Hit Hard

Charlene sat up completely straight through her sales meeting. This meeting was the last thing she had to do today, and she wanted more than anything to just be done with it. She did like her job, but she had other plans for her Friday night, and being stuck in her office wasn’t one of them.

When her meeting finally ended, she grabbed her folder and headed down the hall to her office with a purpose. There was no way she was stopping to talk to anyone, especially her boss who had been staring at her through the whole meeting, on her way out.

She made it to her office and put some open files from her desk into their proper drawers, logged out of her computer, then walked out of her office. “Mary, I’m leaving.” She said to her secretary whose desk was just outside her office door.

“I’ll see you on Monday, Ms. Montgomery.” Charlene nodded and walked away.
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Charlene scrutinized herself in the mirror. She checked every part of herself to make sure she looked absolutely perfect. Everything from her white, curve hugging dress and mint green blazer to her gold wedges and matching sparkly necklace. After running her fingers through her hair one more time, she grabbed her bag and walked out the door before she could change her mind about going.

She walked a couple blocks to a bar where she was meeting Claude. She felt her hands shaking as she walked. She hadn’t been on a date in a long time. She took a deep breath as she walked in the door of the bar. It took her a few seconds of looking, but she soon laid eyes on the red haired man who bumped into her the day before.

Claude ran his hand through his hair absentmindedly as he waited for his date. He didn’t know what made him want so desperately for this girl to come tonight. He thought she was stunningly beautiful when he ran into her. He remembered the way her golden ponytail whipped around and landed on her shoulder when she turned to look at him. The way those sparkling green eyes widened when he handed her her folder. Claude didn’t really believe in fate, but running into her again on the train wasn’t a coincidence. He knew he had to see her again. He felt a light hand rest on his shoulder.

“Claude?” He heard a familiar voice say. He smiled when he looked up and Charlene’s eyes stared back into his.

“You came.” He said. She sat down on a bar stool next to him.

“Yeah.” She replied. “I surprised myself too.”

“I’m glad you came.”

“I think I will be.” She smiled.

“What's that supposed to mean?” He asked.

“I don’t get out a ton.” She answered.

“I see.” He knew from when he talked to her that she was different. More reserved than other girls he had been with. He didn’t know exactly how old she was, but she seemed more mature than her age. She looked about twenty five.

“You want something to drink?” The bartender asked.

“What do you want?” Claude looked at her. Charlene pursed her lips with indecision. She sighed.

“Oh, I don’t know.” She answered. Claude grinned at her.

“She’ll have a Tom Collins and I’ll take a Rusty Nail.” He said. The bartender nodded and walked off. Charlene stared at Claude. He was a very attractive man. He smiled at her when he noticed her staring. “What?” He laughed. “The Tom Collins has lemon and gin. I’m sure you’ll like it. Unless you’re under twenty one. Then I can’t allow you to have it.” Charlene smiled.

“I’m twenty seven.” She rolled her eyes.

“Older than me.” Claude said.

“By how much?”

“Ten years. I just turned seventeen last week.” He announced.

“Oh nice.” She replied. “Happy belated birthday.”

“Yeah. I just got my license. My mom lets me drive her minivan on the weekends.” He added

“I’m happy for you.” Charlene said.

“I’m twenty six.”

“Good.” Charlene smirked. “You scared me. I thought I was out with a minor.”

“I assure you that we will do nothing illegal tonight.” He replied. “Unless you want to go skinny dipping in the Jackie Kennedy Reservoir after this. But thats up to you.”

“I think I’ll pass.” She took a sip of the drink the bartender brought her. “Nice choice. I’ll have to remember this one.” Claude shrugged. “You’re good at picking cocktails for a seventeen year old.” She grinned.

Notes