It was Friday night. Date night. The trendy restaurant hummed with the sound of laughter, conversation and an undercurrent of smooth piano music. Wine bottles of a variety of types and vintage lined the walls and the room was decorated with elaborate velvet chairs and finely carved tables. A row of intimate booths ran up the right side of the restaurant. In one of these sat Jasmine. She looked radiant. Her finely styled blonde hair was up for the evening and her skin glowed a healthy bronze. She was wearing a tight sequined black dress which modelled her figure in all the right places and had picked her best pair of black strappy heeled sandals. Her feet were adorned with an impeccable French tipped pedicure.
After years of guys messing her around, she finally found her match. Like herself, Jonathan was ambitious, athletic and driven. After working for so many years establishing her own beauty and salon business it had been hard for Jasmine. Finding men that could match her pace of work was difficult. Her discerning tastes were not only in men but also in her lifestyle. She worked hard and spent hard. Driving her Mercedes, holidays to Dubai and farther afield, jewellery and fine dining. Finally, she had met her perfect pair with Jonathan. Like herself, he ran his own business, was athletic and liked the finer things in life. She had been instantly taken with his herculean figure, broad shoulders and bronzed skin combined with his ambitious drive and charismatic personality. She felt warmth within her as their eyes met over the candlelit table.
"You look amazing tonight babe." He said, sipping his wine.
"This old thing? Sure, I just threw it on." Jasmine said wryly.
"Hopefully you can throw it off later just as easily."
"Chancer!" She giggled.
"Did you enjoy your meal?"
"You know how I love seafood. It was perfect. Had this place on my list for a while. How did you get a table so easily? I heard it was booked up for months."
"I made a few calls. Helps to have contacts in the business." He said with a smile.
"Aren't I so lucky. Handsome and connected." Jasmine said. "Maybe time you got some luck." She said playfully.
"I know that look. Just need to settle up and head to the bathroom. See you in a bit." Jonathan said.
He rose and Jasmine's eyes followed him as he leaned over the table and kissed her softly. She gently gripped his brawny forearm before he stepped away. Jasmine could not remember when she had ever been so happy. So many disappointing guys and now she found herself with her dream. She checked her phone to review her appointments for the following day before noticing movement in the corner of her eye. She looked up from her phone and noticed a vaguely familiar face walking towards her. Could it be him? Surely not. That would be a coincidence. The face sparked her memory, but he was taller now, with better complexion. The figure who approached was about 5 9", with well-groomed stubble and sharp eyes. Glimmers of grey ran through the sides of his otherwise dark brown hair which was immaculately parted. He was well dressed, wearing a black velvet blazer with an open collar white shirt and black trousers. He strode towards her confidently and Jasmine's mind clicked as he reached the table.
"Jasmine?" He queried.
"Oh my god! I can't believe it. I thought it was you. We haven't seen each other since high school! How long has it been?" Jasmine said, rising to hug him.
"Oh at least 10 years, maybe 12?" He replied. Jasmine noted his gaze flicking up and down her body.
"At least. Wow. So how have you been? What are you up to?"
"Oh, you know, labouring away. I moved into the public sector a while back. Better pay and conditions. Bits and pieces of project management that sort of thing. How about you? You're looking stunning." He replied. Did Jasmine note a particular gaze at her feet? The thought passed.
"Thanks! Sounds like interesting work. I've got set up with my salon business now. Started out just doing appointments door to door at people's homes and then finally got enough pulled together to open my own place. I now have 10 girls working for me, mainly nail appointments, tanning and health and beauty treatments."
"Sounds fantastic. Great to hear you're doing so well. Haven't really seen much of the others from high school. Noticed the guy who was with you, not interrupting date night am I?"
"Oh, don't worry, he stepped away to the bathroom. Yeah, Jonathan and I have been together 2 years now. Scary how time flies. We moved into our own place 6 months ago."
"Sounds serious. I'm happy for you. Listen, it was lovely to catch up. I'm just upstairs in the cocktail bar with some old work colleagues so best head back. But I might have a business opportunity for you, do you have a card?"
"Umm, sure. Here you go." Jasmine said, slipping her contact card from her purse.
"Thanks. I'll be in touch and leave you to your date night. Was great seeing you. Enjoy your night and I will be in touch."
"Ok, have a good night."
Jasmine watched him go and sipped the last of her wine. What a small world it was. Jasmine mused over how a public sector employee would have any business for a beauty salon owner. Before she could muse much longer Jonathan returned to the table.
"He babe, ready to go?"
"Yeah, perfect. Just need to slip on my coat."
"Best hurry. Can't wait to get you home and out of that dress." Jonathan muttered.