Chapter 3.
Kent was barely home five minutes when his phone rang. Imogene’s name was on the screen.
“How was it?!?!!”
He sunk into the couch. “Fine.”
“I want to hear you say it.”
“I’m glad you made me go.” He admitted without any emotion at all, like a child forced to apologize.
“I knew it. Want to go out for drinks and dancing to celebrate?”
He weighed the benefits of going out and appearing to have a social life verses staying in and not having to worry about being noticed.
Before he could answer, Imogene chimed in. “I’ll be at your door in a half hour.” She hung up before he could protest.
Other than gelling his hair, he didn’t change anything about what he was wearing. Imogene showed up at his door exactly thirty minutes after she called. When he opened the door, she grabbed his hand and pulled him into the hall. Dex was standing near the elevators. Kent honestly didn’t mind Dex, and he wasn’t annoying about his ability to know everything up to the minute, like his brain was connected to every news source in the world. It was just that he tried so hard not to be annoying, but you could see it in his eyes. It was the fact that Kent knew that Dex knew.
“We have a surprise for you downstairs.” Imogene jumped up and down.
“Oh, god.” Kent knew about her surprises. “Please not a bind date. Please tell me that there isn’t a girl waiting in the lobby.”
She rolled her eyes. “Then I won’t tell you.”
Kent turned and rested his forehead against the wall. “Imogene, how many times do I have to tell you?”
She smiled wickedly. The elevator doors opened and they rode down to the lobby. A woman stood in a bright green dress, her dark blond hair perfectly curled, her brown eyes warm and kind. She smiled as soon as she saw Kent.
“Kent, this is my friend Bliss. We met at work and practically hang out all the time.” Imogene gushed. “Bliss, this is my good friend Kent.”
Kent took her hand and immediately felt a little better about the situation. “Nice to meet you.”
She had a soft, southern accent. “Pleasure’s all mine. Imogene never said you’d be so handsome.”
Dex smiled with that all knowing smile Kent hated. “We should walk, it’s so nice out.” He took Imogene’s hand and led the way.
Kent didn’t take Bliss’s hand as they walked, he didn’t rush into things, he didn’t want to lead her on at all. He didn’t have a great track record for relationships. Once the women noticed that essentially the sun shone from his butt, it sort of killed any sort of mood that was there. There were a few times where he was lucky enough to find someone who would only have sex if she was blindfolded. One said it was to increase the sensory experience, she also believed in the power of crystals and aligning one’s chi with the pull of the moon. That was a one time thing and for the first time in his life, he didn’t feel like the strange one.
“You look deep in thought.” Bliss smiled at him.
“Not so deep.”
She took his hand. “Imogene said you two have known each other for years.”
“Since seventh grade. She’s something else.” He felt giddy and had no idea why. “So are you.”
She blushed. “You are every bit as sweet as she said you were.”
He cleared his throat. “She said you work together?”
“I’m just a few desks down.”
They slipped back into silence and arrived at the bar shortly after. The four found a table towards the back. A live band was setting up on the small stage and most of the tables were full. The way Imogene kept smiling at Kent made him nervous, he knew she was up to something.
“Imogene, let’s get drinks for everyone.” He smiled. “Bliss, what would you like?”
“I would just love a Cosmo.”
Kent turned to Dex. “For you?”
“Seven and Seven.” He looked to Imogene.
She winked at him. “Got it. Come on, Kent.”
Once Kent and Imogene were far enough away from the table to not be overheard, he turned to her. “Okay. What can she do and which “work” did you meet her at?”
She rolled her eyes. “I met her at the job I can’t talk about, but she does work in the same office as me on normal days.” She smiled at the bartender. “A Seven and Seven, and a Madras please.”
“Gin and Tonic, and a Cosmo.” He turned back to Imogene. “What can she do?”
“I’ll tell you later. Just get to know her first, give her a chance.” She smiled. “You don’t want people writing you off because of what you can do, so don’t put other people in that box.”
He forced a smile and paid for the drinks. Dex and Bliss were in some conversation about books they’ve read lately when Kent and Imogene returned with the drinks. Kent hated it when Imogene was right, he was doing to Bliss what he hated other people doing to him.
“So, Bliss.” Kent smiled, she was pretty. “Would you like to dance?”
“I’d love to.” She took a drink and smiled.
The band started playing some underground, indy rock and people headed to the dance floor. It wasn’t half bad and it didn’t take Kent long to forget his usual trepidation and just enjoy the moment. He’d have to make sure not to let Imogene’s ego get too inflated from the apparent success of her matchmaking skills.
“I’ll get the second round of drinks?” Bliss said between songs.
Kent shook his head. “It’s on me.”
“If you insist.’ She smiled.
“I insist.” He headed to the bar and ordered another Cosmo for her and a second Gin and Tonic for himself.
Bliss was at the table when he returned. She fanned herself with a cocktail napkin. “I forgot how much fun this is.”
“Me, too.”
“Imogene talks about you all the time, says you’re one of the sweetest guys she knows.” She paused. “Did you ever date?”
“We thought about it in high school, but we didn’t want to ruin what we had. Besides, we’re better as friends. After a few days of each other, we start to fight like cats and dogs.”
“I’m glad she introduced us.” She rested her hand on Kent’s.
He smiled. “I am, too.”
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