It was John's regular seat at the bar. Not that it was an everyday kind of thing. He was only here when he was consulting and that was only about three or four days a month. One thing he hated about the consulting gig was sitting around alone. This bar was a good one. Not one of those meat market kinds of places. He almost always met a few interesting people. Plus Andy, the barkeeper had gotten to know him. Andy was always good for a story or two. John guessed it was what made a good barkeeper. He was at his usual seat. From his vantage point, he could see just about everyone in the bar. John was a consummate people watcher. Plus, there was a more than average chance of a couple of attractive women visiting. Even if he never met any of them, it was something he could enjoy watching.
John noticed her as soon as she walked in. He noticed something different. She did not have the same look as many of the business executives did when they came in. Particularly the women. It was that attitude that said, "Don't mess with me." She definitely did not have the look of a bar floozy, that woman who was just here for the convenient pickup. The look in her eyes, on her face, was different. She seemed to be asking herself the question, "what am I doing here and do I really want to be here?" She scanned the bar, not as if looking for someone, but getting the lay of the land.
John never would have made a good police detective though. He rarely noticed details. His friends would often ask him to describe his latest fantasy girl. John could only say, "Oh she was so tall and had brunette hair." Or maybe he would notice she was short. But remember the color of her eyes? Or what she was wearing. This was where John always seemed to fail. But tonight, he seems to take every detail in. He noticed her because she was attractive. He also noticed her because she seemed just a bit out of place. She was wearing dress pants, certainly not too tight, but fitted enough to compliment her figure. She had a sleeveless top on, with thin straps. Just enough to get your attention, without being downright flaunty! She carried what appeared to be a short jacket in her arms. She was definitely attractive. Blonde hair. Obviously fit.
As she scanned the bar, she noticed John noticing her. He smiled at her, and it must have put her a bit at ease. She smiled back and walked over to the bar. She asked the classic question.
"Anyone sitting here?" she asked.
John used one of his lamest replies. "Nope, I was saving it for you."
She chuckled and John chuckled and she sat down. John hollered at Andy, and then looked at her and asked, "Let me guess, a chardonnay?"
She chuckled again and said, "Nope, Merlot here. But nice guess."
"I am a beer guy tonight," John replied, "but if I drink wine it is usually a Pinot Grigio. By the way, I am John."
"I'm Sarah, glad to meet you," she replied and held out her hand. John took it softly and then they settled in with their drinks and began chit chatting. John was amazed how easily this had happened. It was a rare occasion. He knew that a lot of women had their guard up when entering a bar. How many guys had the reputation of being interested in only finding a one night pickup? Not that John was opposed to the occasional hookup, but he was naturally a bit shy, and a true romantic. He also had a real respect for women. He found that he truly enjoyed talking with a woman. While he enjoyed the normal guy stuff, he found that women were much more personal.
So they enjoyed their drinks and chatted about the usual stuff. He found out that she was a real estate agent. She was in town for a few days for a conference. She was married to a great guy who was a banker and had a couple of kids. She enjoyed running for exercise and for that feeling of getting out on her own. She even was running some road races. She also enjoyed music, particularly jazz, although she rarely got to really listen to it.
John was a good conversationalist. He knew how to ask questions and really listen. He also noticed the little things in a conversation. He noticed how Sarah was leaning in to talk to him. She kept playing with her hair and made several soft touches with her hand on his hand. When she first entered he thought she was not at ease, but she had quickly gotten comfortable in his presence. At least that was the way he was reading it. But then he asked maybe the first wrong question for the night. She had mentioned that it was the first time she had ever come to a conference without her friends and her peers.
"Why did you come alone to this conference?" he asked her.
He could sense immediately that it struck a nerve. She regained that ill at ease feeling. She got quiet. John found himself quite uncomfortable.
"I am sorry, I did not mean to ask anything too personal," he replied to her hesitation.
"It's okay. It's not you. I... I'm just not sure how to answer it." She got immediately quiet again.
"Hey it's no big deal. Forget I asked," John replied, trying to put her at ease again. It did not seem to work.
She took a look around the bar. John set back. "I hope I am not boring you?" It was typical of John. Even though he was an attractive man, he always seemed a bit passive around women. He never felt comfortable pushing himself on someone and if they gave any indication that they were not interested, he would immediately back off.
Sarah smiled at him, and seems to gain that feeling of being comfortable with him. She said to him, "No, not at all. I guess I just have some extra energy for, some reason. I am a bit keyed up tonight."
John replied, "So, let's go for a walk. There air is good outside and perhaps the walk will help you burn off some of that energy. Besides, I know of a way cool fountain that sits near a piano bar. We can listen to music outside."
Sarah took stock of John, or so it seemed to him. She smiles again and says, "Yeah lets go."
John realizes that he is getting attached to that smile of hers. He pays the tab and they head out. The walk was not very far, and it was a perfect spring evening. John could not help but notice Sarah's good looks as they headed out. She got a few steps ahead of him while he was paying. He began to admire her terrific ass and then shook the thought aside. Behave yourself, he thought to himself. Still, it was a great looking ass.
They hit the sidewalk and began walking. It was more of a stroll. Sarah moved close to John and put her arm in his. It took him by surprise, but he did not complain. Walking arm in arm was not always easy, so her hand slipped down to his and they continued walking, holding hands. John definitely was reminding himself to behave. But he realized that he was really enjoying being with this woman.
They came up to the fountain. The Piano Bar was in full swing. There was a decent crowd, but they did not have to go inside to hear the music. The fountain was in the middle of the square, and there were already a few people sitting along the side enjoying the music and the night air. Sarah was still very quiet, although John had continued to chat about things as they walked. He did notice, but he was also astute enough to leave it alone. He knew that she would come to it in her own time.
Sarah was obviously enjoying the music and she turned and said to John, "I never get to do this kind of thing."