The waiter brought Eve another margarita, and this time she sipped, enjoying the tartness as it mixed with the salt from the rim. She usually relished that fine combination, but everything was still so dull. She took a few more sips, hoping for some color to seep back into her world. The alcohol was relaxing her, but color remained elusive.
As some of the tension lifted, she began to think about climbing out of her funk. That had to be her main objective today. Life hadn’t somehow stopped just because she had. It was still spinning endlessly around her, and she needed to jump back on that merry-go-round before she forgot how. After all, she had goals. Ambitions. And she’d always been driven, come rain or shine. That hadn’t changed.
“Maybe you’re right,” she said. “Maybe I need to move on from this.”
“You don’t sound like you’re convinced.”
“I just don’t know how I’d do it. How can I get her from my mind?”
“Isn’t it obvious? You need to do what everybody else does when they need to forget someone. You need to get back on the horse. You need a date.”
Eve shook her head. “That’s the last thing I need.”
“No, it’s exactly what you need. A new woman will definitely get your mind off of Olivia. And some seriously great sex, well, that will blow Miss Goody Two-shoes right out of your hemisphere.”
Eve frowned, letting her know she didn’t like the comment.
“Okay, I’m sorry I called her that. But come on, hon. Hop back on that horse. I’ve even got someone in mind for you.”
“Karen, you don’t get it. Olivia isn’t just another woman. She’s an experience. Those precious moments I had with her…let’s just say I won’t be able to forget her by going on a date or two.”
“You say something like that and you don’t want love? And you don’t want to even consider that what you’re feeling is headed that way, or that you might possibly already be there?”
“Karen, come on.”
“I just want to be sure.”
“Love means losing yourself and it leads to commitment. You know how I feel about that.”
“So, no love.”
“No love.”
“Not even with this woman.”
“No.”
“Then I don’t know what to tell you as far as forgetting her. Maybe you should obsess on something else. Work out more. Throw yourself into your fitness.”
Eve laughed. “More than I do now?”
Karen shrugged. “It’s something you love to do.”
“How long have you known me? You know I’m built like a Mack truck. I have my father’s physique and I can very easily build muscle.”
“Yeah, so?”
“So, look at me. I’m already pretty jacked, Karen. Any more and I’ll look like the Terminator. I like classic Arnold and all, but that’s a look I’d rather pass on, thank you very much. It just isn’t me.”
“That surprises me a little. I never thought I’d hear you say that there’s a level of fitness that is ‘too much.’”
“Yeah, well, I am. I’m happy where I’m at.”
“Must be nice.” She curled her fingers and pretended to study her nails. “Being all physically perfect and everything. I, of course, wouldn’t know.”
Eve rolled her eyes and let her continue, knowing she was going to playfully pick on her.
“Most women wouldn’t know. But I guess that’s what keeps you in business. Keeps you in demand. Our inability to attain perfection.”
“Oh, my God.”
“And so in you swoop to save the day. Like a superhero. To, you know, help all of us less fortunate souls.” She covered her heart with her hand. “What’s it like, Eve? To be so wonderful? To make such a difference in so many lives?”
Eve looked at her for a moment with a straight face. “Exhausting.”
Karen burst out laughing. Eve joined her with a little laughter herself and it felt good.
Their waiter appeared again, and Karen wiped her eyes.
“Don’t mind us. We’re just a little happy. And now that you’re here, well, we’re very happy, aren’t we?”
He smiled but looked a bit uncomfortable. “Did you ladies want to order a meal?”
Karen leaned toward him. “I think it’s the margaritas. You know what tequila can do to a woman.” They were only on their second drink and had been there for close to two hours. She was far from intoxicated.
Eve cleared her throat and gave Karen a stern look before answering the young man.
“No, thank you. We’re fine. We’re ready for the bill when you get a chance.”
Karen ignored her and winked at him. “You get what I’m saying, sweetie?”
He nodded quickly at Eve and hurried away.
Eve kicked her beneath the table.
Karen jerked and squealed. “Ow, what was that for?”
“Can we go anywhere without you verbally accosting the male staff?”
“Oh, come on, he’s cute.”
“Yes, and now he’s scared shitless as well.”
“Oh, he’s just shy. And I’m just being playful.”
