Lost & Found

I apologize for not prefacing the layout in the first part of this story. First time jitters. This is part two of three. I also want to thank everyone who rated and favorited the previous installment. Thank you for making this such a positive experience.

Lost & Found Pt. 2

On Wednesday I got a call from a friend inviting Nat and I to a party he was throwing on Saturday. Nothing big. Twenty people max. I said it sounded like it might be fun. Then I told him about Natalie. He was a little shocked. He asked how long. I explained the situation. I told him I had a friend, newish, unrelated to the break up, and asked if I could bring her along. He said of course.

I texted Dom and asked her if she was interested.

D: Is it a good friend of yours or a buddy?

J:Former co-worker. He didn't know I was single.

D:Is it a couples dinner party type of thing, or a frat boy kegger?

J:Closer to the latter. He and his roommate are millennial gamer types. Wine, weed and good conversations

I waited a minute then added

J:My other idea was heading out to Crofton on Saturday morning. They have a really great farmers market there that has an amazing country breakfast

D:If you take me out of the equation would you have gone to the party alone?

J: Idk. A week ago, I didn't know if I was leaving the house before Thanksgiving.

J: But spending time with you trumps seeing them.

D: Alright. I'm in. I want a rain check for that country breakfast though.

J: You got it. I'll drive and go easy, stick to two beer on Saturday.

D: You don't want to cab it?

J: Not a great neighborhood. I've waited quite a while for taxi's before. I feel safer driving and being free if we aren't having a good time. Covid has changed everybody.

D: Gotcha. You're afraid you could be walking into a Q anon stronghold aren't you?

J: You never know how well you know somebody until you don't want to know them

D: That's deep. Also, I hope it never applies to me.

J: I'm sure it won't. You seem like a real 'what you see is what you get' type of woman.

D: You've seen enough, haven't you. And thank you for not using girl or gal.

J: I'll text you on Saturday afternoon to let you know what time.

D: Okay. See you then.

I spent the next couple of days solidifying my plan to let the office go. I was looking into storage for the furniture until I could sell it. If I took rent, utilities and the weekly cleaning into consideration, I was going to cut almost 8k a month. It never seemed like a lot, but when you realize it's 90k a year, it was a lot. If I put even ten percent of that into online advertising, it could make a huge impact on our business.

Friday evening, I contemplated going downstairs to see if Dom wanted to hang out, but decided not to smother her since I would be seeing her the next night. She sure was spending enough time in my thoughts. I was really looking forward to Saturday night.

The next day, I puttered around doing groceries and some cleaning. I even changed my linens and added a couple of pillows to the bed. You never know. In the afternoon, I took a nap then got up and shaved. I texted Dom and asked her if 8 pm was okay with her. She replied it was great and asked if I was sure about driving, if I wanted to join her for a liquid courage or two before heading out and just get a cab. I told her I was fine and didn't want to get lit too early.

After my shower, I fixed a plate with some crackers, hummus, cheese and olives. I didn't want to have anything too heavy. A knock at the door broke the silence in the apartment. I opened the door, revealing a sight that took my breath away for a second. Dom was wearing a black dress that clung to her body as if she was poured into it. Scoop neck, capped sleeves, mid-thigh. It looked to be a soft stretch material like leggings are made of. And it wasn't doing a good job of hiding her push up bra. Black nylons and Doc Martens finished her outfit, with the leather jacket that was draped over her arm. Her make up made her look like someone else completely. The dark mascara and eyeliner made her hazel eyes lean to the green side. She had her hair slicked back, with a gelled wet look.

"Well... You like?" she asked, doing a little twirl. I opened my mouth twice to start to say something and aborted both times. There were no words for how good she looked.

"I hope the cat hasn't got your tongue, you might need it later." She slid past me into the condo, depositing a bag on the island, and her jacket over a chair. "C'mon Jase, seriously, do I look okay? Its been a long time since I didn't look like a representative of the cat lady society. Please tell me I don't look like a clown!"

"Okay, first, stop! You most definitely do not look like a clown. I know that it's cliche, but I was speechless. You look incredible. I would have walked by you on the street, and not realized it was you!"

"But would you have turned to check out my ass, by the front of store advertisement?" she said with a wink.

