Eli sat at the bar. There was no reason for him to be there. The week had actually been pretty good but for some reason he wasn't ready to go home. His roommate had his girlfriend over and her little sister as well. Too many people in a small downtown apartment. He sipped his whiskey and tried thinking of somewhere, anywhere else he could go. It was cold and rainy so he didn't want to wander for long.
Bzzz. A text from his roommate; the girls were hungry and they were going to order food. Did he want anything? He responded, the usual, a steak and cheese with fries. Yes, he was a personal trainer, but he could enjoy the carbs just like any other person.
Eli finished his drink and threw the bartender some cash. He now felt obligated to go home. He pulled the hood of his coat up and stepped out into the weather. It was a short walk to the apartment, but for some reason tonight it felt even shorter.
"Hey, Eli, where you been?" Nick, his roommate asked.
"I stopped for a drink," Eli explained.
"Awe, you should have told us. We could have joined you," Jenna offered. She was nice enough, but sometimes she was too much. Nick was a normal guy but when Jenna was around he could be a real jerk.
"Leave him alone." An unfamiliar voice, probably Jenna's sister, spoke up. "He probably wanted some quiet time away from the two of you."
Maybe she was ok. Eli took his coat off and threw it into his room. When he came back he looked at Jenna's 'little' sister. She was tall, almost six foot, with long legs. Her hair was dark brown and hung loose around her face.
"My name is Emma, seeing how these two probably won't introduce me."
"Eli, but you knew that." Emma smiled and nodded.
Everyone chatted for a few minutes until the food showed up. Nick had a burger, Jenna a salad and Emma won even more points with him. She had a steak and cheese with onion rings. Nick and Jenna took their food into Nicks room and closed the door. Emma sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Sorry you get stuck entertaining me." She sat across the table from him and unwrapped her sandwich.
"It's okay. When they said 'little' sister I was thinking you would be an angsty teenager." Eli confessed.
"Nope, not a teenager." She bit into an onion ring.
"You want a beer or something to drink?" he offered.
"No beer, but if you have iced tea that would be great."
Eli grabbed two bottles of tea and sat down to enjoy his sandwich. He and Emma talked for a long time. They found out they had a few things in common. They both liked dogs and steak, hated the cold but couldn't figure out where else to live.
Emma was a teacher but enjoyed hiking and dancing. She didn't care for most of the new music. Eli was a personal trainer and agreed with her about the music. He began to enjoy talking with her.
"This may sound a bit odd, but you want to head back to the bar? I don't feel like listening to them anymore." Nick and Jenna were either fighting or fucking. Either way the sounds were getting annoying.
"Yes please. I was hoping you would ask," Emma smiled and covered her ears. Eli couldn't help but laugh. They gathered their coats and left the apartment.
As they walked they chatted more. The more they talked the more he liked her. When they got to the bar they found a table in the back corner.
"I'll get the first drink. What do you want?"
"Tequila sunrise." Eli nodded and left her at the table. He returned a few minutes later with their drinks.
"So why are you visiting your sister? I guess she's nice enough but there are more exciting places to be than here." Eli gestured to the bar and the city outside.
"I am looking for a place to live here in the city. Meet new people and all. Maybe you could show me around."
"I would like that." Eli's heart fluttered.
They drank and chatted more and more. He was looking into her green eyes and felt something in his groin twitch. Was he really getting turned on?
"Hey, Eli," she nudged him with her foot. "What's up?"
"Sorry. You have beautiful eyes," he blurted out. He regretted it the moment the words left his mouth.
Emma blushed. "Uh, thank you. I guess that would explain why you were staring."
"I think I have reached my limit. That was supposed to be an internal though." Eli was embarrassed. "I am going to hit the bathroom, then I think we should head back, before I make a total ass of myself."
"What if I said too late." Emma giggled as he walked away.
Eli rolled his eyes and walked to the bathroom. After he relieved himself and washed he splashed some cold water on his face. He had such a chub it was getting uncomfortable. Emma was very pretty and smart too. The way she talked about her students he could tell she cared about others.
When he got back she looked up at him with a hurt and annoyed expression.
