Dani Hai was sick to death of the dating scene. She was only 25, but unlike other people her age, she wasn't interested in the steady and unending stream of meaningless hookups and casual sex. She just wasn't wired that way. She'd always been a little different, always looking for something real and lasting, not just on the prowl for tonight's latest conquest. She wasn't looking to get married, but she at least wanted something that might last through tomorrow. She was beautiful, young, Asian, and tuned into all the dating apps, websites, and technological tools used to meet people. But she's had her fill of 'swiping left' on losers. Even the 'swipe-rights' ended up being disappointing. She wasn't desperate enough yet to try out the softer sex, though there had been offers. But she HAD recently had to replace her favorite toy. She was determined to find a human male before she wore this one out as well. She'd given up on perfect. Now she was just looking for decent.
She worked in IT, for a company that designed smart systems for the home. Right now, she was working on what she thought of as the Holy Grail of AI... true conversational interface. No more calling out, "Hey, Siri!" or "OK, Google!" The system would automatically know when you're talk TO it, or when you're just talking ABOUT it, based on tone of voice, context, inflection, phrasing, and a hundred other things that humans pick up on automatically. Things that had to be programmed, one by one, into the machine's matrix. She knew she could make two or three times as much if she moved to California's Silicon Valley, but it would cost five times as much to live there. Here in Orlando, she OWNED her 3-bedroom townhouse, and it even had a den that she'd made into an office. In California, she'd be renting something tiny and have roommates.
She was glad it was finally Friday. She was looking forward to hanging out with her BFF and talking about anything except coding. She pulled up to Cassia's townhouse and texted her that she was there. A second later, Cassia texted her to come in since she was still getting ready.
Dani and Cassia Simpson were the very best of friends, as close as sisters, even though they had almost nothing in common. Dani was serious, studious, and hardworking while Cassia was flirty and impetuous, always looking for the next good time. Dani was reserved and careful, but if there was a crowd, Cassia wanted to be in the very center, with all eyes on her. They'd met during their junior year at Orlando State University when Cassia had car trouble and Dani who happened to be walking by, came to her rescue. As it turned out, her car wouldn't start because the car wasn't all the way in 'Park'. Dani joked, "I've never met a real live airhead before. No offense!"
"None taken," replied Cassia. "Believe me, we're out there. Hi, I'm Cassia Simpson. And no, it's not Cassie or Cass. It's Ka-See-Uh."
"Hi, Cassia. I'm Dani Hai." Despite being polar opposites, they became best friends. Cassia dragged Dani out to parties and social gatherings, while Dani made sure Cassia managed to get through her classes well enough to pass. Dani graduated Summa cum Laude, and the fact that Cassia graduated at all was a happy surprise to both Cassia and her grateful father. Because of all that, Damien Simpson considered Dani his 'other daughter." Now, three years out of school, their friendship remained strong. Cassia jokes that without her, Dani would have missed out on all fun in college. Dani always cracks back that if it were not for her, Cassia would still be in college.
While Dani had a parent-approved corporate job in I.T. complete with a 401(k), Cassia worked as an admin assistant at a different tech company. While her income wasn't nearly enough to cover her lifestyle, she was kept comfortably afloat by regular assistance from the Bank of Daddy, much to her stepmother's annoyance. Because of this, Dani sometimes felt a little envious of her friend. Sure, Dani had a great job, she owned her townhouse, and her financial future looked very bright, but she secretly envied Cassia's great relationship with her dad. Her own father had made it abundantly clear that he'd wanted a son. He pushed her to do well and smiled ever-so-slightly at her achievements, but he never provided the praise and approval Dani was forever seeking. Once, after the girls had spent a particularly grueling Thanksgiving holiday with the Hai family, Cassia joked to Dani on the drive home, "Girl, between you and your dad, it's a wonder you're not on the pole!" Dani wanted to be offended but she had to admit her friend had a point. That was the last time she went home. She still FaceTimes with her mom every week or so, but she hasn't been back home. That was years ago.
She walked into Cassia's townhouse and yelled out, "I'm in the living room!"
Cassia yelled back, "Be down in a sec. You better not be wearing something boring!" A minute later she bounded down the steps and ran to hug her friend. They hadn't seen each other all week. Cassia looked appraisingly at Dani's outfit of a white cardigan that highlighted her meager boobs, with a short dark blue tartan print pleated skirt and black leggings. The skirt and leggings highlighted her sexy round ass. Cassia was wearing a pair of very tight ripped jeans with a tight black sweater, with a pair of black low-rise boots. There was a lot of smooth brown skin showing through her jeans.
Cassia said, "I like it! You got kind of a 'good girl-gone bad' vibe to it. And with that ass, black guys are gonna be all up on you!"
"Shut up!" cried Dani, blushing furiously. "I'm gonna go change!" she said, moving to go to Cassia's closet, but Cassia stopped her.
"No! You look amazing. It's perfect for you. Just, well, first let's fix those Asian eyes, make 'em pop!" Cassia applied a bit darker liner, making Dani look sultry and exotic. She stepped back to admire her work and said, "Hmph! I'd do you!"
Dani laughed, "Bitch, you couldn't get me! I'm way outta your league!"