“Playful? More like aggressive bordering on harassing. Why don’t you just skip the banter altogether and grab his ass?”
“Don’t tempt me.”
“Karen.”
“Oh, stop.”
“You can’t be so, I don’t know, creepy. Not anymore.”
“I’m not creepy. I’m just a very friendly, very wealthy, and very lonely older woman.”
“Who comes on to younger prospects like a very wealthy, very lonely, very creepy older man.”
She reared back. “I’m not that bad, am I?”
“You’re getting there.”
The waiter returned with their bill and Karen graciously apologized, which still caused a blush. They didn’t bother to finish their drinks before they stood. Karen was obviously embarrassed and she tried to make up for her behavior by leaving a sizable tip. More sizable than usual.
They left the restaurant and walked quietly to their vehicles. Eve took in the fresh air, feeling a little better. Her head felt clearer and the world seemed less heavy. A breeze tickled her face and whipped her hair, and she thought how nice a long walk might be.
They came to Karen’s white Mercedes convertible. “You feeling any better, sunshine?”
“I am, thanks. And thanks for the drink and the…talk.”
“I’m always honest.”
“That you are.”
“And so are you. Thank you for pointing out my misbehavior.”
Eve shrugged. “It’s what we do.”
Karen slid on her sunglasses. They were large, white, and Gucci. No doubt purposely chosen to match her car.
“I know you don’t want to over obsess over your fitness and turn into the Terminator or anything like that, but I still think my other idea is a good one. You should go on a date and meet somebody new.”
“Oh, Karen, I don’t know. Honestly, I’d probably just compare anyone I met to Olivia.”
“But, hon, how long are you going wait for these feelings to go away? It may take months, Eve. You don’t want that, do you? You want out of this pit now, right?”
“I do.”
Karen patted her cheek. “Then trust me. Mama knows best. I’ll set the whole thing up; all you have to do is show up.”
“Wait, what?”
“She’s fantastic. Gorgeous, driven. Right up your alley. And…she’s been single for a while. Which means she’s probably hungry for a little monkey business.”
“Karen, I—”
“Don’t say another word. I’ll call you with the details.” She grabbed her shoulders. “Now give me a firm embrace and tell me you love me.” They embraced, and Karen squeezed her so hard it almost hurt. “That’s it, there’s nothing like a good bit of bones on bones.” She pulled away and kissed her fingertips and then pressed them to Eve’s lips. “See you soon, kid. Be good.”
Eve closed her door after her. She waved as she backed out and drove away. Eve walked to her vehicle, hoping Karen would forget about the setup. She would’ve protested more, but she was tired of the fight at the moment. She settled into her Tahoe and dug her phone out of her purse. The screen lit up with a missed call and a voice mail. She started her SUV, muted the music, and dialed in to hear the message. She was looking forward to going on that long, peaceful walk, and she knew exactly where she wanted to go to do so.
But everything came to a sudden and slamming halt as a familiar voice came from her phone.
“Hi, Eve, this is Olivia. You know”—nervous laughter—“from the mountain. I just called to—I was just wondering how you were doing. I’ve been thinking a lot, and—I don’t know. God, I must sound like an idiot. Anyway, if you have time and you want to, give me a call back. I hope you’re—you know—doing well. Thanks. Bye.”
Eve’s heart pounded, and all the sadness and disappointment she’d been feeling vanished, along with her decision to try to forget and move on. All of it was gone, up in smoke, almost as if it had never even existed.
She was aware of what was happening and that she should heed Karen’s words or at least take the time to consider them more, but she couldn’t. Rational thought and good decision-making seemed to have vanished right along with her sad feelings and Karen’s advice.
A new, more vigorous excitement lit her up inside, and that was all she could feel and focus on.
She replayed the voice mail and allowed Olivia’s voice to feed the fire of that excitement, to bring her back to life.
When the message ended, she tossed her phone into her purse and sped from the parking lot. She tried to control her speed as she drove, but she was too wound up. She was going home to call Olivia, something that had seemed totally impossible only minutes before.
She couldn’t believe it. She couldn’t believe that Olivia had called, and she couldn’t believe her own reaction.
Women just didn’t get to her like this.
But just like she’d told Karen, Olivia was different.
She had more of something in her than any other woman Eve had ever known.
Something that drew Eve in above all else.
Heart.