Strip Me Bare

by Marissa Carmel

  “What’s wrong with you?” I ask, sucking in a drag. “Not used to wearing so many clothes?”

  He glares at me and I laugh.

  “That’s not funny.”

  “That’s totally funny,” I argue.

  He rolls his eyes, “Okay maybe it’s a little funny.”

  “Seriously, what’s wrong?”

  “This whole thing just seems kind of shady. Meeting everyone in your family except your father.”

  I shrug, “It is shady. But that’s the way it has to be. Everyone knows my father and what kind of man he is.”

  “I don’t understand how he can be so cruel,” Ryan blows some air into his hands to warm them up.

  “Cruel? I don’t know if it’s cruelty that drives him. It’s social status. His image. He’s an elitist.”

  “What about your image? What if I go in there and make you look bad?”

  “How? Are you going to start table dancing?”

  “Alana-” Ryan gives me a quit fooling around look.

  “They’ll accept you.” I rush the words, “You’re the first guy I’ve ever brought home. They know how important you are. If there’s one thing I can say about my uncle John, he’s spent his entire life trying to make up for all my father’s shortcomings.”

  I kill my cigarette in the ashtray by the door, taking Ryan by the hand I lead him inside. I nod to the smiling hostess and we make our way to the back of the restaurant. The Palm is an upscale steakhouse known for its impeccable food, celebrity sightings and unique décor. It’s also one of my uncle’s favorite places to eat. They know him by name.

  The dining room is covered in dark red cherry wood; the floor, the side panels and even the booths. The most intriguing aspect and trademark of the restaurant are the cartoons and caricatures on the walls. Almost every inch is covered with a recognizable face or a regular diner. It’s a quirky, chic atmosphere, but it’s also warm and inviting and the wait staff always go out of their way to treat their guests like family.

  I spot Emily at a round table in the corner gabbing to Alex, her husband. That sounds so weird to say. Next to her are my uncle John and my aunt Caroline, and two empty seats for Ryan and I. As we approach the table, Emily jumps up and nearly tackles me to the ground. She’s wearing a tight pair of jeans with white stitching, a white tunic top with sequins and knee-high black boots. The outfit is hot. I introduce everyone to Ryan, the men shake hands and Emily and my aunt give him a hug and a kiss hello. We all sit down and there is a moment of awkward silence.

  The waitress comes over and takes our drink orders, I’m going with red wine tonight, Ryan gets his usual, a Tangueray and tonic. My uncle doesn’t waste any time as the waitress struts off.

  “So Ryan, what is it that you do, son?”

  Emily nearly spits out her drink.

  I glare at her. We knew this conversation was coming, so Ryan and I prepared.

  “Um, I’m working some odds and ends jobs right now to save money to start a company.”

  My uncle nods, his brown eyes sparkling. “What kind of company?”

  “Graphic design.”

  “That doesn’t sound like there’s much overhead.”

  “Um, no there isn’t,” Ryan fidgets with the napkin on his lap. He’s cute when he’s nervous. “But I want to put my full attention into it, so I’m trying to save enough now so I don’t have to work any side jobs later.”

  The corners of my uncle’s mouth curve up, “That’s a very sound plan.”

  “Ah, thank you sir.”

  The waitress returns with our drinks and Ryan immediately takes a huge swig. I can’t believe how nervous he is.

  “So are you from the city?” my aunt Caroline asks.

  “Um, no. I’m from New Jersey, I moved to the city a little over a year ago, for a change of pace.”

  “What part of New Jersey?” Of course she’s curious; it’s where we’re all from.

  “Neptune,” Ryan answers uncomfortably.

  “Oh,” my aunt smiles, “that’s where I grew up.”

  Ryan is momentarily surprised.

  “We moved to Marlboro when I was sixteen though.”

  Marlboro is one of the towns next to Colts Neck, which is where I grew up. Marlboro isn’t as elite, it has more commercial space and the homes aren’t as large, but it is just as beautiful as Colts Neck, with its sprawling farmlands and pristine grounds. Neptune is south east, more towards the ocean. It’s urbanized, with decent sections and not so decent sections.

