"So, were you able to help her?" Jenny asked.
She'd been happy when Orange had called her and asked to meet her for a drink at the Old Salt House, a popular club on the edge of the City's somewhat shady Spice District. Of course, the evening wasn't exactly starting out the way she'd expected.
"I honestly don't know," Orange sighed. "I mean, it's obvious she's in a bad... probably abusive... relationship. I gave her the number for a women's shelter I help out at, and the name of the counselor there. I hope she calls them..."
"... but you can't make someone get help," Jenny said, understanding. "At least you tried."
"Yeah, I guess," Orange sighed again. "Anyway, I'm sorry. I asked you to meet me and I've done nothing but talk about another woman."
"It's fine," Jenny said, honestly surprised that it actually was fine. "Usually sharing bad days is more a fourth date thing, for me... but I don't mind. Say, you said this Corrie wanted to be an actress..."
"Yeah, she kept saying how this guy she was with promised to make her a star," Orange scoffed.
"Well, if you run into her again, go ahead and give her my number," Jenny said. "I can introduce her to some people who won't take advantage of her."
"You'd do that?" Orange asked, obviously pleased and surprised.
"Absolutely," Jenny smiled. "When I was starting out, Cassie Goth did the same thing for me. Got me out of a bad situation. Maybe I can do it for this Corrie."
"Wow. Alright. Thanks," Orange smiled.
To her shock, Jenny felt something flutter inside her heart. She liked his smile, she realized.
"So, is this a thing with you?" Jenny asked.
"What do mean?" Orange said, puzzled.
"This whole White Knight riding to the rescue thing," Jenny said. "I'm going to have to contend with a lot of damsels-in-distress, if we start dating?"
"Well, I mean... wait, did you say dating?" Orange blinked, then smiled again.
Damn, she really liked his smile.
"Oh, you caught that," Jenny smiled back.
--------
Well, this is a surprise, Genie thought.
Jenny had called her that afternoon and asked her to come by the Old Salt that evening. She knew Jenny had a maybe-date with a new guy and was looking for support and a possible graceful way out. Jenny hadn't mentioned her maybe-date was with Orange Bailey-Moon.
"Hey Jenny," Genie called over the club's music. "Hi, Orange."
"Genie!" Orange smiled, leaping up to greet her. "I heard you were in the City. How are you?"
"I'm good," Genie said, accepting the big guy's friendly hug. "It's good to see you."
"So, I guess you guys know each other," Jenny said.
"Yeah," Orange laughed. "It's a small world."
"Well, join us," Jenny said, giving Genie a quick look that said she wasn't looking for a rescue, but still wanted the support.
"So, how did you guys meet?" Jenny asked, clearly curious.
"College," Genie replied, taking the seat Orange offered her. "We were dorm mates, and I was friends with Miranda..."
"Who I knew through the whole 'kids of famous parents' thing," Orange said, claiming a spot on the nearby couch. "And my mom and dad knew Miranda's mom, Cassie..."
"... and my mom and dad knew both of Miranda's moms from back when they were all in college," Genie said. "God, it really is a small world."
"I guess the real question is why didn't you two meet sooner?" Genie laughed.
"I don't know," Orange mused, "but I'm glad we did now."
"Yeah," Jenny said with a little smile.
Genie could practically see the actress's heart flutter at Orange's smile. Oh boy, Genie chuckled to herself, she's hooked.
"Hey, why don't I grab us some drinks?" Orange said, standing. "What can I get you ladies?"
Genie had the distinct sense that he knew they wanted to talk without him and was gracefully giving them the chance to. She was impressed by how much he'd matured since they first met in college.
"Cherry cola, please," Jenny said.
"Pint of the House Stout, if you're offering," Genie added. "Thanks, O."
"No problem, cherry cola and a House Stout, coming up" Orange said.
"OK, tell me everything you know about him," Jenny said as soon as he was out of earshot.
"Oh boy," Genie sighed.
"Wait, did you two...?" Jenny smiled.
"We hooked up once, first year," Genie admitted. "It was... well... it really didn't go well."
"Oh," Jenny looked disappointed.
"But that was before the whole 'yes means yes' thing," Genie said quickly. "Kinda right before..."
"Wait a minute," Jenny said, eyes wide. "Are you... Her? You are! The one where he thought everything was going well, but you didn't..."
"Yes. OK," Genie groaned. "Our one and only hook-up went so badly he literally wrote a best-selling book about how to not have dates go that badly."
"Wow," Jenny breathed. "I don't know if I'm impressed or what..."
"We had a bad hook-up. I freaked out. Mariah threatened to kick his ass and Miranda talked me through things," Genie explained. "We confronted Orange, and he was horrified when he found out how I felt. He's really a good guy, Jenny. We're good, Orange and me. We reconnected in our third year and we're friends now. He's sincerely a good guy."
"Wow, OK... thanks," Jenny sighed. "I'm glad because... I really like him."
"I can tell," Genie said.
"So... what's he like, you know..." Jenny said.
"Jenny, he wrote a best seller about how bad our hook-up went," Genie said. "I'm not in a good place to judge."
"Oh right," Jenny said.