Cackling like happy witches, they headed out the door to her car, Cassia declaring, "God, I created a monster!"
Cassia had arranged to meet up with a guy she'd met earlier in the week. He looked yummy, and he was supposed to bring along a yummy friend for Dani. He claimed to have a hook up at the Jurassic Grille, a really swanky restaurant at the Springs. Cassia was pretty skeptical and pressed him to make sure he was on the up and up, and he swore it was legit. They were supposed to meet at the front of the place at 7:00 and be seated by 8. It was now almost 8:30, and there was no sign of him. Dani looked really annoyed, mainly because she was already tired of the whole dating scene.
What the hell is wrong with guys today? Is there that much easy available sex out there that a guy can just blow off not one, but TWO hot girls at a time?! Did guys not even want to try anymore? Cassia said, "Fine! Screw that asshole! Daddy will buy us dinner!"
"Your dad's here?" asked Dani, looking around for Mr. Simpson.
"No, silly... his credit card is!" Cassia replied happily.
"Cassia, don't you ever get tired of mooching off your dad?" Dani asked.
"Look, if it's anybody else, it's mooching. When it's Daddy, it's being spoiled. Now ask me that again, but don't say 'mooching', instead say 'being spoiled'."
"Fine. Don't you ever get tired of being spoiled—okay, I hear how that sounds now. So where's Daddy taking us?"
"Daddy is taking me. Mr. Simpson is taking you. How about sushi? There's a great place over on the other side. I think it's called 'Bamboo.'"
"Ooohhh, thank you Mr. Simpson. You're too kind!" said Dani.
"I know, right? My dad's the best!" agreed Cassia. "He always has such good taste!"
The two friends walked along at a leisurely pace. They weren't in any hurry. They wanted to get there a little bit later to make sure the place wasn't crowded with a bunch of kids and families. Hopefully they might find some suitable company as well. They passed a Starbucks on the way. Cassia said, it's gonna be a late night. Im'ma grab a latte. You want one?"
Dani looked at the line and said, "No, I had iced coffee just before I left, and I'm still good. You mind if I wait here? I'm not feeling that line."
"Okay, but don't go anywhere. I'll be right back. You sure you don't want anything?"
"I'm good. I'll be right here."
Cassia walked over to the coffee line, and Dani sat on the low wall to wait, and took out her phone. As she was swiping it open, she noticed a guy sitting about ten feet from her, and she juuuust caught him checking her out before he quickly looked away. He was pretty cute: black guy (Cassia did warn her!), short hair, solidly built, in really nice shape. He was kinda short, but then so was she. She caught his eye and smiled. He smiled back, and gave her that smooth little head nod all black guys seem to know. As she looked him in the face, she noticed two things. He wasn't a kid. He looked older, more mature. Maybe 35 or so. And he looked vaguely familiar.
The fact that he was older was not a deal breaker. Dani was tired of young guys. They only thought with one body part, and that body part usually made monumentally bad decisions. They weren't confident or sure of themselves yet, so they spent too much time showing off trying to prove themselves; to the girl, to other guys, to their parents, it didn't matter... it was exhausting. Yes, they had nice hard bodies and great stamina, but what good is it if they can go four times in a night, but can't make you cum once? No... this older guy might get a shot as long as he didn't mess it up!
But he did look familiar. Think, Dani! Where is he from?! Quick, before Cassia gets back. She glanced at Starbucks and saw Cassia was still in line to order. She saw the video screens with the menus and prices, and then she remembered! His name was... Mike, no... something different... not an everyday name. Morris? Sounded right, but no... Maurice!
She moved over to him and said, "Maurice, right?"
He looked panicked... she obviously knew him. How the FUCK could he forget meeting such a gorgeous girl? He stammered, "Uhhhm, yeah, I'm... I'm Maurice. Uhhhhmm, Maurice Roman. I'm really sorry, but how do you know me? I mean I just can't believe I could possibly forget meeting someone like you."
Dani was impressed. Most guys would pretend that they remember and try to guess. To tell a pretty girl you don't remember her is pretty confident... like he knows he'll get a chance to know her again. So far so good. She held out her hand and said, "I'm Dani Hai. We met at that Smart House trade show last year. I was pretty new with the company, so they made me go as a booth babe,' and—"
Maurice finished her thought, "And we spent the whole afternoon talking. I remember now! You looked so young, I thought that any minute, some big muscle-bound football player was gonna come at me for flirting with his girl."
"Ahh, so you WERE flirting with me! I thought so, but then I never heard from you again and I thought I imagined the connection."
"Nah, you didn't imagine it. I just wasn't in position to uhm... get back with you. Gotta be straight with you, I was married at the time."
"So, I was young and impressionable, and being hit on by a married man?!" Dani pretended to be outraged.
Maurice said, "Whoa, girlie! You were working me pretty hard yourself. Giggling, playing with your hair, touching my arm, biting that bottom lip, just like you're doing right now," he pointed at her playfully. "Quit actin' all innocent!"
He was right, she was acting all flirty. She NEVER acted like this! She needed to take control before she just handed this man her panties. "So, what about now, Mr. Married? Is this a better time, or is Mrs. Roman still waiting at home while her husband chats up impressionable young women?"
