11

Nick

Nat and Ava were in a steamy ramen bar enjoying bowls of hot noodle soup. Normally, Nat did not go out to eat. She brought a packed lunch to school—a bagel with cream cheese or a ham sandwich. At home, she made pasta or scrambled eggs. But her recent windfall allowed her the luxury of a hot meal in a real restaurant. And, of course, she had to update Ava on her disastrous date.

“I was too nervous to eat before I met him,” Nat said, pinching up noodles with her chopsticks. “So I had a couple of vodkas to calm my nerves. And then I had a few Scotches with Gabe. And then”—she stuffed the noodles into her mouth—“I was a drunk and disgusting mess.”

“Oh shit,” Ava said, but she was amused.

“He still paid me, though.”

“Classy guy.”

“And he gave me a ride home in his town car.”

“That’s not good, Nat.” Ava slurped her soup. “Now he knows where you live.”

“I know. The next day he sent me Thai food for my hangover.”

Ava set her chopsticks down. “Did you have sex with him in the car?”

“God, no. I was drunk but not that drunk.”

“Blow job? Hand job?”

Nat felt her cheeks pinken as her mind flashed to the night Gabe had delivered her home. She’d spent the entire ride with her eyes closed, her head against the back seat, all her focus on not puking. But then he’d helped her to the door, his strong hands on her back. She recalled their proximity as he’d guided the key into the lock for her and then ushered her inside. There had been a hug, a bit of chemistry between them, but nothing more. She was sure of it.

“No. I would remember if I had.” She slurped some soup. “He was pretty attractive—for his age—but nothing happened.”

Ava picked up her porcelain spoon. “Are you going to see him again?”

“I can’t.” Nat stirred some hot sauce into her soup. “I’m too humiliated.”

“Does he want to see you again?”

“He gave me his cell number when I messaged to thank him for the Thai food. He said to text him if I want to get together.”

“You should. He sounds like the whole package.”

Nat sipped her soup. Gabe was the whole package: rich, attractive, a gentleman . . . And that’s why she couldn’t see him again. This was not about finding a boyfriend, a man who made her feel special and adored. This was a business arrangement. This was about money.

“I’m seeing a different daddy tonight,” she said. “In Midtown.”

“Look at you go.”

“Could I get ready at your place? So I don’t have to go back to Brooklyn and then come back uptown?”

“Of course.” Ava stirred her soup. “Don’t get too drunk tonight.”

Nat smirked. “I’m not having anything to drink before the date. And I’ll just have one glass of wine when I meet him.”