Meeting Ava

(Feel free to use your imagination, or check out the inspiration for the characters in this chapter: Ava: https://freeimage.host/i/3NFh0AJ)

The rest of the week, Laura was buzzing with anticipation. Despite Rex’s reasonable request, she had refused to show him pictures of the beautiful Ava. Laura wanted Rex’s first impression of Ava to be in person.

Rex’s morning client meeting had gone well, but he had to drive several miles across LA for his second one and the Friday traffic was predictably awful. He stopped for lunch at one of his favorite tacquerias, Ranchos. It was nondescript, and about as “hole in the wall” as you could get in this nicer part of town. The line wasn’t too bad, and for that his stomach was grateful. The woman ordering caught Rex’s attention. From behind she had an amazing figure. She wore a pencil skirt and a yellow blouse. She had a sun hat, which was smart on a day like today and made Rex a little jealous that there weren’t socially acceptable male equivalents that could keep the blazing SoCal sun off your face and neck at the same time. But more than her outfit, she had a certain poise. He couldn’t hear her, but he could tell by the way the cashier responded to her that she commanded respect and inspired comfort at the same time. As she took her receipt and walked away, all the men’s eyes followed. Most caught themselves and turned to look back at something, anything. A few lingered longer though. Rex was stunned when he finally got to see her face. She was gorgeous. He looked away hoping she hadn’t seen his jaw drop. He spent the rest of his time in line composing himself before he finally got to order. As he took his receipt he noticed the other patrons, all male, had given her a wide berth. She was so beautiful they were intimidated. But Rex decided to be different. He walked to stand next to her, not too close to be creepy about it. But close enough for a casual conversation.

Unable to think of a slick line he simply said, “This place has been one of my favorites for years.”

“Is that so,” the beautiful woman replied. Her tone was guarded, but not closed off. She was willing to see where this went but wouldn’t hesitate to end the conversation if needed. “What’s your favorite dish? I wonder if I made the right choice.”

“Oh don’t you worry,” Rex replied. “Here there are no bad choices. As for favorites…hmmm…The carne asada burritos are unbelievable. But so are the fish tacos. Oh and the enchiladas. I guess you could say this is a great place if you appreciate variety.”

“Oh? Is that so?” She seemed pleasantly caught off guard with his banter. Enough so to keep the conversation going. “Well I’m only in town for a bit and I stumbled across this place. I’m a tad impatient and the traffic was driving me nuts so I stopped here. Seeing the line told me it must be at least halfway decent.”

“Ah, smart thinking. Very observant. Most don’t bother with this place because it isn’t featured in celebrities’ Instagram stories. But that only makes it better for those of us that enjoy it. Speaking of enjoyment, I didn’t catch your name? Im Rex.” He extended his hand.

The woman shook his head in return, not sure exactly what to make of the formality. “I’m Laura.”

“Oh no kidding? Thats’s my landlady’s name. She’s fantastic.”

“Oh? I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone that praises their landlord. A bit peculiar, no?”

“Oh well, let’s just say we have a good relationship and I am someone who values a strong friendship,” said Rex.

The two continued their small talk, turning towards current events. The conversation flowed naturally for both.

“You know,” Rex said. “This is so refreshing.”

“What is? The weather?”

“Ha! See right there, we’ve been chatting away and the weather hasn’t even come up once. I mean this conversation is refreshing. You’re refreshing! It’s all too common these days to have to drive a conversation with someone who can’t seem to form intelligent thoughts about anything other than the weather or maybe some celebrity gossip. But with you, we’ve talked about everything but that, and frankly, you’re so smart I’m starting to wonder if I’m out of my depth.” He smiled at her.

She smiled at him. Her order was called and she went to retrieve it. Rex was glad to have a pen in his pocket which he used to hurriedly write his number on his receipt. When Laura was walking back to head to her car, she made a polite wave at him to say goodbye. He couldn’t let the opportunity slip so he decided to try his luck again.

“Listen, you’re stunning, and equally smart and engaging. Any chance I could get your number Laura?” Rex asked.

