I had dressed very carefully for my outing to the bar. Usually we would go together, but today, he had called, and told me that he would meet me there. His instructions had been very clear. I was nervous as I stepped out of the car. I knew that I looked stunning in a black, circular skirt that came to about mid thigh, and a white silk halter top that left my back mostly bare. I had dressed to look sophisticated, but extremely sexy. I knew that Paul would approve.
As I stepped out of the car, a gust of wind lifted the back of my skirt, and I heard a whistle. I looked over my shoulder, and locked eyes with a young man across the lot. He smiled at me, and I smiled back, then put my hand back to smooth the skirt down, and walked into the bar.
The moment I walked in the door, I knew why the parking lot seemed overly crowded. There was a band on the stage that usually sat empty, and apparently they had drawn in a lot of fans. The whole place was full.
I made my way to the bar, and ordered my drink, and sat on the only bar stool that was still available. There was no hope of finding a place in a booth, which was usually my chosen seating. I looked around, and noted the regulars, talking louder than usual to be heard over the music, and a lot of new people, some talking, others focused on the music. And then I saw the photographer.
He was tall, and handsome, with dark gray eyes that laughed as much as his lips did, and dark hair. He seemed flirtatious, as he worked his way around the tables, and took pictures of various groups. He caught me staring once, and I smiled at him, and then looked away. I covertly watched him, and managed to shift my shoulders some, each time he looked my way, presenting my best "assets" discreetly. I wondered if he appreciated the subtle flashes.
I saw him head up toward the stage, as the band took a break. He looked back toward me, and smiled. I loved his smile. It lit his whole face. He spent several moments at the stage, and then he turned, and started around the room again. I sensed that he was coming toward me, and I felt my palms begin to sweat, and my face begin to redden. He paused, several times, as he wandered among the tables, and took photographs, but his eyes kept coming back to mine, and his smile brightened the room.
I had turned back to the bar, temporarily, when I felt him standing behind me. It is not a feeling that I could explain, simply an awareness of his presence. I turned, and he was there, right behind me, his whole face smiling at me.
"Hi," he said. And his voice was charming, "I'm Todd. I'm the band photographer. Would you care if I took your picture?" I felt my face reddening again, but I turned, put down my drink, and posed for him, smiling at him.
"I'm Jenn," I said, once the picture was done, and put out my hand to shake his. He held it a little longer than necessary, stroking it with his thumb. "So, how did you get to be a band photographer?"
"Well, I know them. They asked me to take some pictures for them, so . . ."
We were practically having to shout into each other's ears to be heard, and I felt myself tipping forward, off the bar stool. I put out a hand, and steadied myself on his chest. The move was completely accidental, but looking at his eyes, I wondered if he suspected otherwise. His hand went to my waist, steadying me. His eyes met mine, and suddenly became very solemn. Very intense. I felt myself beginning to melt.
The conversation continued, shouted, until finally I grimaced and shook my head. "I can't hear," I shouted.
"Come on," he said. He held out his hand, and I took it. It seemed the most natural, and right thing to do.