She took a deep breath as the uniqueness of the Story Room assailed her senses. The bitter coffee mixing with the sweet and spicy scents of hard liquor; the muted light that illuminated and softened those who bathed in it. It had been a long day, longer than she had liked or expected, she needed this. There was nothing more relaxing that a quiet drink at the Story Room. So named for its patrons and their love of reading. This cosy watering hole welcomed the bookish with open arms, overly comfortable chairs, and tonight, cupcakes.
That was why she was here, it was always hardest to stay away on cupcake night, normally she only had one but, after a day like today she motioned the girl behind the counter for two of the blue iced ones. As she made her way to her seat she glanced around at the other patrons. There was a few other already enjoying tonight's special: the older couple who always had a pink, a young man pretending to read Inferno, nervously enjoying a blue one, and a striking woman with a green cupcake who was returning her regard over a well-used copy of The DaVinci Code. As the woman continued to stare, she felt her nipples tighten and she found herself taking a booth where both women could continue to observe each other.
The spell was broken as her order arrived: two blue cupcakes placed in the middle of her table along with a modest bottle of dessert wine. While she really only wanted a glass, she knew there would be friends arriving soon so the bottle was the more prudent choice. As she settled in to wait, her own book was produced and she lost herself to an enticing adventure of bounty hunters and spies...
"Excuse me, it appears we have similar tastes in authors," grey-green eyes smiled down at her from a golden brown face caped with dark glossy curls. She gave him a once over: broad shoulders that filled out his white button down shirt quite nicely, strong forearms that hinted at a man who worked on his body both at the gym, and if the inky scroll sliding down his wrist was any indication, and the tattoo parlour. She returned his smile as he glanced down at her two bold cupcakes.
Offering her a cheeky grin he continued, "This place is always so crowded, would you mind if my friend and I joined you?" gesturing to another man, similar in height with a slighter build, and fairer complexion. She took a drink to stall while she looked both men over, her heart beating more rapidly as she considered what was really being offered. These men had obviously enjoyed cupcake night before and understood how the game worked. It wasn't a binding contract, and it wasn't often that she needed to rescind the offer, but tonight was different, tonight was two. As she drank her eyes met with the silent observer, who was at this moment watching the whole interaction with interest. Once again she felt her body respond with a tightening in her lower stomach. She returned to the problem at hand and invited both men to her table with a nod.