Ecstasy Lake by Alastair Sarre

like that.’ She withdrew her hand. ‘I like risk.’ She ran her tongue along her upper lip.
    The waitress brought a plate of nachos. Melody looked at it and gave a little twitch of her nose.
    â€˜ Way too much cheese,’ she said, and ate some anyway. ‘Tell me something?’ She wiped a crumb from her mouth. ‘What do you see in Tasso? I know he’s rich, but you don’t seem the sort of person who likes rich for rich’s sake.’
    â€˜We’ve been friends for years.’
    â€˜That doesn’t answer the question. I don’t think I like him. I’m curious why you do.’
    â€˜Tasso has his flaws.’
    â€˜Such as the way he views women.’
    The waitress came to take our order. ‘Two more again, thanks.’ We looked at each other as the waitress lowered the flag and took our empty glasses.
    â€˜What do you mean by that?’
    â€˜We’re just vaginas on legs to him.’
    â€˜I wouldn’t say that. He likes women.’
    â€˜Does he? He likes vaginas.’
    â€˜Of course he likes women. He’s just not interested in relationships.’
    â€˜Which was my point, I think.’
    â€˜I suppose you could call his attitude to women a flaw. Perhaps his main flaw. But he has strengths.’
    â€˜Such as?’
    â€˜He’s loyal. Tasso always looks out for his friends. He might scold them and yell at them. He might make fun of them. But in the end he’ll always look out for them.’
    â€˜And that’s what you like about him?’
    â€˜I like that he’s loyal to his friends. He’s also smart, funny, generous.’
    â€˜So you’re prepared to overlook the way he treats women.’
    â€˜I don’t overlook it. But the women he takes to bed are over eighteen. Just. Presumably they can make decisions for themselves. He doesn’t hit them, he’s always charming, he gives them money and jewellery and apartments. As far as I’m concerned, they can decide for themselves if it’s worth it.’
    â€˜Uh huh.’
    â€˜Is that not correct?’
    â€˜They might not always have a choice.’
    â€˜I don’t know what you mean.’
    â€˜Forget it, then.’
    â€˜Okay, I’ll forget it.’
    â€˜What shall we do now?’
    â€˜What would you like to do?’
    She looked straight into my eyes. ‘Drink another couple and then dodge the breathalysers back to your place.’
    â€˜Uh huh.’
    â€˜Have I shocked you?’
    â€˜No. What I mean is, yes. Am I just a dick on legs to you?’
    â€˜Of course not.’
    â€˜You’re kind of blunt.’
    â€˜Life is short. Why waste it being reserved? I like you, you like me. What’s to stop us having a fun evening?’
    â€˜Harlin?’
    â€˜Only if he finds out.’
    The waitress came with the drinks. I wasn’t sure I was in the mood for frozen margaritas anymore. We sat for a while in silence, drinking our drinks and nibbling our food.
    â€˜I can’t do it,’ I said.
    She looked like she didn’t care much. ‘Why not? Is there someone else?’
    I thought for a moment, wondering how much I should say. ‘There was someone.’
    â€˜Was?’
    â€˜Was. But I’m not sure I can be with someone else. Not yet. Not someone like you.’ I couldn’t take my eyes off her exquisite lips.
    â€˜What do you mean, someone like me?’
    â€˜I don’t know.’ I heard the chatter and clatter of the restaurant for the first time in a long time. ‘Anyway, it’s too risky for you.’
    â€˜As I say, life’s short. Sometimes you’ve got to take a risk. I thought you were a risk-taker.’
    â€˜You’re mad at me.’
    â€˜I don’t think I’m mad at you. Maybe we have misunderstood each other.’
    â€˜Maybe. I want to see you again.’
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜To clear up the