  Ryan grew up in one of the not so decent sections.

  “Do you have a big family?” my aunt goes on, and my stomach clenches.

  “Um, no,” Ryan answers. “It’s just me and my mom, and my twin brother, Sean.”

  “Twin?” she says intrigued, her blue eyes twinkling. “You mean there’s two of you walking around?”

  “Yes,” I interject, catching her hint. Ryan is heart-stoppingly hot, there’s no ignoring it. “Their personalities are completely different though.”

  Ryan glances at me uncomfortably, maybe I shouldn’t have brought that up.

  “How so?” My aunt’s interest is piqued. Oops.

  “I guess you could say I’m the lover and Sean’s the fighter,” he flashes a shy smile and I swear my aunt Caroline swoons.

  “When we were younger he got in plenty of fights over me,” Ryan smirks awkwardly.

  “You never told me that,” I lean into him.

  He shrugs, “Sometimes, I think Sean was just looking to pick a fight. I was a good reason to start one.”

  “It has more nobility when you do for someone you love?”

  “Something like that, I guess,” Ryan says unconvinced.

  The waitress comes back over and takes our dinner orders; everyone goes for a steak except Emily, who orders lobster tails.

  The conversation rolls along smoothly as everyone gets to know each other, and by the time Ryan is done with his first drink, his anxiety level has dropped and he’s charming the pants off everyone at the table. Emily glances at Alex who is playing on his phone, then leans over to me. “Hey,” she whispers. “How is everything going with Ryan’s ‘side job’?” she says, adding air quotes.

  “Fine,” I say truthfully. “He leaves work at work if you get what I mean.”

  Alex gives us a strange look. I guess he doesn’t know what Ryan’s ‘side job’ is.

  Emily smiles, “That’s good to know. You two look happy.”

  “We are,” I smile back at her. I haven’t seen or talked to Emily much over the last few months. With me in law school and her married now, the dynamic is different. But I’m hoping over winter break we can spend some time together.

  “Can you come spend a night in the city while I’m off from school?” I ask her. “We can have a girl’s night.”

  Emily’s grin widens.

  “Yes, please take her,” Alex chimes in. “She’s been going stir crazy in the house.”

  Alex and Emily met at a work gathering three years ago. She was interning for a magazine, which was doing a spread on the fifty most eligible bachelors in New York City. Alex was number thirty five. He’s classy and handsome with short brown hair that’s curly on top and really, really defined cheek bones. Did I mention he’s filthy stinkin’ rich? Which is why Emily is probably bored to death. She doesn’t have to work and she has no idea what to do with herself.

  “I have no one to hang out with anymore,” she whines.

  “What about Alex?” I ask.

  “I live with him, I have to hang out with him too?” she jokes, just as I overhear some of Ryan’s and my uncle’s conversation.

  “So, graphic design?” my uncle asks. “Do you do logos?”

  Ryan nods his head yes. “Logos, book covers, web design,” he rattles off the list.

  My uncle gets this look on his face, the one where you can see the steam engine churning. It’s the same one he gets when he’s preparing for a case. “Would you be interested in designing
a logo for my law firm? We’re in the market for a new one and we just haven’t found anything we like. Maybe we need some young blood to mix things up a bit.”

  Ryan’s mouth drops open. My uncle’s law firm is one of the biggest in New York City. Doing a logo for him would put Ryan on the map.

  “Ah,” Ryan stutters, “of course, I can put together a few specs for you to look at, I’ll just need to know what kind of feel you’re going for.”

  “Great, I’ll set it up,” my uncle says just as our food arrives. Ryan looks over at me with astounded eyes. I just smile.

  “What about you?” My uncle turns his attention to me.

  “Me?” I squeak. “You want me to design a logo, too?”

  My uncle John laughs. “Are you interning anywhere over winter break?”

  “Um, no. I sent out a few feelers, but I haven’t gotten anything yet.”

  He cuts into his steak, the knife slicing through it like it’s butter. “Would you be interested in interning at my law firm?”

  It’s my turn for a jaw to drop.

