"I don't know how you can eat those things," she said as I prepared my soy sauce. "They just look like slugs to me. I don't like how they feel in my mouth."
"That makes sense," I answered mixing in just enough wasabi to lighten the deep mahogany brown. "My sister actually had to bring me sushi the first time. We did baby steps. Eventually it got to the point where I'll go sushi searching on my own. It started out as an acquired taste but now I really look forward to it."
It was Tuesday. Monday night was half priced wings but I wanted to switch it up.
"The hibachi here is really good. They also have a vegetarian menu so I figured you'd be ok."
"Everything is good so far," she said drowning her stir fry in sauce. "How are your slugs?" She smiled.
I took my first bite of the fresh fish and my eyes rolled. I liked Tuesday here because the senior chef was back from the weekend. He took Sundays and Mondays off to recoup from busy Friday and Saturday nights. I quietly referred to these days as Tasty Tuesdays. It was like he was back with a vengeance and had something to prove.
"So good," I said covering my mouth. "How's the stir fry tofu?" I asked. She nodded in approval and gave a thumbs up.
I sat back and prepared myself for the conversation I've been having lately. Since the no means never incident I have been approaching things gently. That woman still hasn't talked to me. I was convinced/hoping Lennie would have a different reaction.
She was a statuesque Spaniard. Her intellect and ambition were on par with Paris. I was always surprised that they never met. I couldn't tell if they would be friends, rivals, or enemies. I am convinced that they might have shared a man or two in their travels but I wouldn't know for certain. While Paris would mock the men she met Valencia would never tell.
"I might as well tell you what's on my mind," I said taking a deep breath.
"You aren't sick are you?" she asked arching her eyebrow towards the ceiling.
"No!" I said, laughing. "I've just been thinking a lot about where I am and where I want to be and I've made a few decisions."
"You aren't gay are you?" Her accent thickened as she asked the question.
"No." I said laughing even harder. "No, no, no. Not that I know of anyway. What I'm trying to say is that we've been friends for a long time. We've had this cool back and forth flirtation going on for years..."
"Look I know what you're going to say," she started to interrupt.
"BUT," I said finishing my statement, "I've decided not to sleep with you."
It was as though someone had hit the pause button. I couldn't gauge what her reaction would be. Would she walk out like Kerry or slap me like Kristine? Would she avoid me like Vanessa or stalk my twit/face/sound/space pages like Caitlin does?
Her laughter was refreshing. It was new. It was a big happy laugh that let me know everything was going to be all right for the moment.
"Sooo. We're still good?" I asked taking a quick bite of the succulent salmon and rice.
"Yes," she said contemplating for a moment. "This is why I love hanging out with you," she sat back in her chair. "You still surprise me. You started out as an acquired taste but now I really look forward to seeing you."
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