AWAKENING
reduction , remember?”
    “Okay,” she finished her red wine, “but one question…that’s all…just one then I’ll leave it alone.”
    Exasperated already by the talkative woman, Selange caved, “Shoot , you can have your o ne question.”
    “Was it g reat sex, because Nico looks like he can work it? You know, if I wasn’t with Emilio, I might hit him up and say Nico, papi , come take me around the world.”
    Selange’s eyes bulged at the girl as she burst out laughing , f inding humor in the naughty thought. Of course, Selange didn’t answer the question. I t wasn’t anyone’s business, besides; it wasn’t all about the sex. “Okay, Jessica, pipe down hun . Get it together.”
    “Okay…okay…I’ll quit. Come on, let’s get some drinks before Emilio starts texting me non-stop.”
    Moments later, Selange settled the tab and they w ere at the crowded bar sipping on rums, sharing mommy stories and unwinding when two guys strolled over. One insinuated himself between the women, the other stood on Selange’s side eyeing her like meat. “ Hola , ladies, how you doing tonight?”
    Jessica pulled a face. She was tipsy but not that tipsy. The dude was definitely not her type , besides she had Emilio’s bones to jump when she got home . This dude had a distractingly large nose, what’s worse is the one trying to hit on Selange reminded her of a Dutch Bulldog. Damn, why did guys see two women at a bar and automatically think they’re looking for companionship? “We’re good and this is a private celebration. Do you mind?”
    The Bulldog was grinning, “Can’t you ladies at least let us buy you drinks?”
    “No, we’re fine, thank you ,” Selange chimed in. Her slurred speech a sign she’d washed down more than she should.
    Nose and Bulldog, that’s what Jessica, called them in her head. “Hey, you want to do something for us, then say good-bye and go back to wherever you slid out from under .”
    “We’re flattered, though .” Selange added trying to soften the harsh words. Yep, Jessica was a mini-Shanda. S ome guys didn’t respond well to a public ‘ diss ’ and the minute her brain thought it, sure enough the guy retorted with, “You, you’re cool but this one is a true bitch!”
    Selange blinked in shock. “Seriously, you should look in the mirror. You’re more a version of a dog, th an she’ll ever be.”
    A guy who’d been staring at the end of the bar at the woman in the red dress sauntered to assist. “Guys, leave the ladies alone. They’re not interested.”
    “Hombre, step off and mind your business.” Nose countered.
    Selange grimaced. The poor dude trying to defend them didn’t look like he could bench press a hundred pounds. He was also wearing glasses, damn!
    Jessica wasn’t having it, her expression turned murderous. Selange sighed and her French manicured nails inched toward her purse. Yep, another Shanda, except Jessica was the Puerto-Rican version. Jessica began to breathe fire . “ Maricón , I’ll show you who the bitch is !”
    Oh snap, it was on , now !
     

 
     
                                                 * ***
     
     
     
     
    Alfonzo’s dinner companion fumbled with her hair. Smoothing it back self-consciously as she talked. “And it’s funny when they see me behind the bar, they’re like shocked or something…”
    “Um.” He mumbled. In his head he wanted the pretty woman to shut-up. He had begun to regret asking her to dinner. Maybe, he should’ve taken her straight to his place, forego the prelude, hit it then sent her on her way like the others –but he was hungry and female company seemed like a good idea at the time . Anyway, after tonight he wouldn’t endure the senseless chatter ever again. He’d delete her contact info from his cell, it’ ll b e as if she never existed.
    They were waiting for the waitress wh en a commotion in the lounge area caught his attention . He could hear a woman

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