  “Of course,” I hastily answer.

  “Good,” he chews and then swallows. “Come in at eight on Monday morning and we’ll get you squared away.”

  My uncle has put on a red suit and is commanding eight tiny reindeer tonight.

  As we finish dinner and look over dessert menus, Ryan and I decide to split a brownie sundae and get a cappuccino each. I’m chit-chatting with Emily when I hear a whiney voice that sends chills down my spine: “Oh my God, you’re him! That guy, Jack the Stripper!” I whip my head around to find a big-busted brunette in Ryan’s face. “I saw you perform a couple weeks ago. I tried to get a private dance, but you are like, booked for months.”

  Everyone at the table goes silent and just stares at Ryan, the color of his face changing from white to green then finally red.

  He braces his hands against the table’s edge and glares out of the corner of his eye. “Do you mind? I’m with people,” he says in a calm and even tone, but I know he’s anything but.

  Ms. Busty Brunette scoffs offended, but before she can say anything else Emily stands up - all one hundred pounds of her soaking wet – outraged: “Beat it skank, we’re trying to have dinner.” Now all eyes have shifted to her.

  “Skank?” the brunette sneers. “I’m not the one who takes my clothes off for a living.”

  “I’m sure if someone paid you enough, you would,” Emily snaps, channeling Jill.

  “Whatever.” The girl hisses and then stalks off.

  Ryan is stapled in place, staring at me with repentant eyes. I know he’s not embarrassed for himself. He’s embarrassed for me. Ryan doesn’t apologize for his occupation, he owns it. But in this situation he didn’t want to do anything to make me look bad. And having my family find out he’s a stripper might reflect badly on me.

  But I’m not embarrassed or ashamed. And I’m sort of pissed Emily beat me to the punch, because I would have loved to tell that girl where to stick it.

  “Um, can you all please excuse me?” Ryan gets up from the table and flees like his ass is on fire. I immediately grab my purse and go after him. He’s halfway down the block by the time I get outside.

  “Ryan!” I yell but he keeps walking. I rip my high heels off and start running. “Ryan, wait!” My bare feet go numb against the cold pavement, but I don’t care, I’m determined to catch up to him.

  He turns around when I grab his arm. “Ryan, don’t run away.”

  “I’m not running, I’m sprinting. Why are you holding your shoes?”

  “I can’t run that fast in heels,” I say, as I slip my black Pradas back on. My feet are absolutely frozen.

  “Please come back inside,” I beg.

  “Alana, I don’t know...”

  “They’re not going to judge you.”

  “It’s not me I’m worried about.” He runs his fingers though his hair and pulls. “I know who I am, what I am,” he says, and his voice sounds sad.

  “Don’t worry about me, my aunt and uncle aren’t like that.”

  “She’s right,” my uncle John’s voice rumbles through the air, both of us turning at the same time to look at him.

  “Alana, would you give me and Ryan a moment?”

  I glance between them, Ryan giving me a little head nod.

  I turn and walk back to the restaurant, but I light a cigarette before I go inside. I can see Ryan and my uncle talking in the distance, but they’re too far away for me to hear their conversation. God, what I wouldn’t give to be a button on Ryan’s shirt right now. There’s a lot of head gestures on his part and it sort of looks like my uncle is lecturing him. But I can’t be sure. When they start walking back I quickly kill my cigarette then hurry inside, getting stuck in the bottleneck of people trying to get through the second door. Swallowed up in the mass I hear my uncle’s voice: “I’ll tell you this one last thing son, if you hurt her I’ll kill you. I’m one of the top attorneys in New York City and my brother is a judge, I’ll get away with it.”

  Holy shit, he just threatened Ryan.

  “No sir,” I hear Ryan respond, “I would never hurt Alana. I can barely breathe when we aren’t in the same room…”

  My heart swells hearing him say that. Especially to my uncle.

  I slip through the crowd and scurry back to the table, wanting to sit down before my uncle and Ryan return.

  “Is everything okay?” my aunt asks concerned.

  “I think so,” I say, taking a big gulp of wine.

