Author's note: This is part one of a two part story.
Occasionally Jeremy had to go away on business trips, usually for education or seminars. He was not the type of person who usually looked forward to this time as a time to get away from his wife and play like some guys do.
But Jeremy, like most guys could not ignore a sexy or interesting woman. He also was not the kind to go to strip clubs or bars to pick up women when away on these trips, usually he just went to the classes, get what needs to be done and maybe do a little sight seeing and enjoy trying out different places to eat.
This particular time was not much different, except the course was perhaps a little more difficult, and he knew it'd mean he'd have to spend a little more time studying in his room than usual. Not that he was any brain, but usually these classes are designed so that you can spend some time enjoying being in a different place and not being overloaded with homework. Plus many times they are specially designed programs or software on special hardware that they are not going to let you bring back to your hotel room!
He arrived Sunday night and went out and did his traditional drive around to see what was around, what eating places would be interesting and make sure he knew where the classes were. Finally he made a quick stop at the grocery store to pick up some snacks to go with all that studying.
Jeremy decided on a small diner to eat before returning to his hotel room.
He got a table, kind of at the end of a row and could see all the way down the line of tables and booths. He ordered a steak sandwich and some steak fries and a soda. As most people are, Jeremy was always uncomfortable when you are alone and waiting for your dinner, you kind of sit there not doing anything, trying to read menus pamphlets that they have and bottle labels and other terribly interesting things, till you get so bored you start just day dreaming.
When Jeremy daydreamed he would look at other diners and study who they are with and what do they seem like. It was kind of like a character study.
Being a male, his eye would be caught by an attractive woman. If they were with anyone he might try to figure out by the way they act are they married or out on a date, or just with an acquaintance. If they seemed like a couple he might watch them to see how matched they seem and what might have attracted them to each other.
The trouble with this practice is, many of these character studies involved attractive women and many women really seem to get offended at this and yet it seems so natural, kind of like it's the built in survival of the species thing, and you do have to try not to be rude and make sure not to stare.
Actually Jeremy as well as many men think isn't someone watching you and appreciating you a compliment? Most men wouldn't get offended if someone was looking at them, most would feel flattered, so long as they don't get obnoxious and plant themselves on them.
Tonight, most of the people there were couples and a few families which appeared to be younger married couples taking their parents out for Sunday Dinner.
There were a couple of people sitting alone. One was a woman who looked to be doing the same as Jeremy had just got through doing, trying to read anything readable on the table while waiting for your dinner, then phasing out and the short observations can extend a little longer than they should, she had picked a bottle, a generic steak sauce, determined the same as Jeremy that it had the usual ingredients, and then placed it down and looked up straight down his way.
Their eyes met for a short time and they both turned away realizing they had phased out staring at each other while each was waiting. She didn't seem perturbed or upset, just kind of looked around some more herself.
Jeremy looked up again just as her gaze came back to his. He kind of turned his head down and smiled, thinking how funny it was they were both going through the same things mentally probably.
Just then his dinner came and not having eaten since about noon, he was hungry and dug in, glad for something to keep him busy so he wouldn't stare! A couple of other times he looked down her way and saw that she had crossed her legs and they were pointed a little more toward him. She had a fairly short skirt on, which he hadn't noticed before, and she had nice legs and Jeremy was getting quite a nice view! He glanced up to see her glance at him and thought he might have seen a slight smile.
During the rest of the dinner this happened a few more times, but then Jeremy was done and ready to get back to the room and hang out and relax and get ready for the next morning.