Tequila Sunrise
"I liked your presentation. Can I ask you some questions over coffee?"
"Glad you liked it, but no thanks - I already have plans."
Although Lara enjoyed giving presentations, it was the book signing afterwards she dreaded. Too often the title of her self-help book, 'Take Control of Your Life', was misinterpreted by men in the audience as an opportunity to practice their chat-up lines. Many saw the week-end conferences as a time for a secret dalliance and fancied their chances with the speaker. But that was not Lara's way.
Their smarmy lines reminded Lara only too vividly of her failed relationship with Matt. Their interests were similar but not overlapping - his was business and photography - hers was psychology and art. To their friends they appeared to be well suited but with time underlying differences and tensions emerged. She thought there was commitment - he didn't. She thought there was honesty - he had no qualms about lying. The final straw came when she discovered his photography sessions included more than just taking pictures of the nude models.
The split was nasty and Lara felt deeply hurt and betrayed. But instead of wallowing in self-pity, she used her experience and training to advantage. Her book on taking control of your own life became a best seller and soon she was a sought after speaker at business conferences. However, with respect to men and relationships, the words 'never again' were always on her mind.
Although she had enjoyed her intimacy with Matt, Lara knew that for her, honesty and emotional compatibility were much more important and critical. She certainly was not interested in becoming someone's secret throw away fling.
So now the stock answer to these unwanted invitations was, "Glad you liked it, but no thanks - I already have plans." If she was not needed later in a conference, Lara's plans would be to head home rather than stay over. It was on one such return trip home that she was involved in a car accident.
At a downtown intersection, the light was red so she had stopped. The shiny black BMW behind her had also stopped. Unfortunately the driver of the van behind that car was looking at his phone and ploughed into the car so hard it had shunted forward and hit Lara's car.
Before Lara could even undo her seat belt, the BMW driver was at her window. "Are you alright? Are you hurt? There was nothing I could do - the van behind hit me and pushed me into your car."
"Thanks for asking but I'm OK. I saw what was happening in my mirror and braced myself. But I guess we need to exchange details for the insurance. I'm Lara Petro. I'll get you one of my cards." Lara reached in her bag and then stepped out of the car to look at the damage.
"I'm Kelvin March and here's my card."
When Lara looked at the BMW she saw there was someone in the passenger seat. "Is your companion OK? She does not appear to have moved?"
Kelvin reassured her, "Alexie's fine. A bit shaken but otherwise just annoyed. We were going out for dinner and she'd spent a long time getting ready. She might need a moment or two on her own, if you know what I mean."
As they surveyed the two cars a policeman came over. He had been parked on the other side of the road, had seen the full incident and confirmed that the van driver was fully at fault. Unfortunately, he also expressed the opinion that with respect to the two cars, neither vehicle was now in a safe state to continue. They would both need to be towed away. For safety reasons, he advised them not to stay in the cars and that they should perhaps wait in the coffee shop across the road.
Alexie did not consider a latte and a chocolate muffin a suitable alternative to the fancy dinner she'd been looking forward to. She remained in a huff while Lara and Kelvin talked freely. Their friendliness towards each other only increased Alexie's bad mood and Kelvin was not looking forward to the aftermath of this evening.
* * *
Kelvin's position as a project manager with a large consultancy firm meant he often worked at the client's offices. It was at one such job he had met Alexie. She was gorgeous, single and had made a strong play for Kelvin's attention. Since he was also single, he did not object and soon they became an item. After only two months, she effectively moved into his apartment and took over his life.
However, he soon discovered that she could display amazing mood swings and she appeared to be much more interested in being seen with him than being with him. When his job took him away to various events to which she was not invited, she even suggested he should change job. An unlikely option.
As part of his training to become a senior project manager, Kelvin was sent on a two day workshop on team development. To his surprise, one of the guest speakers on the opening evening was Lara. After the accident, he had bought her first book and this evening he was so enthralled by her presentation he decided to purchase her second book.
While waiting in the queue to have her sign it, he heard her stock refusal to invitations, "Glad you liked it, but no thanks - I already have plans."
He needed a different approach. "Fancy bumping into you again - if I recall correctly, it's a cappuccino with two sugars?"
Lara looked up, recognized Kelvin and with a smile changed her reply, "A much nicer way to meet - no damage this time. Yes please Kelvin - you're right - it's two sugars. But just wait - I won't be long here."
When they sat down with their drinks Kelvin remarked, "You weren't down as one of the speakers - I would have noticed. I was impressed by your other book."
"The speaker was taken ill and they asked if I could step in at the last minute. I didn't have time to check the attendees or I would have contacted you. Is Alice here with you?"