"Oh, one hundred percent. Like walk into a lamp post obvious." She brought her hands up to do a little happy clap while bouncing on her toes, the former squeezing her ripe little tits together, the latter setting them jiggling. She leaned in, and took me by the shoulders and gave me a kiss on the cheek. She smelled divine. "I might have to put you in the back seat if I am going to get us there in one piece."

"You really mean that? It's been a long, long time since I got dolled up" she said while giving me a questioning gaze, batting her eye lashes for effect.

"The way you look right now, I would have followed you out of the chapel on my own wedding day. Of course, that would have saved me a lot of time and misery. Why weren't you there for me, Dom?"

She laughed and gave me a playful punch in the chest. "You keep up that smooth talking and maybe you will get to use that tongue tonight, after all. But now - it is time for a drink!" A bottle of vodka and a jug of Clamato materialized out of the shoulder bag. Again, she moved about my kitchen with uncanny ease, as if she wasn't guessing where things were, but compelling them to be there in the place she chose.

"Have you eaten? I was just making a picking plate, but I could double it quick."

"Mmm, yeah. I ate at like 2:30, but I should put a base down now so I don't get blitzed. Can we split that and add veggies and the rest of the hummus, if there is any?" Dom asked, turning to the fridge.

"Yes, yes, and, also, yes." She passed me some carrots, cucumber and a crown of broccoli. I got out the cutting board and she passed me a knife. I got a plate and started to split up the cheese and crackers.

"You can just leave those and we can share off the same plate and throw the veggies in a bowl on the side. I told you. I'm staking claim. We're going to be sharing a lot more in the future. Popcorn. Soap. Saliva. Get comfy." She reached out, and covered my hand with hers and smiled.

"I'm okay with sharing. But I have to warn you, I've been alone for a few months. You might catch me double dipping."

"I would be offended if you didn't. In fact, we are going to dip directly out of the container, just so we have to finish it." She pulled the cover off and scooped with a cracker, then stuck an olive on top and pushed it into her mouth, crunching down loudly, chewing for a minute, then scrunching her face up, she stuck her crumb covered tongue out at me. We both broke out laughing, hers turning into a snort fest.

When we recovered, I did something that was very uncharacteristic in me - I told her what I was feeling. "You know Dom, in just over a week, you've shown me that a big thing that was missing in my marriage, and my life, was fun. Natalie and I never did anything fun. Everything was work, housework, and downtime was spent planning things for the future. Even a dinner with friends was planned out a week ahead of time. Like, on paper. Nat would make lists. Thursday - Pick up wine. Friday - stop for host gift on the way home. Saturday - do groceries early. Nothing spontaneous ever happened. That's what Natalie was like. And I became that way, because I thought it was normal and adult."

Dominique interjected, "You weren't like that when you were younger? Were you a routine and regimen type of guy?"

"Not at all. Go with the flow. I never knew on Saturday morning what I was doing that afternoon. When I met Natalie in our last year at college, she sort of convinced me that I was a little aimless and needed structure and purpose. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have started my own business so soon, or taken chances that made it succeed without that structure and dedication, but along the way I lost sight of fun. I think that your playfulness is the thing I find most attractive in you, what I'm most drawn to."

Dom looked into my eyes for a few seconds, then took a sip of her drink and said, "I was hoping it was my ass or amazing gravity defying boobs...." she gave an awkward side glance then looked down, clearing her throat.

"Well, I uh, I mean obviously, but you.. Uh," I was dying a slow death, made worse by Dominique appearing to tear up. "Look, Dom,.." She couldn't control it anymore and doubled over in a big barrel laugh. The tears had been her trying to hold her mirth at my struggle in. I flushed red in embarrassment, then shook my head in defeat and joined in her laughter. It felt good. "You see what I mean? That was infuriating, but also fun at the same time!"

When the laughter subsided and all eyes were dried, we returned to the food and as we ate Dom kept looking up at me and smiling.

"What?"

"What were you thinking about for the last minute? You went from flushed, embarrassed to a whole other vibe." I hesitated. "You might as well tell me, because I will get it out of you I will resort to.."

"Tickling." I said straight faced.

"Yes!" Dom arched an eyebrow in challenge.

"No, it's what I was thinking a minute ago."

She squinted her eyes looking for a dishonesty tell. "You're not serious!"

