With a deep breath, I stand and walk over to her, taking the empty seat and angling myself toward her. Up close, her lips are pinker than I thought with some sort of gloss over them. Her glass is nearly empty, thank God, so I say, “Can I buy you another?” When her eyes finally flick to mine, they are indeed purple. She must wear contacts. I hold my breath, waiting for her answer.
“Shit, you have to be an exchange student with an accent like that. Where the hell are you from?”
I release my breath; thankful that wasn’t a ‘go away’ response. “Finland and I’m not an exchange student.”
“Doctor, then? Well, you don’t look like a doctor, but then again…who knows.” She doesn’t sound thrilled, though. “Sure, I’ll take that drink.”
I call the bartender over and order her a new drink. “What do I look like then?”
“Well,” she looks me up and down and squints. “You look like you got lost in a GAP online store, so I’ll rule out fashion designer. You look straight, too. That’s a plus,” she mumbles. “You’re sort-of muscular, also a plus. So, you’re either a construction worker here on a Green Card or a really bad-looking pimp.”
“I’m none of those. The muscles should have been a good clue. I’m Valo, Hockey God of the Eagles,” I joke.
Her mouth parts with mild surprise. “That’s your pick-up line? Really? Let me tell you something, Finland; that is horrible. Just…bad. Do you ever get laid with that? I’m going with no.”
I try not to smile. “I decided to test it out on you first. Good to know it sucks.”
“And I knew who you were when you walked over. I was just fucking with you. I’m Jade.”
“I’m going to guess you don’t care for hockey, Jade?”
“I watch it from time-to-time, but I’m not huge on sports. How’s it working out for you?” she jokes.
“Good. Better than I thought it would.”
She laughs, and I love the sound of it. “I’m pretty sure I read somewhere you just signed a six-million-dollar a year contract with the Eagles. Sounds better than good,” she rolls her eyes at me.
“Well, yeah, when you look at it that way. You know what I do, what do you do?”
“Well, what do I look like, Finland?”
“I don’t know. Looks are deceiving. If I had to guess,” I take my time looking her over. “I’d guess a teacher who likes to go crazy once the school day is over.”
“Wow, how did you know that? That’s exactly what I am. Good job, Finland.”
“Really? I didn’t think I would actually be right. I’ve never been good at guessing anything.” I’m surprised I’m right.
“Bravo,” she claps her hands. “You nailed this one on the first try.”
“So, what kinds of crazy things do you like to get into?”
“Hhmm… I live on the dangerous side by surviving the concrete jungle on a nightly basis. What about you, Finland? How long have you been in the big ‘ole USA?”
“About seven years. You know, Jade, Valo sounds nicer to me than Finland. Feel free to use that instead.” I want to hear her say it, and who doesn’t prefer their own name to a country?
“Fine.” She rolls her eyes. “Valo. Is there a wife, girlfriend, or some arranged marriage back home?”
I laugh. “No to all. I haven’t met anyone, so single. You?”
“Currently unattached. Then again, I’m not the ‘attached’ kind. Are you, Valo? Do you love all the romance that us American women give you?”
“I won’t say yes, but I won’t say no either. Do you think American women are knocking my door down? You said I look like a really bad-looking pimp.” I raise a brow.
“I was joking. Do they not joke in your homeland?”
“Yes, they do. You just don’t seem to be the joking kind.”
“Trust me when I say, I’m not a big jokester. I don’t have a lot to smile about these days, but that’s a story for another time. You know,” she looks at me deeply, “you seem like a nice guy, Valo. I’m not used to nice guys. I really hope that you find a nice girl someday.” She starts to leave and I take her by the elbow.