Imperfect Beauty

"I don't think things are that desperate yet." I replied with a hopeful chuckle. Hey, I like the virgin mixes, but I like my liquor too. I'm twenty-nine, not fifty-nine. Might as well live it up while I've got the chance. I like to drink tequila and get a little wild, let loose and howl at the moon. But tequila doesn't like me, another reason why I don't mind abstaining for the night. My stomach will thank me in the morning.

Zoë and I chat while I continue to pile every vegetable known to man on my sandwich- lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and green peppers. It's not good to go to the bar on an empty stomach, even if you're not going to get sloshed. Woman can not live by overly salted popcorn alone, or something like that.

Zoë fills me in on the gossip as I chew and occasionally mumble "mm-hm." A good thing about that girl is that she can talk! She has no trouble filling in the spaces I might have left in the conversation by trying to eat while on the phone. And it's a good thing, because my sandwich was by far to good too put down.

Turns out that Glen is single again and ‘on the prowl' as she put it. Great, just what we need to liven things up; our town's most flamboyant gay man over 30 hitting on anybody with three legs. Glen- he's a good looking guy. Clean cut, tall and blond with a baby soft face that looks like he's never shaved a day in his life. Physically he kind of reminds me of that guy from What Not to Wear, Personality wise though, he's sort of a ringer for that weird uncle from the old TV show Bewitched; smirky, quirky and flamboyantly eccentric.

We love him though, naturally. It's true that he's pretty stereotypical of what a lot of people think a gay man is, but we know him well enough to know that he's a true one of a kind, in all the best ways. You'll learn more about that as the story progresses.

We had our transportation plans worked out and all the vital facts were on the table. I myself had nothing to add, so I told Zoë I'd see her soon and we hung up the phone.

I had time, I made another sandwich and puttered around my small kitchen looking through my nearly empty cupboards. Thank god it was designated-drink-for-free tonight.

***********

The good thing about being single is that when you go out, you can find another person to be single with together. Zoë, Glen and I were definitely all looking for a hook-up that night, although Simone was her usual friendly but slightly aloof self. She was single, but gawd was she picky. I suppose she could afford to be, considering she can usually have her pick from any man in the room. The problem is, she never picks any of them. Her standards are so high, she usually ends up alone. And she never seems to mind either. On the other hand, unlike the rest of us, Simone is looking for more than a good time. She's one of those people who doesn't feel that a relationship is worth her time unless it's ‘going somewhere,' presumably, down the aisle.

For myself, I prefer relationships that are defiantly not heading in that direction. I like a relationship that's going toward the bedroom. I'm not afraid to admit it- I like sex! I like it a lot. And I'm not the least bit interested in settling down. Some of my single friends don't understand this, they say ‘Don't you want to find somebody special to grow old with, to be there everyday, to be a life partner?" Most of my married friends think I've got the right idea. When I look at them, I usually think that marriage has made them grow old much too soon. Even the ones with happy marriages are just not in a place where I want to be. For most of my friends, it's true what they say- the grass is greener on the other side. But in my case, the grass is greener right where I am.

A lot of people look at dating as a chore, a kind of job interview for a future mate. No wonder they don't like it! For me, dating is about having a good time and getting to know someone, getting to see if you like the same things or if the only thing you have in common is a mutual desire to bump uglies. I don't know why they call it that- I think that the human body is a beautiful thing, especially all those interesting parts that we keep covered up most of the time. But if I said ‘bumping beauties' I just don't think any one would know what I was talking about.

Anyway, I enjoy dating because for me, it's not about anything but the moment. Sure, I'm deciding if I want to spend any more time with this person. But I'm not planning out our future. I'm not looking for faults that would eliminate them from being ‘the one.' The only fault that turns me away is someone who I don't enjoy or somebody who's a lot more serious than I am. That's not a problem with most guys, but believe me- it does happen.

