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Unfortunately Tinker knew it too. She was sitting but the bar, drinking her second Martini and trying to keep in mind that she was actually having a hangover and that she'd get drunk very easily, which she didn't want to. But seeing those two on the dance floor got her mad. Both mad and afraid.
It wasn't unusual. Most of the times they went out, Marilyn picked some guy, vanished for fifteen minutes, returned fixing her hair wondering if the poor guy would ever overcome his experience. But this time it was different. Not just because it was AJ McLean. Well, partly. But something in that name, seeing those two guys standing on the door in the first place got her senses overloaded.
Tinker had a faint memory of the game they played and she did know that boys were part of it. But it wasn't just that. It was the fact that almost everything Marilyn had said out loud that she'd wished, almost everything came true. Tinker remembered how relieved she had been in the concert when she realized that drinks weren't involved in their package since Marilyn had been longing for a glass of champagne ever since they started to get ready for the concert. But what had they been offered when entering the club? Not champagne, no. Of course champagne! And how contempt smile on Marilyn's face made Tinker almost to throw up.
Well, maybe she couldn't prevent what was going on between AJ and Marilyn but she could just hope that it would go like every other case of their life and Marilyn would crawl into her own bed when sun was already rising and their heads would be aching so much they wanted to chop those off from their shoulders. And she could stay away from Brian.
Tinker glanced over group of Tom Jones' escorts where Brian had few minutes earlier chatted with Robin but he wasn't there anymore. He's just gone bed early, she thought. But when she heard nice voice next to her asking if he could sit down, she wasn't surprised. Luck. Bad bad luck.
Tinker emptied her glass with one swallow, placed it on the table, winked for the bartender for another, thanked Tom Jones for offering their drinks for the night before she turned to see Brian.
-Is this seat available? he asked again.
-I'm not sure, Tinker said honestly.
-Just that my friends and me were wondering if you're a model or something. You must be since you're so beautiful.
-I'm sorry but this seat is taken.
Tinker looked at Brian who seemed confused and ashamed.
-Okay, sit down, she sighed. -I guess I've lost my company for good.
Brian accepted offer with gratitude. He ordered drink and then showed his left hand to Tinker.
-I'm bit rusty on things like these, he confessed. -I'm married.
-I know, Tinker simply said. -I know who you are. Must be only reason why I let you sit next to me. Oh yeah, and the fact that your charming friend is trying to hit on my best friend which leaves me alone. And you're better than someone who thinks that sentences like you performed earlier sweep feet under ladies.
Brian glanced over the dance floor but couldn't face image of those two dancing. Instead he observed Tinker. Truth was that she was stunningly beautiful. And that there was something in her that kept Brian hanging in the bar even if he should have been calling to his wife that he was about to turn in. Though he wasn't sure she'd answer.
-You were very kind saving us tonight, Brian said after a pause.
-Maybe. But I wouldn't have done that if my friend hadn't put her nose on your business.
Brian offered his hand. -I feel impolite if we don't present us. Hi, I'm Brian Littrell.
Tinker said her name.
-What's your last name? Brian asked.
-Bell.
-Oh. So what can I call you?
-Tinker, I suppose.
-Is there story behind your name?
-Yeah, but it's way too long.
-It's nice to meet you, Brian said and blushed. That's when Tinker realized that he was still holding her hand. She pulled it away and ordered one more drink, reminding herself that it should be last.
She didn't want to think how that man made her feel. She had read about electricity so strong you could feel it even if someone was one foot away but she had never experienced it. And when she did, it was worth nothing, Brian was married, as he had said himself. Tinker knew that people's marital status didn't make a difference to Marilyn but that was only rule Tinker had ever stuck on. If they weren't wearing the ring, she could pretend she didn't know. But Brian came and told him. It was fact hanging between them.
But still she couldn't walk away. Not even if one look at the dance floor told her she wouldn't ever take the same cab with Marilyn. She couldn't move. She got drink in front of her and tried to figure out something to say. Nothing came up.
-So you won some contest to get tickets to concert? Brian asked.
-Yeah, Tinker lighted up. -It was like…
But then she fell silent. She couldn't tell the whole story to Brian. She didn't want to tell where they live, how they lived. She didn't want to tell how they used all their money on cab that maybe didn't drive them longer than few blocks.
-It was a lottery, she said shortly. -Marilyn wanted to win trip to India.
-Instead you got tickets to Tom Jones' concert, Brian snorted. -Yeah, much better.
-Well, imagine me in India with her.
For a second they turned to see AJ and Marilyn but they were gone. Tinker shrugged and before she knew, full glass was placed in front of her. Bartender had probably misunderstood her but it didn't matter.
-I can't imagine that. But somehow I can see you wearing sari and feeding starving children.
-Brian, you have serious Mother Teresa syndrome.
Brian flinched remembering that Leighanne had used the same exact words last time they had argued about Baylee's well being. They had agreed that Leighanne would take care of their son as long as it was better for him. He wasn't even three years old and she wanted to start working again. Knowing how long days could be while shooting Brian had disagreed strongly. "You seem to forget that I'm also a person, not just his - or yours - mother!" she had yelled few days before Brian had got into a plane with AJ. That fight was part of the reason why Brian had left to Europe in first place. "We've been to all those places but never got to really seen them", AJ had stated. "Wouldn't you want to see those? We could start from Dublin, go to London, to Paris, to Milan. We could even visit Sweden if you want to. Hell, Brian, why not? You deserve a little holiday. And look at your marriage. Break would do good for you." Brian wasn't sure that they really needed time off from each other right then but still he found himself handing Baylee over to his mother and kissing his wife goodbye in the airport.
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