Fairy Keys by bodaszilvia
Part VI Fairy Keys by bodaszilvia, http://www.deviantart.com/art/Fairy-keys-127068674
She met Jason at a coffee shop near her office building. It felt a little awkward when she walked in. He was already at a table, wearing Dockers and a polo shirt, and stood up to greet her when he saw her come in. Ying extended her hand, it seemed too early in the relationship to even kiss cheeks in greeting.
He looked a little surprised but grinned as he held her chair. Jason waved a waitress over. “I’ll have coffee, a bowl of oatmeal and a side of fresh fruit.”
Ying was pleased. He didn’t go for a huge fry-up. “Coffee, soft boiled egg and I’ll have the fruit, also.”
“Right away, folks.” The waitress left.
“How’s your leg?” He sat quietly, not fidgeting with the salt and pepper shakers, his hands folded together on the table.
Ying liked that he looked interested. She held the leg out and pulled up her suit pant’s leg. The skin was scraped, a few streaks where blood had been drawn. He leaned over the table to look. “I didn’t want to pull stockings over it.” She dropped the pant leg.
“Sensible. You’re working today?”
“I am.” Ying paused as the waitress brought their coffees. “Thank you,” she told the waitress.
Jason thanked her, too, then reached for the cream.
Ying reached for the sugar. “I just made partner and six work days a week is kind of standard.”
“Congratulations.” Jason handed her the creamer as she pushed the sugar toward him. “What do you do?”
“Thank you. I’m a sales rep for Stein and McVie, selling financial products. You?” Now she’d find out how a young man could peel off hundred dollar bills to pay for cabs.
“Video game designer. Race to the Moon is one of our recent games.” He stirred the sugar into his coffee.
“Nice. I haven’t heard of it but good for you.”
Jason rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I get that a lot. But it doesn’t matter. It’s a big market anyway.”
“You have a company? I heard you say ‘our’?” Despite the fact they were seated in the middle of the coffee shop, the conversations going on around them felt like a curtain. Totally private.
“Yeah. I’m the owner, well, third owner. My two college buddies are the other partners.”
Ying smiled. “Very good! I’m impressed. You’ve done well for yourself.”
“So have you. Partner already and you’re what, twenty-two?” He arched an eyebrow and grinned.
“Cute way to ask. No, I’m twenty-seven. You?”
“Twenty-eight!
Just then the waitress brought their food. As they ate, they traded information on favorite hobbies and books. As she paid her check, Ying realized she never even touched the key in her pocket, she’d been that comfortable with Jason.
When she stood up to go, Jason stood with her. “Look,” he gave her a card. “Call my number, make an appointment with my secretary. We might be in the market for some financial products.”
Ying’s eyebrows went up. “Oh!” She took the card, confused. Had he called her because he liked her or because she was a financial rep? “Uh, sure. First thing Monday.” She turned and left the shop, tucking the card in her jacket pocket. All the way to the office she tried to puzzle out what just happened. She thought they were getting along so well.
In her office she researched video game companies and drafted out a plan to talk to them about. By three, most of the rest of the partners and associates had left. She tidied up her desk and left notes with the outline for Sharon to type up in the correct format and went home, still confused about Jason. Was the key keeping them apart or did he think she was just after his business? She changed into running gear and left her apartment. A run would help clear her mind.
Sunday morning, she was deep into the financial pages of the Sunday paper when the phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hey, Ying. It’s Jason.”
Her heart began to beat like humming bird wings. “Hi, Jason. I wasn’t expecting a call.”
“Well, I meant to ask you yesterday but you left me bemused. How would you like to have brunch? I hope you haven’t eaten. The Ritz has the best brunch on the planet. Tell me you haven’t eaten!”
She laughed with relief that it didn’t seem as though he was just looking for financial products and the way he was pleading. “Well, I did have some fruit a couple of hours ago but I think I can manage brunch. What time should we meet?”
“Let’s say noon. That gives you an hour to get ready.”
“Very considerate. I’ll meet you at noon at the Ritz.”
“Great! See you there.”
Ying, grinning, clicked her phone off. So, based on his enthusiasm, he liked her too. She took a deep breath and patted the key in her lounging pants pocket. “Thank you key,” she murmured and got up from her sofa, pages of the paper cascading to the floor. Time for a shower and a look through the closet. She wanted to strike just the right note when he saw her.
Thank You!
End Part VI: 865 Words