Robin Alexander - Murky Waters

She was still looking in the mirror, putting the last touches on her lipstick, when she heard a knock at the door. Even though she saw Tristan everyday, her heart leapt when she heard the gentle tapping. Claire peeked through the blind first, then opened the door for her date.

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Standing before Claire was the prettiest woman she ever had the pleasure of going out with. Tristan stood there smiling, dressed in a pair of neatly pressed khaki shorts with a short-sleeved denim shirt tucked into them. Instead of her usual ponytail, her long dark hair hung down her back, blowing slightly in the gentle evening breeze. Claire felt herself trapped in the gaze of Tristan’s beautiful brown eyes.

“Hey, look, we complement each other with the denim.” Tristan laughed. “I even got a pedicure since it seemed so important.” She thrust out a foot covered in a brown leather sandal. Claire laughed nervously and invited her in.

“I love this apartment, Claire, especially the loft up there. I could fill that whole ledge with plants. Ralph would have a blast on that spiral staircase, too.”

Claire noticed that Tristan was uncharacteristically chatty. She wondered if Tristan was as nervous as she was. She gave Tristan a quick tour of her abode and offered her a glass of wine.

“I better wait on the wine, Claire. I’m on an empty stomach, and I’m afraid it will go straight to my head. I don’t like to drive like that. If you would like to have a glass before we go, that would be fine with me.”

Claire chuckled. “I think I will wait until we get to the restaurant, too. Besides, I can hear your stomach growling from here.”

“Fine, Claire. Mock my hunger pains. I have not been able to eat a thing all day because of tonight. I may faint right here in your living room.”

Claire laughed at her antics. “Come on, drama queen, let’s get going. I don’t want you passing out and drooling on the new carpet.”

In the parking lot, Claire looked around for the red truck she had ridden in before. Instead, she followed Tristan over to a dark blue Mitsubishi 3000gt. “Is this your car, Tris?”

“Yep. The Ford is my company truck. I don’t get to drive old blue around that often. She’s got a few years on her, but she’s still in great shape.” Tristan opened the passenger side door and let Claire in.

While fastening her seat belt, Claire looked around nervously at the parking lot and grounds surrounding her apartment. She felt a twinge of panic welling up inside her as she wondered if she and 49

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Tristan were being observed. Determined to enjoy the night that she spent most of the week looking forward to, she steeled her nerves and pushed her fears aside.

“So, Miss Delacroix, where are we going tonight?” Claire asked as Tristan started the car, hoping that her date did not hear the tremor in her voice.

“Do you like Mexican food?”

“Love it!”

“I figured I would take you to one of my favorite spots. They have wonderful food and even better margaritas. Then, I figured we could go see a movie if you’re up to it.”

Claire reached over and put her hand on Tristan’s and squeezed lightly. Tristan seemed a little surprised at the contact but didn’t pull her hand away. For someone who had such a commanding presence as Tristan did, it surprised Claire that she would be a little on the timid side.

There was a nice breeze blowing when they got to the restaurant, so they opted to sit out on the patio. One margarita and a few chips later, they were both relaxed and talking freely. When dinner arrived, they both just picked at their plates, already having had their fill of chips. Another round of drinks was ordered, and both were well on their way to getting downright goofy.

Tristan looked at Claire with glassy eyes. “Umm, Claire? Were you really looking forward to seeing a movie tonight?”

”No, not really, is something wrong?”

Tristan giggled. “Well, if we are going to one, we will have to leave now, and I’m afraid that I’m a little too tipsy to drive.”

Claire laughed at her glassy-eyed companion. “I’m really enjoying myself right here. We can switch to iced tea and give our brain cells a chance to catch up. Besides, it will give me a chance to get into the mind of Tristan Delacroix.”

“Well, if you were to get into my mind right now, you would find a lot of tequila and some lime juice. There are two sober brain cells in there searching for high ground. So, what is it you want to know, Claire Murray?” Tristan batted back playfully.

“Hmm, let me think.” Claire paused for a moment. “Okay, got one. What is your biggest turnoff?”

Tristan giggled again. “Why do you ask? Are you about to belch or something?”

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The response had Claire chuckling loudly. “No, you sick woman.

Now, answer the question.”

Tristan sat staring into Claire’s eyes with a silly grin on her face.

For a split second, Claire wondered if she was just thinking or was about to pass out. “Well?”

“Arrogance is a turnoff. People think I’m arrogant, but really, I’m very shy. It’s hard for me to strike up a conversation.”

“I have a hard time seeing you as shy, Tristan.”

“Well, I am, and I’ll let you in on another little secret. I’m afraid of the dark, too.” Claire burst into uncontrollable laughter, drawing the attention of the other diners.

“Stop it!” Tristan said, laughing just as hard as Claire. “All right, it’s my turn now. What turns you on?”

Claire blushed and looked across the table at Tristan, who sat patiently waiting for her answer. “Just about everything you do.”

Tristan’s mouth moved, but no sound came out. It took her a minute to compose herself. “I can’t think of any clever comebacks.”

“Wow! I have rendered Tristan Delacroix speechless. Mark this day in history!”

Tristan laughed. “Mind if I ask you an extremely personal question?” Claire shook her head as she sipped her drink. “This is an odd question, but I’m curious. Why did your last long-term relationship end?”

Claire smirked. “Tristan Delacroix, that was a smart question.

You’re trying to pick my brain while it is pickled with tequila. The answer is simple; she cheated on me and broke my heart.”

“She was a very foolish woman,” Tristan slurred. “So tell me about this moron.”

“I once read in a magazine that if someone tells you that she is not good to be involved with, heed her warning and run in the other direction. She told me in the beginning that I probably didn’t want to get involved with her, but I was only twenty-three at the time and very naïve. Anyway, I plunged in full speed ahead.

“Those three years were some of the most hurtful times of my life, but I did learn a lot. She was never happy with herself or anything I did. Whenever I got a promotion or achieved something, she would become jealous and berate me for it, instead of being happy for me. She seemed to be competing with me on 51

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everything. It was like having a competitive roommate instead of a lover.”

“She cheated on you? After hearing all that, I wouldn’t think less of you if you were the one who stepped out on her.”

“Like I said, I was very naïve. I didn’t understand her behavior. I spent nearly three years blaming myself for all our problems. Then one day, she admitted that she was having an affair and thought I was supposed to be understanding about it. She actually had the audacity to think I should hang around in case things didn’t work out with the new girl. Needless to say, I dropped her ass like a hot rock and never looked back.