Free Come Fly With Me by Sandi Perry

I’m very hungry, and I’m liable to say something you don’t want to hear—just yet.” He came around and opened her door. He reached in and guided her up and out of the low seat. He pressed her up against the car and whispered in her ear. “We’ll do it your way, first. But when we’re done with business, I’ll show you a thing or two about pleasure.” He kissed the tip of her nose. He took her by the hand and walked into the restaurant with her as if they were longtime girlfriend and boyfriend, rather than the strangers that they really were. Alex waved his hand at MaryAnne and led Allison to a table in the back.
    Allison mutely observed Alex’s easy banter as he stopped here and there to chat it up with old friends. He seemed more like a returning football hero rather than the product of a misspent youth that he had led her to believe. As they sat down, Alex handed her a menu that she promptly put down, unread.
    “You seem popular,” she said, eyes narrowed.
    “Ain’t nuthin’ wrong with that,” he beamed.
    “You can cut it out, Alex. You’re some Ivy-league grown millionaire from a prominent family—the 'misguided youth act' is disingenuous.” She folded her arms across her chest.
    “Breaking out the ten-dollar words—I believe I am being scolded. I don’t remember it being this much fun, though.”
    “Alexander.”
    “No, no, sorry, Allison, only my Mother gets to pull the ‘Alexander’ card.”
    “Okay, so which is it? Hero or hooligan?’
    “It’s a bit of both. I believe that is my winning combo.”
    Allison picked up her menu with a harrumph. “You’re very difficult to get a straight answer out of you know. It can be irritating.”
    “Or mysterious and fascinating—it’s all how you frame it,” Alex said easily.
    Penelope, Mary Anne’s daughter, came to take their order. “Alex, so glad you could blow into town. We all figured you’d be back for your Momma’s party. Whatcha having?”
    Penelope was very plain looking; her only remarkable feature was her wavy, almost natural-looking auburn hair. Her boobs acted as heat-seeking missiles on a mission as they leaned in toward Alex, looking for a comfortable place to set down. Allison's eyes widened in amusement at the pathetic, high school-like gesture and quickly raised her menu higher to avoid Alex’s knowing look.
    He winked at her as he caught her expression. “Ally, honey, would you like to give your order to Penelope?”
    Penelope turned her head and looked at Allison, blinking in surprise as if she'd just registered her presence. “Oh, brother,” Allison mumbled under her breath. “I’ll have the western omelet, whole wheat toast, and a large coffee.”
    “Excellent choice, I’ll have the same. Except make my toast white instead of the whole-wheat.” Alex smiled at Penelope.
    She leaned in to take his menu and breathed at him, “Maybe, I’ll see you after the party—Damon’s band is playing at The Beatnik.” She walked off toward the kitchen, sashaying for all it was worth.
    “Yuck, could she be any more obvious? Tell me you used to date her,” Ally scoffed.
    “Everyone used to date her,” Alex laughed.
    “Who’s Damon?” she wanted to know.
    “Penelope’s brother. He has a decent group, but he drank his way out of a recording contract. I hear he’s trying to get back on his feet again.”
    She nodded and looked around. “This place is pretty full. I guess the economy is okay in Buckhead.”
    “ MaryAnne’s is recession-proof. The food's delicious and plentiful, and it’s everyone’s first stop when they come back to town,” he said.
    “I guess it’s quicker than sending out smoke signals.”
    “Small-town living has its charms—as long as you’re not the one living there.”
    She nodded once again and smiled as Penelope returned, balancing their order. She hardly spared a glance at Allison.
    “She doesn’t seem to like me, not that I care.”
    “The women in this town don’t like to