"Completely. I was thinking back to how my sister and I would settle the score after being pranked, and it was usually with a good old hurricane force tickling. Like, until the pranker was blue and could no longer breathe. I was thinking about doing that to you." I told her matter-of-factly, then popped a carrot into my mouth and began to chew. "What are you thinking about right now?"

It was Dom's turn to blush."Uhn, tickling defense in a seated position?" she responded.

"Nope. You were totally wondering if I was going to Tarzan you over my shoulder and throw you on the bed or sofa."

Dom's chest and neck turned crimson. "Okay. I hadn't considered the bed, but busted. After the foot rub the other night, I was wondering if those hands and fingers would be just as good at finding my ticklish spots. The more I thought about it, I was pretty sure I would be an active participant after a minute or so and would be pointing them out to you. And then just start pointing out other places for the hell of it." She picked up her drink and downed it.

"Good to know. I look forward to the training session. But, we better get this cleaned up and head out if we are going to this party." Not a moment too soon. I suspected that Dom had started with at least one cocktail before coming up here. Even with her small frame, she seemed to have let her inhibitions drop a little much for one drink. I was glad I had abstained from drinking this afternoon, and around Dom in general this week. Tarzan was close to making an appearance.

We cleaned up and I got dressed. The ride across town was uneventful except for the playlist Karaoke. At least our taste in music was a match. Indie and Alternative anthems were belted out with gusto. I was lucky to find parking just down the block from Alan's apartment. I was a lower middle class neighborhood with two and three story flat roof buildings. After ringing the bell, we waited a minute for someone to answer. We could hear some Alternative music playing through the thin walls. Dom ran a palm back across her hair, forcing any stragglers into subservience.

"I hope you're not nervous. These guys are acquaintances, not friends or buddies. No stress. Nobody you have to impress" I said, putting my hand on her shoulder and looking into her eyes with raised eyebrows, waiting for a response.

"I understand. It's an age thing. Every year that goes by, means more and more, I'm the old lady at the party. At least tonight I have you as a wing man and won't have a half dozen young men marking me as a easy pick up at the end of the night if they strike out with everything else. And... The only person I wanted to impress tonight is you," Dom said, color coming to her cheeks. She reached out and turned the door handle, pushing the door open and waltzed into the place like she owned it. I really liked this lady's confidence.

I followed her in, and finding no pile of footwear at the door, took it as a sign that it was cool to continue booted. I lead her down the hallway, towards the kitchen at the back passing rooms on either side with small knots of three or four people in conversation, nodding and waving to people I had met before, As I expected, Tyler was in the kitchen holding court with four ladies, mixing drinks. He came and gave me a bro shake and I introduced Dominique. He in turn introduced the girls, also indicating who they came with, as they were all new to the group, as he finished pouring some concoction out of a shaker, then presented the drinks to the young women. They tried them and thanked him before moving off back to the front of the apartment. Tyler offered us a drink, but I explained I was driving and was going to stick to two beer. Dominique, got her mix and vodka out after asking for a glass.

We made our way through the apartment. Tyler made introductions where necessary and I introduced Dom when I knew people already. There were about twenty people there all tolled. Most of the new faces seemed to be neighbors from the street, as was the case with the young ladies and their dates. I have to admit, it felt good to be among people again.

After making some small talk in the living room with a couple of groups, Dom motioned with her glass that she was going for a refill. I gave her a smile and nodded. Tyler and his roommate Steve motioned me over and pointed towards the back. As we made our way through the kitchen Tyler brandished a rather large joint and held it up in question to Dom, who was finishing mixing her drink.

"Oh, uh.. No. I'm good. I'm going to stick on the vodka wave. You guys knock yourself out." Once outside they lit up and Tyler said he didn't want to pry, but wanted to know what was up with Natalie and I. I related the tale much the same way I did to Dom while they smoked the joint and then worked on their drinks. Also, much like Dom, they were completely floored by Nat's rational coldness. We popped into the kitchen for drink refills, and I went to piss out the first beer. I popped my head into the salon and saw that Dom was in conversation with two young women and a Latino looking guy with a man bun. I grabbed my second beer and returned outside.

