I frequent a local coffee shop before work most mornings. A mom and Pop place, not one of the large chains that are showing up at every airport, bookstore and mall, but an artsy comfortable place that serves real coffee from South America and a fire to keep you warm. It’s my routine I suppose. I sit at the same booth, read a chapter in whatever book I’m looking for at the time to read and watch the folks from between paragraphs. There are other regulars like me but mostly there are the carry outs. I heard the accent from the UK first and slowly looked up. “A Grande cup of your Blue Mountain Costa Rican to go please.” She stood around 5’6, was curvy and dressed in a red business suit. She made small talk with the clerk and laughed genuinely as she paid. Not wanting to be rude and stare, I watched cautiously as she walked to the counter to prepare her drink. This woman was striking and had not only my attention but others, male and female were aware as well. As she turned toward the door, our eyes met and together, we smiled. The encounter was a moment that went past friendly and ventured to flirtatious. I watched her during the entire exit to her car. I saw her glance back at me as she backed from the parking spot and left the lot.
The next morning, as I sipped the hot flavor and read my novel, she came in again. This time confidently dressed in black and stunning as ever. I caught her eyes as she scanned the room and smiled knowingly with a slow nod. I returned to my book and continued the reading. Reading intently, I was startled when I heard “Do you always watch people and pretend you are reading or only when they are from out of town?” Then she laughed, held out her hand, introduced herself, and asks if she could join me for a minute. “Of course” I replied and stood as she took her seat. “Such a southern gentleman.” she said, “Who taught you those manners?” “Grew up in the south with good parents.” I said with a shrug. I imagined that this lovely lady rarely met a stranger as she quickly explained that she was here in Kentucky because her employer, a local factory whose headquarters was back in her homeland, had flew her over to work for a few weeks. She was the manager of advertising and development working to help promote their product and share ideas with the local management. She had begun as a graphic artist with the company and promoted up through the ranks. I imagined her as a diligent worker who rarely went home. Worked long hours, was passionate and creative.
As we talked and talked I found myself infatuated with her. An hour had passed and I felt as if I had known her for years. She was incredibly sexy and she told me I was “charming”. I laughed embarrassingly as she gazed with a smile. Out of nowhere she said with a whisper,”What is the craziest thing you have ever done with a woman?” I smiled and answered “I don’t know if I’ve done that yet!” As she touched my hand she said, “Please tell me what makes you crazy.” I replied, “Right now, it’s sitting across from you!” I felt myself becoming hard as she gazed long at me leaving her hand on mine. She suddenly looked at her watch and realized she was late for a meeting. She jotted down her hotel room number and said “call me!”
to be continued...