Read No Sex in the City for Free Online Page B

Marco.
    ‘You know something, Kristy,’ Danny says, turning to face her, ‘I reckon you probably will find your perfect American match. And you know why?’
    Veronica whispers in my ear, ‘Here we go. Danny’s feeling philosophical and oh so Oprah again.’
    ‘It’s because Kristy’s flexible,’ Danny says, winking at Kristy and then taking a swig of his beer. ‘She’s open to meeting anybody. She doesn’t set herself up for failure by putting up a wall of restrictions.’
    Enter Danny in one of his ‘let’s focus on Esma’ moods.
    I sit up tall in my chair and cross my arms. ‘Oh, come on, Danny. Just get it out before you burst.’
    ‘Everybody, I’ve been unfair on our Esma here,’ he says. ‘I’ve been on her back to open herself up to life, loosen the shackles of her stone-age faith. But that’s only because I feel she’s missing out. And as an equal opportunity employer, it pains me to see Esma missing out on all the opportunities for fun and excitement that people like us enjoy.’
    I roll my eyes. ‘Hang on, don’t say another word. I just want to remember this moment in my life, 7p.m., Friday 12 March. Danny is pitying me.’
    Danny wags his finger at me. ‘Well, Esma, someone as gorgeous and fun-loving as you shouldn’t be dragged down by archaic rules.’
    ‘Lay off her,’ Dora says, hitting Danny on the arm.
    Although it’s always been obvious that I’m uncomfortable with Danny giving me a hard time about my faith, I’ve never actually engaged with him on the subject. I’ve tried to shut it down as soon as he raises it. But I figure now is probably a good time to put an end to the subject once and for all.
    ‘Thanks, Dora,’ I say, ‘but I’d like to have this out.’
    ‘Ooh,’ Simon teases. ‘This should be good.’
    Danny looks amused and leans back in his chair, waiting for me to speak.
    ‘Danny,’ I start, ‘you think my lifestyle choices are backward and that you’re liberated and I’m repressed.’
    ‘Those are your words, not mine.’
    ‘Okay, let’s examine your theory. First, what am I missing out on?’
    ‘A relationship with no strings attached. Just for the fun of it. You don’t have to be a genius to know what kind of fun I mean. Having a drink at the end of a long day at work and loosening up and unwinding.’
    ‘Hear, hear,’ Simon says. ‘No offence, Esma,’ he says with a wink.
    Danny continues, on a roll now. ‘Flirting with a stranger – anybody, not just somebody who matches your religious and cultural stats – wondering if there’s something between you. And other stuff that’s R-rated for you given you’re a vir ... given your moral code.’
    I flinch but I’m not going to let him get away with it. ‘Okay, forget the drinking thing,’ I say. ‘Lots of people who aren’t Muslim don’t drink. But let’s look at the fact that I won’t have a relationship outside of marriage.’
    ‘Thank God for those relationships,’ Simon shouts with a laugh.
    ‘Okay,’ I continue, ‘so let’s put aside the fact that I want to marry a Muslim, that my faith is important to me and I want to be able to share it with my partner. Let’s say that’s negotiable and I meet somebody at a work function, or party, or maybe through a mutual friend.’
    ‘Mmm,’ Danny says.
    ‘Well, I have no idea if he’s in it for the long-term. I don’t know his intentions. The majority of people eventually want to get married.’
    ‘Not really,’ Danny says.
    ‘Oh, come on, Danny,’ I argue. ‘Don’t pretend marriage isn’t the norm and that those who want it are weird. Are you telling me being in a de facto relationship is the aspiration of
most
people? There are zillions of wedding magazines. I still haven’t seen any editions of
De Facto
.’
    ‘Nothing wrong with being in a de facto relationship, though,’ Kylie says.
    ‘You couldn’t have
The Farmer Wants a De Facto
,’ Dora contemplates aloud. ‘It wouldn’t work.’
    ‘I never said