Usually, I date a guy, we have fun for a while and then we either move on to someone else or melt into a sort of friendship. Very rarely do I get involved in a long term exclusive relationship, although it's been known to happen. But I just don't feel comfortable being half of a couple. I much prefer to just be myself and enjoy all that life has to offer. Like I said, a lot of guys that I date become my friends- sometimes with benefits and sometimes not. Eventually, even most guys want to settle down, and I don't mind at all, fixing two of my friends up with each other. Of course, once a guy is dating another friend of mine, any and all benefits stop. Like I said, I like sex, but I'm not desperate and I'm not a bad friend. There's plenty more fish in the sea, as they say.

I guess some people wouldn't want to date a friends ex, or someone they know she's slept with but my friends understand how I am and they know that the guys they are dating have a history. With me, they know that they are getting a recommendation. I never fix up two friends who aren't looking for the same thing or who aren't going to match up- in bed or otherwise.

Of course, it probably doesn't hurt that I sleep with a lot of my girlfriends too. I guess some people would call me bisexual, but I don't necessarily label myself that way. I'm just open to new experiences, and I enjoy a whole range of pleasures of the flesh. Most of my friends are either bisexual, sexual open like me, or just extremely open-minded. Those are just the kind of people I hang out with. Some of the guys that come and go in my life, but don't stick around aren't so open minded, but then that's why they don't last in my pantheon of friends. You'd be surprised in this day and age how many guys have the most medieval of attitudes about women or sex or both. They don't think that men and woman can be friends or they still think that the man has to be dominant or that women shouldn't work after they marry. Oh and they are very vocal about there beliefs. They are not hard to spot.

Guys like that can be fun for a while, but they just don't mesh with the rest of my friends who tend to be pretty alternative. I've been told that I'm not really open minded- that I‘m a hypocrite, because I'm not accepting of people with different values than me. I just roll my eyes at people who say that. I have no problem with people with different values, but I don't have the patience for those with different values who have no tolerance for mine or others who are different. I don't agree that we should be tolerant of intolerance. That's completely contradictory, and I think that would be the true hypocrisy. I have to stand by my own values and standards, not somebody else's.

Here I am going on and on about who I sleep with and what I believe instead of getting to the point, which is the club and who we all hooked up with. Because, as I said, we were all looking to hook up, accept for Simone of course.

The first thing that happened after we found our tables was that our waiter stared at Simone the whole time he was taking our orders and of course, mixed them all up. Simone paid no attention to him whatsoever, but for some reason that just sort of encouraged him. While he was off messing up our order, I couldn't help but point out the obvious to her.

"Did you notice him, he was all over you!"

"Who- oh him! He's way to young for me."

"Well it wouldn't hurt just to look at him would it?" I ask, thinking about what an idiot this guy was going to be, trying to get her attention.

"I saw him," she said dismissively. I turned to Zoë and rolled my eyes.

"So did I," Glen chirped up. "What a fine piece of grade A sirloin."

Zoë laughed.

"You know, for a gay man, Glen, you can be a real pig," I admonished.

"Even if he's bi, I doubt you can get his attention away from Miss America over here," Zoë said, nodding in Simone's direction. In typical Simone fashion, she ignored the comment.

"Well, I can try," said Glen lecherously.

This should be fun, I thought. Our waiter trying to get Simone's attention, Simone ignoring him and gossiping with Zoë, and Glen hitting on our waiter, who's just as oblivious to him, as Simone was to him.

It was almost a relief when the young buck brought me a tequila sunrise instead of the two shots I had ordered. When the circus began, I just slipped away, shooting a sympathetic look toward Zoë and found my way up to the bar. I could straighten out this drink situation on my own.

The bar tender was turned, with his head down mixing something for another patron when I got up to the bar. I hopped up on a stool and waited, picking up a napkin to fold and unfold. I told you I couldn't sit still.

When the bartender turned around, he saw me and motioned that he'd be with me in a minute. It was almost surreal as everything slowed down and the sound disappeared. This guy was amazing. Probably about mid-twenties with a winning smile and a handsome face. He looked so cute in his bar apron , I couldn't help but wonder if he was single. He was so fine, it seemed against the odds, but it happens all the time.

It seemed like forever before he returned to talk to me. "How can I help you?" he offered, and all sorts of lewd answers jumped to mind. After what seemed like a beat to long of silence I said, "The waiter mixed up my drink," I say trying not to sound to harsh or accusing. "I ordered two shots of Cuervo."

