I was shopping for a new city. Since age 15 I had been planning my escape from the small town in which I grew up. I ended up staying local for college. I got married. I got divorced. I went back to college for a second degree. But I had to work too much so that didn't go so well. The previous decade had put me in terrible debt between the first degree and the marriage/divorce. But then it occurred to me...for the first time in all of that time, I had nothing really holding me back from moving. So I started my research.
I had several places that I wanted to explore. Honestly, I can't really afford to travel much at all if any. But I did mange to figure out a somewhat inexpensive way to afford a visit to two of my "places I need to see".
It was the second night in the second city of my tour. I would be heading home the next day. I had gotten a pretty decent deal at a rather nice, full-service hotel. It was just past 9pm when I finished my exploring for the day and returned to my room. I had to be up early for my trip home but there was too much left of night. I decided to go down to the bar/restaurant that was housed within the hotel. I ordered myself a DiSoronno on the rocks. I loved that sweet smell and luscious taste of amaretto.
The bar was pretty empty. It was a Tuesday night. I was spinning the ice in my empty glass thinking about my trip, the return home and the decisions I needed make. The bartender asked if I wanted another one. Handing him my glass I replied with a "thank you". After he returned with my drink I took a sip and then I looked up to watch him return to his conversation with another customer. It was only then I noticed that both the bartender and the male patron were particularly good looking. The bartender was tall and rather thin for my tastes but he possessed a boyish-handsome face and stunning green eyes. The patron, with which he spoke was shorter and stocky, more my style. They both had brown hair and appeared to be in their mid 20s.
The patron took notice of my interest and invited me into their conversation. I slid down the bar to join them. As it turned out, the "patron" was also an employee of the hotel. He was a bellhop who had finished for the day with his concierge service and retired to the bar, waiting for his friend (the bartender) to complete his shift.