Chapter Eight

The rest of the night went extremely well. They each sang various songs; Ryan even went up with one of the ladies and tried to sing the Peter Cetera part of a Cher duet. They had fun and by the announcement of ‘last call’ they were each surprised. Kaylin tried to pay for her portion of the tab, but Ryan refused and the obligatory battle of the sexes ensued with Kaylin admitting that all since all she had was water, she could deal with him paying for that.

They both were given kisses on the cheeks and bear hugs from the various people he met throughout the night. Kaylin was told to “take this one home, baby!” by more than a few of them. Ryan was pulled off to the side by two of the ladies, who immediately dropped their voices back to their daylight baritones and was warned to treat her well or else. Ryan takes this very seriously, suppressing a smile and promises, shaking both of their hands.

The night was cold, but they needed to walk a few blocks before getting to a more main street where they could get a cab. He was still holding her hand.

“Ryan,” she stopped and pulled him to a stop with her. He was still laughing and reminiscing about the events of the night, when she stopped him. The wind whipped at them both and she let go of his hand to pull her jacket tighter about her. “I don’t want you to think I brought you there to show off. It’s not like that.” He had to squint to keep the wind from drying out his eyes, but he could see her clearly. Her long skirt whipped about her and her hair was being thrown around her head.

“I never thought that,” he said, pulling his wool hat out of his jacket pocket and pulling it over his head, “I had a lot of fun, and that never crossed my mind. Honest.”

“I had a really good time. The ladies really took to you!” She changed the subject quickly. He laughed and they continued on the way.

“I’m glad they did. It’s easy to have fun with you,” he said, looking over to her, “I can’t remember when I’ve had so much fun at a bar, let alone a karaoke bar.”

She smiled to herself as they quickened their footsteps, the wind between the tall skyscrapers was excruciating. “I’m glad you think so. Now, don’t think any less of me,” and with that she was off to the curb. In one smooth move, she hiked her long dress up and did a high kick in the air, making an otherwise careening cab come to a screeching halt. “It always works,” she said over her should as she climbed in. He doubled over in laughter and followed after her.

“Those some nice legs ya got, lady,” the cabbie said leering at Kay as she scooted across the bench seat, “where can I take ‘em?”

“Um, well,” Kay turned to Ryan with questioning eyes, “where to?” she directed the question to him, snuggling herself against his arm, stretched over the back of the seat, letting him know that she was ok with anything he said. He gave the driver his address and off they went.

“I’ve definitely never seen anyone hail down a cabby that way,” Ryan said, laughter still in his voice.

“Me either!” the cabbie chimed in, zooming down the darkened streets and merging into the traffic going over the bridge.

“It worked, didn’t it?” she laughed in her defense.

“I don’t think there’s a person alive who wouldn’t stop for that,” Ryan said, letting his right hand rest on her knee. She entwined her fingers to his and let her eyes wander over his body. He was wearing professionally-faded jeans and a patterned, button shirt over a colored tee shirt, but all that was hidden under his black, leather jacket that hung loosely to his hips. Ryan was looking down at their fingers curled around each other, studying her hand that looked so small compared to his own. Her nails were manicured and polished a soft shade of pink and her skin was soft. On the back of her thumb was a ragged, tight scar the size and shape of an almond. She noticed him looking at it and turned her hand so it wouldn’t show, and pulling herself up to kiss him.