It was about 5:30 on Friday afternoon. The staff had gone and I was locking up the office. Instead of going to the carpark, I walked out the front door and up the road to the motel where local businesspeople gather at the bar after work.
I didn't see anyone I knew but I sat on a stool by the bar and ordered a beer anyway. As I savoured the first sip, my eyes wandered around the room and stopped when they focused on a very attractive brunette sitting alone at a table. I have to admit I was staring and felt awkward when she looked up and saw me. I thought I saw the smallest of smiles as she diverted her gaze...
Much as I tried, I couldn't stop looking at her and after a few minutes, her eyes again caught mine and I did see a smile. I raised my glass to her and my gesture was returned.
The dilemma - should I take it further - or not?
I ordered another beer and took it to her table; a simple "Hi, can I join you?" got a positive response, so I pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Darren"
"Rachael"
"What are you drinking - can I get you another?" I asked
"Soda water, and yes."
I called the waiter over and ordered.
"Haven't seen you here before" (A great opening I thought afterwards.)
"No, I'm from Interstate and I'm here on business."
"On Friday night; why didn't you go home?"
"I'm seeing friends tomorrow; they live a couple of hours out of town."
"Why not go there tonight then?"
"Don't like driving at night, especially in a hired car" she replied, "So I decided to stay here and leave early in the morning."
"Sounds reasonable! So, what brought you to Brisbane?"
"I'm in the IT game and I had to do some training at a new client site just around the corner; I've been here since Wednesday."
"You travel a lot with your job I guess."
"Yes, too much I think! I'm away every two or three weeks."
"Bet your husband hates that."
"He did but we're not together any more."
Interesting... I didn't ask what happened.
"That's sad. You got kids?"
"One; Jack, he's 7. His grandmother is staying at my place looking after him. I must admit I feel guilty being here tomorrow but I haven't seen my friends for two years so I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to catch up. Enough of me, what about you; what are you doing here?"
"I'm an engineer. My office is two minutes walk away - this is my local watering hole. There's generally a couple of people I know here on Friday and it's nice just to catch up."
The conversation continued and after 10 minutes the waiter came over and asked if we were dining.
"Why not?" Rachael replied. "You want to eat, too, Darren?"
What the hell; nothing ventured nothing gained. This may go somewhere; she was hot!