The food court was beginning to thin out as the lunchtime crowd started leaving. I had taken off of work that day and got to the food court early so the small table hidden away from the main area was unoccupied . It was where I usually sat when I wanted some privacy which I guess, is most of the time. It's my shyness. I like people, but I'm more comfortable being on the fringes, looking in.
The morning spent downtown had gone by quickly. I took a later bus in so I could get there when the art museum opened and not have to wait around. Being a weekday, the museum had a nice, quiet quality to it. I didn't have to worry about being jostled or having someone blocking my view. I took my time and immersed myself in my favorite paintings.
After the museum, I walked around downtown just enjoying the people and the weather. Out of habit I went to the food court near work. I also wanted someplace where I could start the book I just bought which was what I was doing when I heard a voice ask, "Is this seat taken?"
Stifling my irritation and putting on a face of blandness, I looked up and saw dark hair in a page boy cut, large blue eyes and a cute upturned nose. I had to stifle a smile. It was Laura and I barely managed to say, "No, not all. Please, sit."
"Thanks," she said and sat. While she was eating, I tried to pretend I was reading, but I kept stealing glances at her as she ate. Much like it is on the bus we ride into work together on. I'd always read the newspaper, but every time I turned the page, I'd look at her, sitting across from me.
Today she was wearing a pink round neck sweater and I could see the outline of her bra holding in nice, small breasts. Plus, I thought I saw a darker area which I hoped was her areola and a little bump. It may be wishful thinking, but it looked like the outline of a nipple. Every look I took, I looked real hard.
She finished eating and looked up with a small smile. "I was hungry. I hate to eat so late, but I had to finish some work before I could go. Still a lot to do when I get back. Not a good day I'm afraid. Sure did miss you on the bus this morning." Realizing what she just said, she gave an embarrassed look.
I sat there and struggled to find something to say, trying to figure out what she meant. After what seemed like hours, I managed to blurt, "It was nice of you to notice."
A small smile crossed her face and she said, "A girl likes to be admired, you know, and I needed that ego boost this morning. I knew it was going to be a rough day."
"I'm sorry," I stammered. "I really hope it doesn't seem as if I'm staring at you. Sometimes I'm just thinking about something and not seeing what I'm looking at."
"Like yesterday? Let's see, I wore that short skirt with a big slit in front. I know I had trouble keeping that slit closed when I sat down. I got the distinct impression though that you were trying to get a peek of my panties. You were stealing more glances at me than you usually do."
"I'm sorry," I blurted before I could catch myself. "I didn't mean to look. You're, you're such a gorgeous woman."
She looked down at the table. When she looked back up there seemed to be an impish grin on her face. "So, tell me. What do you think about when you look at me?"
I froze. I'm a bad liar and my mind was racing to find something plausible.
"C'mon. Don't be shy. And the truth. You've got to tell the truth now."