did a quick check
to make sure she didn't have make up smeared across her face, and
was done.
Her phone buzzed just as she left the safety
of the bathroom. It was Clare. Of course.
"What's up Jules? How's NOLA?"
"Good. The conference is a little boring so
far but I wasn't expecting anything else."
"Where are you at? It's really loud."
"Pat O'Brien's."
"Are you there by yourself?"
"No. I'm here with some people from the
conference."
"Oh? Any cute guys?"
Clare needed to be wearing a headscarf and
slinging Yiddish phrases as much matchmaking she tried to do.
"There's this guy, Dave. He's pretty good looking, I guess. He
lives in Columbia."
"Is he bangable?"
"I hadn't really thought that far ahead."
"You should fuck him. Have a little New
Orleans fling."
Julia laughed. It wasn't that she hadn't
considered the possibility, but only Clare could be so crudely
blunt about it.
"Seriously, Jules. When was the last
time you got laid? Four months ago when you broke up with
Jeff?"
Er, five was more like it. "I don't know that
I'm that into this guy."
"You said he was cute right?"
"Yeah, in a clean-cut, polo shirt wearing
kind of way." Julia wasn't sure why she even mentioned that. All
she ever dated were Khakis . From her own history, Dave was
exactly her type.
"Then don't worry about it. Even if you're
not super into him you can still eff him and have a good
time. Consider it an opportunity to flex your sex goddess muscles.
Relish in the experience of rocking his world, and blowing his
mind."
Dave had caught Julia's eye and was waving
her over. "Hey Clare, I got to go. I'm being beckoned."
"Well think about what I said. Sex goddess
muscles...they're next to the Kegels."
Julia laughed. "Okay, okay. I'll think about
it."
A shot filled with tan colored liquor and
topped with whipped cream was waiting for her. And each member of
the party had one in their hands. Blowjobs. Holy hell, they were
doing blowjob shots.
And there was another Hurricane parked in
front of her empty seat.
"C'mon Julia, pick up your shot," Beth
encouraged.
Grudgingly, Julia picked up the glass. It
wasn't that she was opposed to the blowjob shot-she loved them
during years 20 to 22-but the idea of mixing all the different
liquors and then throwing some whipped cream in the mix...it just
wasn't appealing.
"Here's to work conferences in cool cities,"
Mike said.
"And here's to Hurricane Katrina," Dave
added, "for making New Orleans the perfect backdrop for our
conference."
"Cheers!" Beth chirped, and the shots were
consumed in rapid succession.
It really was a tasty little shot. Maybe
Julia was being overly surly. The bar was fine, the drinks were
fine, the company was fine. She was just being persnickety, and
that was probably one of the many reasons she remained single. It
was time she quit being such a buzz kill and tried to enjoy what
life threw at her.
Still, about half way into the second
Hurricane, not only was she getting rather tipsy, but was also
thinking of ways to get out of Pat O's. Now that she had a little
liquid courage, she really wanted to check out Luxure . The
idea of going there alone was pretty frightening, and she thought
about seeing if Beth wanted to join her. One look at Beth's
perfect, flawless makeup, and crisp white sweater and Julia
discarded the idea.
"Hey Julia, are you feeling okay?" Dave
asked. She must have spaced off because when she glanced up all
three of the others had concerned looks on their faces.
What a perfect out. "Um, not really. I think
mixing all the different liquors isn't agreeing with me." For
emphasis, she clutched at her stomach. "I'm thinking I should head
back to the hotel." Covering her mouth with a fist, she faked a
belch.
"That sucks," Beth said empathetically.
"I know." Julia rose. "What do I owe for the
drinks?"
"Don't worry about it." Dave stood up with
her. "Maybe I should walk you back."
"Oh, that's not necessary. I have a map." For
emphasis, she pulled out the folded piece of