Ryan was ready for the meeting to end. His last of the day. The customer was complaining about a tenth of an inch placement of some graphic in the marketing material, and he had heard enough. Plus, he had plans tonight.
As the meeting finally wrapped up, he looked at his phone. There was a text. "Enjoy your networking event tonight. I will enjoy mine!" Summer, his lover had sent this about 10 minutes ago. He chuckled. It was going to be an incredible night.
Summer and Ryan had been having an affair for the past 3 months. Ryan commuted to Detroit for client work. In the evenings, he had client dinners. Most often it was the same client. Summer. They had enjoyed their time together, and something deep and meaningful had grown. More than just sex, they were in love. Not the kind of love where you turned your life upside down, but the kind where two people found happiness and pleasure.
Ryan realized that he was spending more time in Detroit than he figured. So he decided that he needed to meet other business folks from the city. Both for business – and for cover. So he did research and found the Detroit Economic Club. It looked like a good group to get involved with. He had attended a lunch meeting and now it was time to attend one of their evening networking events. It was being held at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center – the hotel he was staying in that week. He was excited for the opportunity to meet more people in Detroit, even if that meant he was not having dinner with Summer.
Ryan drove from the client's office downtown, and got to the hotel. A quick stop at his room where he dropped off his briefcase. A quick brushing of the teeth, mouthwash, and a splash of cologne. A quick look in the mirror to straighten his tie – he smiled. He was fighting the coming grey – but everyone told him it made him look distinguished. He hated it.
He headed down the elevator to the lobby and walked into the main restaurant area. Volt, the main establishment in the hotel, was the location for the event. He saw a table with a young man and woman, what looked like registration. He checked in, put on his name tag, and took a glass of red wine from the waiter standing just inside. Taking a sip, he looked around the room. Ryan scanned the attendees, about 60 people. Most looked 40 and over. Most were in business wear. This looked like a group he should get to know.
Over the next 30 minutes he worked the room. He introduced himself, chatted about the Lions and the Red Wings, and the revitalization of downtown. He met everyone, but noticed one person the most. A woman about his height in her heels. Brunette. Well dressed. She was drinking a cocktail with a lime – clear. Vodka soda he wondered? They seemed to circle the room opposite of each other. But they both noticed each other. A quick look at her as she chatted with the leaders of the group. He caught her looking his way and he turned back to the group of lawyers he was engaging with. This went on for another thirty minutes until Ryan was introduced to her. The President of the Group, a woman, having learned that Ryan owned a boutique agency, decided to introduce him to the other marketing folks in the room. They shook hands and the three of them talked for a few minutes. As the president went to speak to someone else, Ryan offered to freshen her drink. She smiled and said please. "Vodka Soda with a lime." He smiled as he had gotten it right.
Ryan walked over to bar and ordered another glass of wine – a better one. And her drink. He turned to look back at the room and watched as the brunette engaged with another group of women. She smiled and small talked. But she kept her eye on Ryan. And when she saw him watching, she smiled. And then turned around. Ryan noticed her dress and jacket were well tailored, but her legs got his attention. Well defined. Muscular. Tanned. This woman worked out. She also understood her own sexuality. A professional yet sexy heel. His eyes went back up – and she caught him. Her eyebrow went up. Like what you see was telegraphed across the room. He heard the bar tender put the drinks on the bar and he turned around. Whew saved. Ryan put a twenty dollar bill on the bar, quickly adjusted himself, and took the drinks over. He handed them too her. A smile and a thank you.
The networking continued for another sixty minutes. Ryan and the brunette continued to talk with the group. Sometimes in the same group. A smile. A wink. Ryan couldn't care less about the rest of the room at this point. He wanted to be with Summer, but this woman was driving him wild. He had to see her more. As people started to file out of the room over the last thirty minutes of the event, Ryan ended up back at the bar. Since he wasn't driving, he could have a third glass of wine. He sat at the bar and ordered another glass. He thought about getting dinner as well. He felt someone slide next to him, and there she was. "Can I buy you that glass of wine? I am going to have one more as well."
Over the next 30 minutes, they chatted. They laughed. She touched his arm. He moved closer. The banter was wonderful – the chemistry was electric. He put his hand on the back of her chair and turned towards her. She put her feet on the bottom rung of his. They were leaning closer. Ryan decided it was time to see where this was going. "Hungry? I was thinking of ordering something here at the bar."
