"Sam, another Budweiser please," James asked as he drained the last one.
"He's open. He's open ... Touchdown!" James slapped his hands on the solid mahogany bar before him. "Sam, did you see that pass? I didn't think he'd get it between the two d-backs."
Sam sat the bottle on a fresh napkin in front of James. The University of Texas was playing on ESPN against LSU and James was wishing he were in Baton Rouge instead of sitting in this fancy bar in Chicago. He never missed a home game and tried to make many of the road trips. He had planned to follow the team to LSU but his boss had to cancel on this trip and sent him in his place.
This was the second time James had had to go to Chicago and he didn't care much for it the first time around. He had walked around and seen some of the sights but it was just too big city for him. He figured he'd have dinner, watch the game from the bar and call it an early evening. The hotel was five star rated and though he looked out of place wearing Levi's and boots, he didn't have any problems with being out of place.
James had walked around the corner and found himself an excellent steak before returning to the hotel lounge and making fast friends with Sam the bartender. He took up a barstool at the end of the bar near the TV to watch the game. Hotel guests and passers-by stopped into the bar, usually waiting for dinner reservations or just to meet friends. James had been pretty oblivious to most of the crowd. He was able to see them enter the lounge by glancing in the mirror behind the bar, but he wasn't really interested. He was watching Longhorn football.
The game was early in the third quarter and Texas looked like they would prevail. A couple groups of people had gathered at different tables in the lounge. Two professionally attired cocktail waitresses serviced the tables as Sam poured the drinks behind the bar. During a commercial break, laughter erupted from a table near the opposite end of the bar. James looked over at the commotion and saw three guys sitting with four beautiful women. There were two blondes, a brunette and a redhead. The men were all wearing dark suits, each finely tailored. The women wore dresses of varying lengths but each quite dressy yet sexy at the same time. Before James looked back at the game, the young lady with long auburn hair caught his attention. She briefly smiled at him, her green eyes flashing. James returned the smile before turning back to the game. As Texas drove for another score, his attention was now somewhat diverted. He found himself looking in the mirror, seeing the auburn-haired beauties reflection. Her back was to the bar, but he could see her profile as she chatted with her friends.
The third quarter was nearing the end with Texas up by two touchdowns. "Evening Sam. A glass of my Cab and another Bud for your friend."
James turned his head away from the screen to find the stunning redhead standing beside him. "You don't have a problem with a lady buying you a drink, do you cowboy?"
"No ma'am." James slid off his barstool, "Have a seat?" as he offered her the barstool beside him. When she was seated, James sat back on his stool.
"My name's James ma'am."
"It's a pleasure to meet you James. My name's Stephanie but my friends call me Stevie." Sam sat the two drinks down on the bar before them and walked to the other end. "You seem to have some interest in this football game. Who's playing?"
"LSU and Texas, my alma mater. Texas is up 14 at the end three."
"Texas is playing better than expected this year. Do you think they can win their conference?" James was impressed. She didn't sound like a Texan yet she knew about Texas football.
"Yes ma'am I do. Are you a football fan?"
"I watch it some and I like to stay informed." The two of them talked through the first part of the fourth quarter, James' interest in the rout was waning as he studied this beautiful lady. Midway through the quarter, one of the blondes from her table slid up beside and whispered in Stevie's ear. "My friends are getting ready to go to clubbing. You're a little underdressed but we can get you in with us. Would you like to join us?"
James thought about it for moment, "Sounds nice but my music tends to stay pretty close to country. Y'all don't look like you're headed to a country club." James cracked a big smile as he studied her skin-tight dress and heels.
"Not quite country. That's too bad, I think we'd have some fun." She slid off the stool and James did like-wise.
He extended his hand, "Pleasure to meet you Stevie and thanks for the beer." Stevie took his hand then leaned in against him and kissed him on the cheek. She leaned close enough so he could feel her breasts press against his chest. She walked over and joined her friends as they got ready to leave.
"You're not going with her?" Sam asked as he walked over to James.
"Nah. I like to dance but only to country."
"Damn, Stevie doesn't get turned down very often."
"You know her?"
"Yeah, I've known Stevie a couple years. You get to know people when you tend bar."
"Do you know her friends?"
"I know three of the girls."
"Not the guys?" Sam had a slightly confused look on his face for a moment. The girls waved at Sam as they left the lounge. He realized James didn't have a clue.
"The girls are something like regulars in here." James just looked at him. "Damn, how small is that town you live in cowboy?"
"It's no Chicago, but it's a pretty good size town. Why?"
Sam bent over the bar so he could lower his voice. "Stevie and her friends date for a living." James' eyes lit up as recognition set in. Sam could see it coming, "Don't say it!" He could hear the word 'hooker' being blurted across the bar. Some of the staff new about the girls but they kept it pretty quiet so upper management wouldn't know. As long as they didn't embarrass any of the guests, they were welcome. Who doesn't like to see beautiful women?
James leaned forward, "She's a prostitute."
"Escort is the correct terminology."
"She was so pretty and so easy to talk to. I never had a clue."
"Stevie's a great girl. She comes in here some nights when it's slow for both of us and she keeps me company. She's really a bright girl."
At that moment Sam saw the lounge door swing open and Stevie walk through the doorway. He smiled at her striding towards the bar. Her long auburn hair sat on her shoulders, her body amply filling out the curves of her above the knee dark green dress. James picked up on Sam's smile and looked in the mirror. He saw Stevie walking up to him.
"Hey cowboy, I know a great little C&W bar a ten dollar cab ride from here. Interested?" James spun around on his stool to face her. She caught the look in his eyes and knew that Sam had clued him in.
"Sorry Stevie, I didn't think you'd be back ..." Sam's voice trailed off as Stevie held up her hand.
"No problem for me. The question is does James here have a problem?"
James thought about it for only a moment, "The only problem I have is wondering how you can dance in heels that high?"