Victoria Manley

Her Next Victim and Other Stories

HER NEXT VICTIM

I knew it the moment I looked at her. Her long, lean body … the pout of her full lips … the curve of her ass as she smoothed her skirt to sit in the chair at the small cafe table. I approached her, pad and pen in hand to take her drink order, and when she looked up at me through those smoky eyes and dark lashes, I knew what was coming. It was imminent. There was no way around it. There was no avoiding it. I was about to become her next victim.

"May I take your drink order, ma'am?” I asked politely as I tried to keep my hands from shaking.

"White wine, please."

I could see her nipples pointing delicately through her silk blouse as if she was excited to be here.

"Will you be dining alone or is someone joining you?” I questioned, trying not to sound too personal.

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and lowered her voice.

"Someone is joining me. He should be here at any time. I'll wait to order the meal when he gets here."

"Very well, I'll get your wine."

I turned to go and I swore that I could feel her watching me walk away. I glanced over my shoulder and saw her looking out the window. Oh well, so much for my waiter's intuition.

I set the glass in front of her and she thanked me.

"Have you heard from your gentleman friend?” I asked and hoping with all my might that it wasn't a husband or boyfriend, “Will he be much longer?"