Author's Note, tip of the hat to kenjisato for editing and suggestions.
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Amanda couldn't sleep. She looked at her lover, John, sleeping next to her. She was thinking about how she had gotten to this point. She was enamored by him at first. But a year later, she felt it was a mistake. His attentions were replaced by his own expectations.
With dawn peeking through the window, she slipped out of bed and dressed, then went to make coffee. She looked at this home. Was it him, or the trappings of his wealth, that she had fallen for? She sat, nursing her mug, reflecting, and feeling a bit sick.
Later, John came in and poured himself a cup. "You got up early. I was hoping to make love to you again."
She knew what he really meant was to get off again. That she was little more than a receptacle for him.
"Sorry, John. I'm feeling a bit out of sorts. And tomorrow, I've got important things at work I need to be ready for. It's a busy week ahead."
"I still don't understand why you don't move in with me. You don't need to work. I can provide all you need. And I don't understand why you prefer that apartment," he replied.
"John, we've discussed this. Please, can you drive me home."
He looked at her, more disgusted than sympathetic.
John ate breakfast but she wasn't hungry. He wanted a rendezvous on Wednesday, but she demurred on account of work. So, on Friday, he'd pick her up. He dropped her off in front of her apartment. A U-Haul was out front; someone was moving in.
Evan just dropped another box of belongings in his new upstairs apartment. As he stepped out onto the balcony, he saw a stunning woman get out of a very expensive Mercedes. He watched, and to his delight, she was headed to his stairs. The stairs served two apartments. She must be his neighbor, he realized. She hadn't noticed him. She walked slowly, her mind seemed elsewhere.
He used the chance to get a good look. Long auburn hair. A skirt and blouse that spoke of elegant taste. He guessed she was twenty-five. And a figure, not thin but not too curvy. Evan decided he better get back to work before she noticed him watching. He stopped at the top of the stairs, to let her ascend.
She finally saw him and realized what the U-Haul was for. He looked quite young, she thought. And immediately liked the looks of her new neighbor.
"Are you moving into 2B?" she asked.
"Yes, Evan. Evan Michaels. Are you in 2A?"
"Yes, Amanda, Johnston. Nice to meet you. I think you'll like it here. It's quiet. Are you new in town?"
"Yeah, got a job here. They even paid moving expenses. I gotta get settled in today. Tomorrow, I report to work. I think it's going to be a busy week."
"I'll leave you to it," she replied, and unlocked her door.
She smiled at him, as she closed the door, and he could see he was going to like this place. He wondered about the Mercedes. She looked the type who would be attached to a guy who drove a car like that.
Amanda leaned against the door. Friday she would tell John it was over. She could use the week to steel herself for the confrontation she knew was coming.
******
The workweek began. Amanda and Evan never saw each other. He had a lot to absorb in his new job. And Amanda dug into her work, trying to forget about Friday.
Friday, Evan arrived home and grabbed a beer then plopped on his sofa. He made it through his first week, and relaxed. He needed to unwind. The anxiety of the new job gave way. He could do it. He began thinking about dinner. He wasn't in the mood to cook, but he had to.
Then he heard voices outside his door. A man's voice, getting louder. As he headed to the door, he heard him exclaim, 'Amanda!'
John turned to see the neighboring door open; and a young man standing in it.
Evan found a middle-aged man looking beet red, talking to Amanda. "Everything okay?" Evan asked, turning to her.
"This is a private conversation!" John replied.
"I don't care for a commotion outside my door!" Evan replied.
"Amanda, let's take this inside!" he ordered.
"I told you, John, it's over," she replied, trying to keep her composure.
"Amanda!" he shouted.
"I think the lady has spoken," Evan said imperiously. He wondered where this confrontation was headed.
John looked at Evan, anger in his face, then turned to Amanda, "You'll regret this!" He stormed down the stairs then the two watched as he drove off.
Amanda grabbed the balustrade and closed her eyes. Evan could see she was shaking.
"You, okay?"
Amanda turned to him, "Yes. And thanks. I was afraid of how this would go down. You made the difference."
But Amanda was still visibly shaken. He felt she needed some company, but somewhere safe.
"Listen, you look like you could use some company until your nerves settle. I saw that Mexican place down the road, and I wasn't in the mood to cook. Would you like to join me?"
"Thank you, Evan, but..." She thought about it. She could use some company. "Jose's Cantina? I could use a margarita."
It was just a few blocks and they walked. The walk helped clear her head.
They were shown a table. She ordered a margarita, and he ordered a beer. They sat in silence. The drinks came and they ordered food. Amanda wasn't hungry. The silence continued, as Evan let her be.
Finally, Amanda started, "Sorry about that. I didn't want him to come in. He can be persuasive, and my mind was made up."
"More like intimidating than persuasive. And I confess, it was an ego boost to chase off a bully like that." he replied.
"Yes, he can be a bully. That's why I needed out."
"How did you meet?" he asked.
She told him about meeting him at a function. He was very attentive. He took her to the theater and the symphony. And that over time, she came to see she was just another possession of a rich man.
"I guess his wealth was an attraction. I was a fool. He wanted me to move in; to quit my career. If I had, I would have been trapped. So, the writing was on the wall, as they say. And now I feel free. And it feels great! Well, maybe this margarita helped," she finished, looking at her empty glass.
The food arrived. "I hope you don't think I always drink like this, but I need another."
He asked the waitress for another margarita.
"So, your career?" he asked.
"I'm a metallurgist. I work for a consulting firm."
"You don't fit the stereotype of a metallurgist," Evan replied, with a smile.
"No." she laughed. "The company hired me after graduate school. I think they hired me as the token. But I acquitted myself. And I think they value my skills now."
"So, tell me about your work," he asked.
She did, and in great detail. He could tell she liked what she did. And why giving it up for John would have been wrong. He also saw that absorbing her in her work changed her. Her mood brightened. And it gave him the excuse not to take his eyes off her. He couldn't think of a more beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
Amanda saw he had nearly finished his food, and that she had nearly finished her margarita.
