Compromise

Nora

I decided to take Alex’s advice and give a little more of myself. I won’t tell Ace anything but my first name. Nora is a common name, right? He won’t be able to figure out who am with just my first name, or at least that's what I'm telling myself.

Tonight, I'm going with a different mask, plain black silk with black lace overlapping paired with a gold dress and black heels. To me it's sexy and I hope it comes across as sexy to Ace.

“Did you think you could hide from me?” Ace said in a flirty tone

“No, I figured if you liked me as much as you say, you would recognize me, and I was right.”

“Do you like being right?”

“Every woman likes being right, even when they're wrong.”

“I can’t argue with that. What should we get into tonight?”

“Well, I know most people come here for sex, but how about we talk and if we end up in bed then we end up in bed. You said you wanted to get to know me.”

A smile lit up Ace’s face. “I’m glad you changed your mind; I was ready to step up my game.”

“Who said you didn’t have to step up your game?”

“Fair enough, so what do I have to do to get the information I want?”

“Tell me why I should trust you with my information.”

“Hmm, it’s a tricky question because I want to tell you that I’m trustworthy, friendly, and really into you, but you don’t know me enough to believe me. So, I’ll tell you this, since you already know my name, you have the upper hand, and you can release that information anytime you want if you weren’t the kind person you are.”

Damn, he is good. I didn't think he would bring that up.

“You make a good point, so I’m willing to level with you. My name is Nora; it’s not as exotic as Jade.”

“It’s a beautiful name.”

“Thank you.”

“Why did you pick Jade?”

“I wanted something that felt sexy and powerful, and it gave me confidence because it felt like a confident name.”

“You don’t need to be self-conscious; you’re beautiful. The person I see, is you, the body you have is yours regardless of what you go by, and I like you, Nora, not Jade.”

I reached over the table, pulled him toward me, and slammed my lips against his. He said one of the nicest things a guy has ever said to me, and I wanted him to know I appreciated it. I’m not sure if it’s Ace or the ability to hide behind a mask, but I feel like I can be bold, I want to take charge, I want to express how I feel and what I enjoy, and right now, I enjoy being with Ace.

“I have some issues that I need to work on, and I’ve dated some pretty shitty guys in the past and I need a way to get over my fear of being rejected and Jade gives me that.”

“Well, those guys never deserved you. You deserve to be worshiped, cared for and loved, and I want to see if I can give you that.”

I leaned over and kissed him again. So far, he is saying all the right things and I hope I’m not being played.

***

Ace

Finding out her real name was a relief; it means she’s thinking about giving us a try. She wouldn’t give me her name if she wanted to move on.

“I’m not saying it has to be now, but do you think I’ll ever be able to see your pretty face without a mask?”

“I’m not there yet, Ace. I still want to keep most of my identity hidden.”

“Why are you so afraid to let me see who you are?”

“As I said, you won’t like the real me, and I want to have fun while we can.”

I wanted to tell her this mysterious act isn’t what I wanted, that for me to stay here, I need to know who she is, but that would be unfair to her.

“What if I ask you out on a date?”

“No and I don’t like this conversation anymore. I gave you my name; let that satisfy you for a bit.”

Nora got up and walked away from the table. I tried following her, but she can walk surprisingly fast in heels.

“Jade, wait!” I yelled. I’m glad I have enough sense not to yell her real name.

I finally caught up to her outside.

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes, I’m not having fun anymore, and I’m starting to feel pressured by you to do something I don’t want to.”

“I’m sorry. Please stay. I won’t ask any more questions.”

“No, it’s ruined. I’m not in the mood to be here.”

“Will I see you next week?”

“I don’t know, Ace. Give me some space, will you?” I snapped.

I waited outside in the silence while Nora hailed a cab, and I waited until she got in it. I know I fucked this up, and I have a feeling that I won’t see her next week, and I have no way of finding her to make this up to her.

***

Nora

Ace was unbelievable. I gave him what he wanted, but he kept pushing me, and all it did was make me uncomfortable and annoyed. I like Ace; he seems nice. He is also likable and is extremely easy on the eyes, but I need to learn to stick up for myself. We were moving too fast and maybe this is what we need, a cool-down period. Maybe once we had some time away, he won’t feel so strongly about me, and we can continue on as normal.

Instead of getting involved with another guy, maybe I need to enjoy being single, do things that I have wanted to do but couldn’t because I was so wrapped up in a guy. I take out my phone a text Alex.

Nora: Tonight was a disaster. I’m swearing off men until I can enjoy my own company.

Alex: You are strong and beautiful; you don’t need a guy to enjoy your time.

Nora: Exactly. Are you up for an extended weekend vacation?

Alex: Of course, I’ve only been asking you every week for the past few months.

Nora: Ok, fine, that is true. I’m saying yes to the weekend getaway.

Alex: Sweet, I’ll be over later tonight, and we can go over the details. Love you.

Nora: Love you too and bring wine.

It's settled, I’m embracing the single like for a while.