"Alexie, actually. No she doesn't come to these events."
"You're still together though?"
"Yes. She wants me to change my job and I'm not keen. But otherwise we're fine. And how about you?"
"Just the same - quite happily on my own. It'll take a special man to get my attention and from what I see, all the good ones are taken and the others can't be trusted."
Kelvin smiled, "I noticed that sentiment in your other book where you state - 'without honesty and trust - a relationship is just a convenience'. Many in my line of business appear, unfortunately, to choose the dishonest convenience option. Talking of business, how is the art side working out for you?"
"Well thanks. Not only am I selling some but I'm now teaching art at adult education classes."
"That's great - are you enjoying it?"
The conversation continued to flow easily and Lara wished Kelvin was not still with Alexie. But he was taken and therefore out of bounds.
As eleven o'clock approached Kelvin stood up, "I've got some work to do for tomorrow. Are you running the workshop?"
"Yes, so you better be a good boy."
"I'll try. See you tomorrow then." And Kelvin went upstairs alone.
Lara found herself being strongly attracted to him. Apart from his good looks, she felt at ease with him. He had not tried to make a pass or in any sense hit on her. She realized that 'never again' might be too strong but only if she could find an available person she could trust.
* * *
The concept of trust became a major issue for Kelvin soon after he returned home from the workshop. Alexie saw the book he bought at the workshop and confronted him. "What's the meaning of this? When were you going to tell me about your fancy lady? This book's signed by the author 'To Kelvin, With memories, Lara'. I thought you could be trusted and yet this is what you are up to when you're away? I just don't believe what a fool I've been."
"Alexie - look at the author - she is the lady we bumped into - that's what she meant by 'memories' - memories of the crash. She was one of the main speakers and I bought her book. That's all."
"That's all you're going to tell me, is what you mean. You've probably kept her business card she gave you at the accident. How often have you been meeting her? I just can't believe this. And I trusted you but not now - how can I when you are willing to tell me such lies."
"Alexie - phone her up and ask her. Nothing has ever happened."
"Yeh like I'm going to ask her 'did you sleep with my man?' No she'll just lie to me as well - the conniving bitch. And you fell for it."
Kelvin thought about the line in Lara's other book - the line about trust, honesty and relationships.
"If you think I'm lying to you, which I'm not, why are you still here? If your opinion of me is that low, what kind of a relationship is this? I just don't -"
Alexie stopped him mid-sentence. "Don't worry Kelvin. I'll be gone within the hour. There is no way I'm living with a liar like you. You're such a -- I don't have words to describe my feelings. Just shut-up and let me pack."
Kelvin sat down and said nothing more. In his mind he knew Lara was right. If there is no trust, there is no relationship and he was not going to try and stop Alexie. He decided not to ask her about the five day Mediterranean cruise he and Alexie had booked as she would just tell him to take his 'fancy woman'.
The apartment felt quiet after she left and he looked up the cruise details. They had been due to sail in three weeks and the contract was clear - no refund within 28 days. Since he had already arranged holiday time, he decided he might as well go, even on his own and just enjoy the break.
Although he did think about Lara, he could hardly ask her to go on a cruise with him when they hadn't even been on a proper date. He admitted to himself that he was attracted to her but equally he didn't want to hear her brush off line, 'No thanks - I already have plans'.
* * *
So three weeks later, on the day when the cruise liner set sail and he stood alone at the upper deck cocktail bar, Kelvin was at ease with himself. He saw the cruise as a time to plan what he really wanted out of life. But then a soft whisper broke his peace and quiet.
"Ordering just one drink? Not two?"
Kelvin recognized the voice and swung around, "Lara? What are you doing here?"
"I'm part of the ship's entertainment crew. I'll be teaching art classes in the evening. So where's Alexie?"
"Short story - she's gone. Long story - she read the inscription you wrote in the book and accused me of lying and cheating. She didn't believe anything I said when I told her nothing had happened."
"Oh I am sorry - I didn't mean anything to come between you two. Oh damn - you must be really angry with me. I'll go."
"No please don't. I thought about your words on trust and relationships - no trust - no relationship. You were so right."
"When Alexie left, you should've called me - if you still have my card."
"I do have it - and I wanted to call you - yes - certainly. But I couldn't presume that you would particularly want to see me."
At his words Lara felt a warm tingle scurry down her spine. A tingle that told her to stop being so obstinately stupid. She listened to that tingle, leant forward and planted a soft kiss on Kelvin's lips. They were warm and receptive.
"If you feel like ordering two drinks, mine's a Tequila Sunrise."
THE END