  “Is he coming back?” Emily asks.

  “Yes, your father talked to him.”

  “This has to be the most interesting dinner I’ve been to in a while,” Alex comments amused. Emily elbows him.

  “Don’t make him feel uncomfortable,” she hisses.

  “I won’t.” He rubs his arm. “I just want to know how often he gets laid, he must be teeming with women.”

  I look at Alex appalled. “I am sitting right here, you know,” I snap at him, and that’s the end of the conversation as a tense Ryan sits back down.

  My Uncle gives me a wink from across the table as he picks up the check. I can only return a small, uncomfortable grin.

  Ryan and I say our goodbyes in front of the restaurant, then walk a few blocks just to get some air. Silence stretching with each step we take.

  “So, that was eventful,” I say to break the ice.

  “Definitely one for the books,” Ryan huffs, his breath swirling around in front of his face.

  “Are you okay?” I ask.

  “Fine, are you?”

  “Yes. They loved you. I love you.” I stop walking and face him.

  “I love you, too.”

  “Then tell me what you’re thinking, because quiet Ryan is scaring the shit out of me.”

  Ryan’s lips twist up into a smile, “I was thinking about your uncle’s logo and all the ideas I have for it.”

  “That’s it? That’s why you’re quiet?”

  “Yeah, why did you think I was quiet? Afraid I wanted to break up so I can sleep with all my teeming women?”

  “You heard that?” I curl my lip.

  “Yup.”

  “Alex can be an idiot sometimes.”

  “It’s okay,” Ryan wraps his arm around me, “Is that the kind of guy your father wants you to marry?”

  “Alex? No. He has to be someone much stuffier, but equally as rich.”

  “Well, you’re not going to get rich or stuffy here.”

  I rest my head on his shoulder as we walk.

  “That’s completely fine with me.”

  I pull on my blazer and slip into my Kate Middleton shoes. At least that’s what I call them. Tan heels that are feminine, yet conservative. That’s the look I’m going for this morning. Feminine, yet conservative. I start my internship at my uncle’s law firm today and I want to dress the part perfectly. I smooth down my long blonde hair and check my makeup in the mirror one last time. I kept it light, a little mascara
and some blush, with some dark pink lip gloss.

  I walk out into the living room to find Ryan sitting on the couch with his legs crossed, his computer on his lap. I lean over the arm of the sofa and see the dozens of logos he’s created as specs for my uncle.

  “I like that one,” I say. It’s a circle with the names of all four the partners written in black with the first letter done in a larger, fancier script and colored deep red. “It looks really professional and not too conservative.”

  He looks up at me. His eyes are tired but his expression is happy. “You look nice,” he smiles.

  I run my hands over my outfit. I’m wearing a white button up shirt tucked into a charcoal pencil skirt. “You think?”

  “I know.”

  I take a deep, cleansing breath.

  “You seem nervous,” Ryan observes.

  “I am.”

  “It’s your uncle’s law firm, they’ll treat you right.”

  “That’s just it, I didn’t do anything to deserve this internship except share the same name with the founding partner. I’ll need to work extra hard to prove myself.”

  “And you will,” Ryan reaches up and grabs my hand.

  “I’m glad you have so much confidence in me.”

  “Why wouldn’t I? You have brains, beauty and street smarts. You’re a triple threat,” he smiles engagingly. “You’re going to make a kick ass lawyer.”

  “I hope so,” I say unsure. “When are you supposed to show your ideas to the firm?”

  “Wednesday,” he says tensely, blowing out a breath of hot air. It seems we both have job-related issues to be anxious about.

  I kiss Ryan goodbye, leaving him to his project, walk outside and hail a cab.

  I take the elevator to the twenty-third floor of the Chrysler building. I step out into an opulent reception area with dark wood floors and a long sleek desk. There’s a large, tan granite wall behind the desk with all four partners’ names written in big block letters: Remington, Anderson, Smith and Steele. It’s very commanding.

  I walk up, smoothing my shirt, and approach a young girl with strawberry blonde hair, freckles and big green eyes. She’s very pretty.