hallway, then head for it.
She follows right behind. “You sure you single? This place is way too clean and organized for a bachelor.”
“Positive.” I push open the bedroom door and step back with a gesture. “Ladies first.”
She enters, flipping the light switch on the wall. “Do you live with your mom?”
“Yes, she's downstairs watching Jeopardy. I told her I was having a sleep over.”
I halt in the doorway, taking in Syd's body. Unbelievably, she is back for round two. More unbelievably, I let the little crook into my house again. I still have no idea what I would tell Karl about a hotel charge, though. I will just have to keep an eye on her this time.
“You're lying.” She turns to face me. “There's no downstairs. Is your mom that type who shows up every week to do the cooking and cleaning?
“Can you stop asking stupid questions?”