Steve asked about Dom, and I explained that we were hanging out, but that it wasn't serious or intimate yet. I stressed the word yet, bringing catcalls from the boys. We caught up on what they were doing for work, and my new plans for my business as random people appeared to smoke. I checked my phone and was shocked that it was ten thirty already. Time does fly when you are catching up. I excused myself and went to check on Dominique. In the kitchen, I noticed her bottle of Kettle One was almost empty. Uh-oh. Walking through the apartment, I noticed that there were far less people than earlier in the evening, particularly the group of young ladies and their dates.

I found Dominique in the front salon still, sitting with Mr Manbun. She was a little glass eyed and he had his arm around her shoulders, and was bent, speaking softly into her ear. I noticed that her drink was mostly full, but there was a tall empty glass with Clamato stains in front of him, and another across the table. At least she hadn't killed the whole bottle herself. When she saw me, her eyes lit up a little, and then changed into something else. Guilt? No, something else but I could tell something wasn't right.

"Hey Dom, uh, are you OK? You look a little drowsy, do you want to head out?" I asked. Another change in her eyes. Relief. Then it hit me. The other look was a plea. "I'll get your bag from the kitchen."

"Okay..." she started.

Man bun half turned pulling his arm off her shoulder. "She's fine buddy. Aren't you darlin'?" he asked, as her rubbed her upper arm. "You can head out. Dominique wants to stay and party some more. She won't get into any trouble she can't handle. Isn't that right honey?"

"Uuhhh.." Dom looked to me, but Man Bun raised his hand and turned her chin towards him, making eye contact. The look of confusion on Dom's face melted into something else. She also flushed. His hand slid up and cupped her cheek, then to the back of her head, and he pulled her in and kissed her. She didn't meet the enthusiasm of his lips, and pushed him away.

I bunch of emotions were warring inside of me at the moment, but what my mind latched onto was that she may have been drugged. I acted. "Hey!" Man Bun stopped trying for another lip assault and turned, a smug look on his face. "What I said a minute ago wasn't a request I was running by you, Buddy. Dominique came with me, she is going to leave with me. She's had a lot to drink, and I am going to make sure she gets home safe."

"That is a decision for the lady to make, not you, Pal!" He turned to Dom, "Do you want to get out of here?"

"Listen, I invited her out and took responsibility for keeping her safe. Right now, she doesn't seem to be entirely on the right side of sober" I pulled a pen out of my pocket, and peeled a post it off the pad by the home phone (thank god for millennials and their nostalgia), and handed them to him. "Write down your name and number and give it to her. If she wants to get in touch with you tomorrow or some other time, she is more than welcome to. But, tonight, she is going home and sleeping in her own bed. Alone. Write!" I pushed the pen and post it into his chest, and stared him down for a few seconds before he reluctantly reached up and took them.

"I think she can... ", he started.

"I didn't ask you to think. I asked you to write. The fact that Dominique hasn't uttered a word throughout this conversation only re-enforces my suspicion that she may not be buying what you're selling. Maybe she's had too much sauce. Maybe someone put something in her drink. I'm not saying it was you, because an accusation like that sticks to a guy like syrup, but I'm telling you one last time that she is leaving with me. Final answer."

It didn't take him long to give in and stand. "Okay. Your way guy, I don't need this drama." He picked up his drink and exited the room, heading towards the back.

I looked at Dom. She was still flushed, but seemed a little more alert. "I'm going to go get your bag. Do you want me to get his number for you?" She shook her head.

"Nooo sir. Thank you for getting rid of him. Let's go." She got up and went to the front to get her jacket. I made my way to the back and collected her bag. I was going to pop out back to thank our hosts and say goodnight, but didn't want to give Man Bun any excuses to start something. When I got to the front, Dom was already outside.

"I really needed some crisp air. It's sobering." She was hugging herself. Leather looks good, but it doesn't warm you up much.

"C'mon, let's get you in the car and warmed up, I said, watching her to make sure she was steady on her feet. She seemed to be walking fine. That was a good sign. I opened the door and held out my hand for her to steady herself while getting in. She said she was OK and slid into the seat, and buckled up. I got in and started the car. The silence was a little uncomfortable, but understandable. What was more uncomfortable for me was the smell of her arousal that was now very recognizable once we were in the confined space. It was going to take a miracle for me to make it home without getting an erection. She smelled so good, and it had been so long since I had encountered some hot pussy up close.