Brian looks extremely bored. Why? I don't know, but I'm not about to ask him. Because I don't like him......right?

"This is delicious, Mick" I smiled at him as we ate our dinner. He looked up and smiled. Just then a waiter appeared at our side, "there is a lady waiting outside who says she has a reservation with you, or someone that looks like you" he told me. I'm sure I looked extremely confused because he tentatively added her name, "it's Marianne, who's looking for you, if that helps."
Recognition donned on my face, but I was still confused, why was Marianne here? I looked over at Mick, but he just shrugged.
"Um ok, can you bring her here?" I asked slowly, the waiter nodded and walked away.
"Know what that's about?" Mick asked as he gulped down some of his drink.
"Nope" I replied, plastering a half moon smile on my face.
Again, my eyes slid to Brian's table right 5 feet away.
He was looking back.
I quickly turned my eyes back to Mick, who was looking past me. Marianne had come.
Mick stumbled out of the booth and guided Marianne to the table. I cringed inwardly and rolled my eyes, oh boy, what fun this will be.
"So, hello everyone!" Marianne smiled brightly, unaware of the changed air between the three of us.
What an awkward triangle.
She reaches over and pats my hand, "no hard feelings Ruby? We were..intoxicated?" She says it like a question and I smile thinly back, not quite meeting her eyes, maybe her nose, or eyebrow, eyebrows are fun-
"So, I couldn't help but notice this trio of people I know, I just had I say hello"
I look up, startled by Brian's raspy voice.

What a fun night.

"Hi, Mick, Marianne" he greets them with a nod, then he swivels toward me, "and hello, Ruby"
"Hi" I manage to squeak out, before taking a long sip from my glass. Mick, who'd been watching thus exchange silently, suddenly piped up; "where's your bird, Brian? The blonde one, she'd be lonely with you over here."
His eyes widened a bit and he said a bit loudly, making sure I could hear.
"Oh uh, I didn't know her, she's just some fan I don't even know, but I guess she's some magazine winner, or at least that's what she told me..." He trails off uncertainly, fingering his lip. "but she's disappeared now, so I guess if I-" he stops, starts again, "Im just trying to ask if maybe I could join you guys? I mean, I haven't really eaten yet and I don't just want to sit there by myself"
"All on your lonesome?" I ask with a small smile, he sees it and lifts his eyes to mine, "exactly."
"Well, sure then, ok slide on in" Mick says jovially, "maybe later the four of us could go out to the beach or a club or something, the night is young!"
Everyone laughs and Brian slides in right beside me.
Well, what a turn around.