Mr. Mysterious In Black by S. Ann Cole Read Free Book Online Page A

“Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m deeply attracted to you, but you think I’m full of…poo?”
    A smile crawled onto my face as I shook my head. This guy …
    “I can sense you smiling on the other end,” he said in a sing-song tone. “So how did I do? Well enough get a date with you?”
    “Yes,” I agreed. I had no plans beyond sketching, I dreaded a dull evening and I needed a diversion from the plaguing thoughts of that Natalio figure from the club.
    “How about dinner this evening?” he suggested.
    “Will it be at some fancy restaurant?”
    “Um, yes.”
    What was it with guys always trying to be impressive, being pretentiously romantic? Only to turn out being complete dick-heads in the end.
    “Then no,” I clipped.
    He was silent for a moment. “Where would you like to go?”
    “Somewhere ordinary. A nice chill spot would be good.”
    “Okay. I know just the place. I’ll pick you up at eight?”
    “Sure. I’ll text you my address.”
    I ended the call, smiling.
    “Who was that?” the inquisitive Kelsy asked as she tested her new wild cherry lip gloss, puckering her lips in the make-up compact.
    “A handsome guy who’s interested in being more than just friends .” My answer was a tad bitter, and I realized that it was because I was still seething at my rebuffing from Mr. Mysterious in Black.

    Devon and I were seated in the far corner of a swanky chill bar. Designed of stainless steel and glass, with neon blue lights and white seating, creating a luxurious ambience. At the last minute, I’d changed from my first choice of casual jeans and tank top to a purple close-fitting V-neck dress. Had I not done so, I would’ve been underdressed for this sporting. Devon had commented, repeatedly, on my dress and my beauty and my legs. Nice. But for some reason, his compliments didn’t aggrandize my confidence.
    I sipped on Blue Label and Coke, while he sipped Crown Royal on the rocks. As the evening progressed, I learned that Devon Morris was single with no kids, and owned a construction company. Everything else was just boring, boring, boring, mundane banalities, while I responded to his monotonous chatter with the occasional “Hmm,” “Really?” “Impressive”, “Ah, I get it”, “Interesting”. I resisted succumbing to my boredom twitches, which were: inspecting my nails or rubbing my neck.
    Devon was unquestionably handsome, sweet and flattering. The pull-your-chair-out kind of guy. He embodied all that a woman would tick the box for in a man. But for me, he was…innocuous. Nothing beyond his physical appearance attracted or intrigued me. I’m a girl who’s, strangely so, inclined to people that are a bit out of kilter. Don’t ask me why, I just am.
    He would ask me out again, I knew. And I would agree. I’d try again because the problem might not be him, but me. At this crappy point in my life, I knew I was distracted on all levels.
    “Oh man,” I heard Devon say, dragging me from…wherever I’d drifted off to. “Seems this wasn’t the best to place to chill this evening, after all.”
    “What?” I asked, belatedly noticing that the noise level in the bar had turned up.
    Devon nodded towards the entrance where a number of guys clad in biker wear and towing along scantily-dressed women poured in. “There was a biker fest down south today. For the affluent. I should’ve guessed that here would be the after spot on their way back.”
    “So what’s wrong with them hanging out here? They all look like grown responsible men to me.” And frankly, I was glad for the sudden change of air.
    “Nothing. I just don’t—” he stopped. “If you’re comfortable, then it’s fine.”
    Huh? Why would he think I’d be uncomfortable?
    Devon launched into a story about when he was in college and once rode bikes. I was actually enjoying it, until…
    There he was, Mr. Mysterious in Black, leaning by the bar, dressed in his favorite shade. Black boots, black jeans, black T-shirt