I suddenly realized she was smiling at me.
I had the habit of hanging around at the downtown library a night or two a week after work - I realized that all the dark wood and marble in the main lobby agreed with me, as did the quiet. Like a good cigar bar, but without the smoke or the cover charge. Some of my fellow citizens had also figured this out - there were several I'd seen time and time again, and she was one I'd genuinely noticed more than once.
She was standing a floor above me, actually - the lobby where I usually sat to read was open through the three stories of the place, with the stacks of books almost up to the marble railings on each floor. She was leaning on the railing, holding a book open in front of her - thigh length denim skirt, black t-shirt, smiling over the book down at the lobby. From a quick glance around, it seemed like I was the only one in line of sight.
I realized she was holding the book upside down, and couldn't help but crack a smile back.
Her smile widened. She staged a little yawn-and-stretch routine that put some serious strain on the t-shirt, and turned slowly to walk back into the stacks, with maybe a little extra wriggle thrown in.
I really needed to get up and stretch all the sudden. A walk to the second floor seemed like a great idea.
I passed a couple of other patrons as I walked up there - one a lady whose eyes flicked downward as I passed. She doubtless wondered what had gotten me so motivated. Walked to the spot where my new friend had stood, and looked in the direction she'd walked. There she was, at the end of the stacks, still wearing the smile. She'd reshelved the book, apparently, because her hands were empty as she rubbed them down the sides of her breasts, then down her abdomen. Of course I took a step toward her, and of course she ducked into the stairwell door beside her.
I was willing to get mugged over this at this point, and moved quickly (and quietly!) to the door. I heard her giggle from above as I stepped in to the stairwell, and the third floor door opened before I could get up the stairs enough to see her again. Took a deep breath after running up - then through that door.
One eye and half a smile peeking around a stack. And then gone, off to my right.
Still trying to be quiet, not seeing anyone at all on this floor, again I went and looked. And damn near tripped - still the smile, but the t-shirt off and in her hand now. Framed in the sunset of the west window behind her. This time she inclined her head in invitation before she took off towards a corner of the place.
A little more walking would do me good, I thought.