"A tequila girl, huh?" he asked teasingly. "You sure you can handle it?"

"Boy, I could drink you under the table any day!" I challenge him.

His eyes seem to sparkle. "What's that your going to do to me under the table?" Oh yeah, we're hitting it off.

"I guess you'll have to come over to my place after work and I'll show you ," I offer as temptingly as I know how.

His elbow on the counter, he rests his hand on his fist and leans toward me. Looking me in the eyes, he says warmly, "I'd like that." Amazingly, there's no hint of lechery in his tone. A guy with manners is a real turn on for me.

"If you can handle it," I add.

He laughs good naturedly and extends his hand. "Name's Chase," he says by way of introduction.

"Nicole." His hand is larger than mine, smooth and warm, well manicured without being too effeminate.

"Here," he says remembering my drinks. "Let me take this."

I put my hand out to stop him. The accidental touch brings an even greater thrill than the handshake. "That's ok, I'll drink this after I finish my shots."

I had forgotten that I was supposed to be the designated driver until I realized that I had to pay for my own drink. "Shit!" I exclaimed as Chase sat my drinks down in front of me.

"What?" he asked somewhat startled.

"I just realized that I'm supposed to be the designated driver for the night."

"So all that talk about drinking me under the table…"

"It'll have to wait for another night."

He stopped to think. "You know, if your group is staying until we close, I could drive for you. And as long as you order your drinks before last call, you can stay and drink while I close up."

"Why Chase, are you trying to get me drunk?" I ask teasingly.

He nodded, "Guilty, I admit it."

"Well, we're supposed to go a few other places tonight. I'll have to ask my friends if they want to stay here instead. If not, it will be virgin pin-accolades-coladas for me all night."

He agreed, and I went to see what the gang thought. Mr. Waiter had moved on to another table at last.

"There's a pretty good crowd in here tonight," Glen commented. I'd like to check out the pickin's. I wouldn't mind staying if the rest of you don't."

"There's pool tables in the back and a dance floor," Zoë commented. "That should keep me busy. I'm ok with it. But I think I want to talk to him before I let him drive my car."

"That's a good idea," I conceded. "Come up to the bar with me. You won't believe how gorgeous this guy is."

I looked to Simone. "What?" she asked.

"Do you want to stay here the whole night? If that waiter's bugging you, we can go. I'll just meet up with Chase at the end of the night."

"Oh no, I can handle him. You do your thing," she said with an encouraging smile. I began to think that she was enjoying the attention even though she would never admit it. She was cool about it, but she had to know the tremendous power she held over men.

"It's settled then," I said, "almost. Come with me Zoë." I took her hand and pulled her through the crowd. I realized that I had left my drinks sitting on the bar, I hoped that Chase was keeping an eye on them. Sure enough, they were right were I left them untouched even though Chase was filling drink orders at the other end of the bar. I waved and he nodded.

He didn't stay and chat with his other customer, but headed right over to us as quickly as possible.

"So what's the word?"

"Everyone's ok with it," I told him. "But it's Zoë's car and she wanted to talk to you first before she decided to let you drive her car."

"Well, I can hardly blame her for that," Chase said with a chuckle. The more I talked to him, the more I liked him. He was warm and friendly with a wonderful relaxed attitude about everything, as far as I could tell so far. "Is this Zoë?" he asked turning to look at her.

Zoë was grinning ear to ear. I could tell that she was agreeing with me about Chase. I could tell his driving record wasn't going to be a factor.

"You don't slam a few back after you clock out do you?" she asked him without a hint of seriousness.

"No," he told her. "But I can bring a case of something along, if you'd like to have a little after party." his offer was gracious, and seemed to be sincerely offered to both or all of us not just Zoë. He gave no impression that he was hitting on my friend, even though she's very cute and obviously taken with him.

"I'd like that," Zoë said, practically drooling on the counter. "But how are you going to get home?" I was surprised that she was worried about that, the way she was looking at him.

"I‘ll just take a cab after everybody is at there destination. Then I'll take the cab back here tomorrow for work, or sooner if I need my car for anything."

