Just Be True To Me

His lack of fear was a main point of her attraction to him. He didn’t look at her as a just a woman, meaning he wouldn’t hold back like most men would. She felt like she was as worthy of an opponent as anyone else he stepped into the ring with.

The sparing match continued until the waiter appeared. “Together or separate.”

“Together,” she said, pulling something out of her sock. She made sure he was able to see President Jackson’s face as she slid the bill into the billfold. Point for her. Once the waiter was gone, she got straight to the point, laying out the rules of the game.

“What’s the end goal?” he asked.

“To see who’s more expensive.”

Clifford’s eyes narrowed, returning to their normal shape a moment later. Half of his teeth showed as he smiled. He removed his wallet from his back pocket and laid down a $100 bill, using a pen to write the word tip down the center. He stood, retrieving his phone from his back pocket. His face fell.

“Something wrong?”

His exhale was sharp. “I accidentally told my guy to take your car to my house.” He helped her to her feet and pushed her chair in. “Looks like we’re going to my place.” Keeping hold of her hand, he led the way out of the building.

Though she didn’t like be led around, she didn’t mind being led by him.

Clifford’s place was a large, but not so much that it felt uninviting. The light grey on the walls complemented the industrial design. Wooden countertops helped to warm the steel pipes and chrome finishes.

“I can tell not many women come here,” she said, pulling off her coat. Sliding out of her shoes, her feet sank into the plush carpet. The couch engulfed her as if it had been waiting for its lover’s return. Stretching across it, she threw the throw over her legs and turned on the TV.

“Make yourself at home.”

“Already did.”

He handed her a glass of wine before sitting down. He pulled her feet into his lap, using his free hand to massage her calves. Her giggle caught his attention. “What’s so funny?”

“We don’t like each other, but we’re…so…comfortable.” Reclaiming her legs, she said, “I don’t usually do things like this.”

“Like what?”

“Come home with strange men and drink wine while they massage my legs.” She allowed the liquid to melt into her tongue after she sipped. “No coercion. No manipulation. The goal of the competition is to make me think I’m letting you have me.”

He nodded. “Noted. Well since we’re playing this game,” He pulled her feet back into his lap“we should probably get to know each other better. Just to know where the boundaries are.”

As they exchanged questions and answers, Mia forgot about the case completely. She forgot that it was the reason they even met. Everything about them and their interaction felt normal. There weren’t any awkward gaps in their conversation. She didn’t mind him touching her. She didn’t find his questions to be abrasive. In one word, she was comfortable. Her laugh was real. Her explanations went into full detail, unlike when she was talking with her peers: there was no need to hide. She could be herself.

Her real self.

Removing her ponytail holder allowed her hair to fall around her shoulders. Running her fingers through it gave it more volume. Realizing that he was staring, she said, “No you can’t touch it.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s my hair.” She pulled her fingers through a few tangles. Her mouth dropped open as she began massaging her scalp.

“So what? It’s just hair. It’s dead.”

“I don’t have the time nor the energy to explain the difference between your collection of strands and my antennae.” A rush of laughter burst from his chest as confusion twisted his face. “I’ll give you some books.”

“And there’s her first attempt to purchase me.” Clifford stared at her for a long while. The corners of his eyes were pinched. His lips were in a straight line. His thumb continued to brush across her skin as he examined her. “You’re beautiful.”

“That’s not gonna—”

“But you’re damaged.” He held her face, attempting to see past her walls. He brought his face closer to hers. “Who hurt you?”

The question was like a bolt of electricity right into her heart. In her right mind, she would have deemed her reaction as over-the-top. But she wasn’t in her right mind. She was under his influence. Mia hopped to her feet and pulled her shoes on. Sliding back into her jacket, she peaked out the window, the tow truck pulling next to the curb. “I’ll call an Uber home. Thank you for coming to get me.”

“What happened?”

“Nothing happened. I just remembered that I have a lot of work to do on the case.” Reaching behind her for the door handle, she missed three times. “I forgot to tell you, jury selection will be in a week. Trial shouldn’t be too far off from then. I’ll give you a call within the next couple of days to brief you.” She was out the door as quickly as possible. Forgoing the Uber idea, she asked the driver if he would drop her and her car off at her house, climbing in the truck before he gave an answer. They were pulling off when Clifford opened the door. She forced her gaze to remain forward until the house was no longer in view in the sideview mirror. She was distracted when a high-pitched squeal came out of the speakers.

“Sorry bout that,” the driver said. “Old truck. I been tryna get Cliff to get a new one for years.”

“Why him?”

“It’s his truck. It’s his company. Well, it’s my company too. We’re partners.” He turned the knob to the right, finding his favorite station. His smile was wide as he snapped along. “My name’s Aaron by the way.” He stretched his left arm across his right. “Howdy.”

“Nice to meet you.” Mia let out a deep exhale. “I’ll pay you when we get to my house. I forgot my purse. So stupid.”