“Um, sure,” she said to his surprise. He tore off a piece of the receipt and stood ready to write, prompting her to rattle of the digits. When she finished he handed her the other part of the receipt.

“What’s this?” She asked.

“My number. Why should everything be on a man’s timing?” He answered with a question.

Laura smiled at that and then left. Rex collected his food and his thoughts, pondering when he should call her.

————-

After his second and final meeting he headed to Sunny’s. It was a cafe at the outdoor mall where Laura, his landlady, had told him to meet her and Ava. Ava had arrived that afternoon and the two had jumped right to shopping. Rex spotted Laura by herself and went to sit across from her, a third seat empty but the mimosa half full.

She hugged him before he sat and said “Ava’s in the bathroom she’ll be right out. We had a great time.” She was smiling. Rex noticed the multiple bags around their seats. These LA women could shop.

“I’m excited to meet her,” Rex said. He ordered a drink from the waiter then continued. “Speaking of meeting, I met this wicked smart woman today at lunch. Stunning. I mean gorgeous. And guess what? I got her number.” Rex held up the torn receipt.

“Oh is that right Casanova? Do you think that’s her actual number?” She chided him.

“Well, um,” he drifted off. He hadn’t really considered that. They seemed to hit it off well. He pulled out his phone and typed the numbers in. “Ha, look!” He showed her his phone, it had recognized the numbers and popped up “Laura.” “She said her name was Laura.”

“You know for one of the smartest guys I know, you can be pretty thick. How would her name come up if you didn’t have her saved?”

Rex was confused. She was right of course. He hit the call button. A few seconds later, a phone on the table started buzzing. It was Laura’s phone. “What the he-” Rex started but was interrupted by noticing someone approaching. Not just someone. The Laura from Rancho’s.

“You!” They said in unison as he stood.

Rex collected his thoughts first. “You look incredible.” She had changed into a sundress that flattered her hourglass body and made sure her ample cleavage was able to enjoy the sunlight too. “You gave me a fake number.”

The woman blushed and laughed.

“And a fake name.” He added.

“Guilty.” She replied, smiling at Laura.

“So you must be Ava? Why did you tell me your name was Laura?”

“Well I don’t know you. You flirt me up at a taco stand and expect me to give you my real name and number just like that? Do you have any idea how many creeps are out there? I pulled the classic BFF filter. I gave you Laura’s name and number of course.”

“Of course?” Rex asked, still lost.

“It’s something we came up with in college.” Laura said. “If one of us needed the other to help vet a guy, we’d give them the other’s name and number. If we got a call from a strange man saying they had met us, we’d ask them a bunch of questions and see if things felt okay or not, before handing them back. Or blocking their number and telling them to forget about ever meeting. It usually worked quite well.” The two ladies shared a knowing look with each other. They had history, that was for sure.

“Ok,” said Rex. “I guess that’s fair enough. So, ‘actual Laura’ do I pass the BFF filter?” He added the emphasis for dramatic effect.

“Hmm,” Laura made a show to be thinking hard. “Well you are a gentlemen. And you complimented me to her without knowing it would get you bonus points.” So it looked like these two were the BFFs that shared everything…. That could be interesting, Rex thought. Laura continued, “And you gave her you number with that corny but also sweet line.” Rex winced a little. It had just blurted out. He thought it was a good thought, but he couldn’t help but overanalyze it after the fact and wonder if it was too corny. “Plus, Ava’s first words about you to me were ‘I met this hunk who’s also thoughtful.’”

Ava playfully smacked Laura’s arm. “Laura! Do not tell him that!”

Laura laughed mischievously. “Oh come on Ava. None of this playing coy and hard to get nonsense. You both want each other. It’s clear as can be. So have each other.”

“Well what if you hear us in your house? That would be awkward.” Ava said. It was clear now that Laura hadn’t brought up her desire to watch. It must be a tricky thing. She didn’t want to risk the rejection or the awkwardness. Again, something triggered in Rex, but he decided to wait for the right time. The three had a lovely conversation at the cafe to end a day of working and shopping. All three buzzed in anticipation of what the night would bring.