"Attention to details," I interject. "I like that." Chase flashes me a warm smile. Of course I'll have to leave your car," he nodded toward Zoë, "at Nicole's." he turned back to me.

If there was a test, he passed it. What the hell, why not leave the door open. "That's ok, we're room-mate's." I worry that I'm getting too good at this lying thing. Zoë looked at me questioningly.

"We're all set then." Chase said. "I've got to take care of some of my other customers, but I hope you'll come back and talk to me later," he said putting his hand gently over mine.

"You can count on it," I promise him, wishing that he could leave work now, imagining the feeling of his lips on mine, wondering if I would make the first move or let him. Considering the possibilities ahead. I smiled back, before he went back to an impatient college kid sitting a few stools down from us.

I took my drinks with me this time as we headed back to the table.

"Why did you tell him we were room-mates. Did that mean what I think it does?" she asked me, barely concealing her eagerness.

"Maybe," I say. "We'll see how things go."

Zoë and I had a thing going for a while. She's incredibly hot and I don't mind sharing her, or sharing with her under the right circumstances. Or in other words as long as nobody is going to end up getting hurt. I didn't see that happening in this situation, but I wanted to take a wait and see approach until I had a better idea of what I wanted to do, and what Chase might be willing to do.

Like I said, Zoë is hot. She is slender and short- about my height, with short blond hair that's layered up the back with longer, slightly spiky bangs in front. Her blue eyes aren't pale at all, but dark and intense and incredibly sexy. Not only that, but she has a great body. She had beautiful C-cup breasts that she's not afraid to show off with low cut blouses, and a nice round backside of just the right size.

Her looks are a direct contrast to mine. Although we are both petite, and let's face it, stacked we are definitely not a matched set. My hair is long and striking black in contrast to my snowy complexion. My eyes are a hazel green that change when the light moves across them. People often have a hard time describing them because there seems to be so many colors within them. I'm not too modest to say, I think they are my best feature. I'm quite proud of them.

We made it back to the table and let everyone know we were staying here for the night. "Me and Zoë are going to go shoot some pool anyone want to come with?"

"I'm gonna check out the dance floor," Glen said, rising.

"I'll come over later," Simone said. "I'm waiting for another drink."

All of our coats were hanging on our chairs, so we didn't have to worry about loosing our table. Our cash, was smartly in our pockets. "We'll see you in a bit then," we told her heading off to the pool tables.

"I think she likes the attention," Zoë said about Simone and the waiter.

I laugh, "You read my mind!"

There was a line at the pool table, so we put our corners down and sat in the chairs set up near the tables to watch.

Two college guys wearing baseball caps with rounded off bills were sparing off. It was obvious that they were friends and that there was some type of bet attached to this game. As we watched, we were able to figure out that the looser had to buy all the drinks for the winner. Not exactly high stakes, but then again depending on how much the winner could pour back, you never know.

The guys quickly noticed us watching and went to work showing off. The guy in the green shirt started holding the cue behind his back ever chance he got, and the guy in the red shirt started trying to verbally one-up his friend whenever he had the chance. It was very amusing for the two of us.

We quickly decided we both liked the guy green better than the other one who was loud and obnoxious, and decided we'd do what we could to help him win. Whenever the blue shirt guy went to take his turn we started holding hands or touching each other's hair. We were casual about it at first, making it look almost accidental, light and friendly. But as we got more and more into the reaction of both of the guys at the table and the rest of the guys waiting to play, we slowly began turning up the heat.

It was hilarious to watch. Red shirt was having so much trouble, a few times his cue stick slipped and didn't even hit the cue-ball. Even Blue was a little nervous and had to stop using show-offy tactics until he was able to find his bearings. It was obvious to the guys in line what we were doing, and they new just when to watch the game and when to watch us.

Zoë and I where having a lot of fun, tormenting the boys but we also enjoy being flirtatious with each other just for the sake of it. We don't often do it when we're in the group because it's not all that our friendship is about, but when we are around a bunch of guys like this we just can't help ourselves. When it comes to our bi-curiosity, we are total exhibitionists. Having the guys watch us was as thrilling as what we were doing to each other. It was like a cycle; a very sensuous and exciting cycle.