We were alone only for one quick beer.
And that one hardly took my edge off. I was just putting my bottle down and turning to ask for another when four bottles appeared on our table. I looked at the hand holding them, followed up the arm and caught my breath when I saw the most brilliant blue eyes I've ever seen. The kind that are hard to look directly into, they're so clear and intense.
"Hi, I'm Ed," he said. My husband kicked me under the table -- not only was I staring, but my mouth was hanging open. We introduced ourselves and then were joined by Ed's wife, Lisa.
Ed was a slightly taller than my husband and about ten years older. Once you got past those startling eyes, you noticed the laugh lines and weathered appearance that comes from a lot of time outside and a lot of laughter. He wasn't nearly as muscular as my husband, but rather leaner, like a runner. Not unappealing at all, but different than what I was normally attracted to. He had light hair with just a touch of salt and pepper and from what little I could see peeking from his shirt, it appeared the salt and pepper was working on his chest as well. Lisa was a few years older than myself, with beautiful blonde hair and hazel eyes. She, too, had an outdoorsy look and unassuming manner. She was a little shorter than me, and not as well endowed, but I noticed my husband checking her out nonetheless. We felt at ease with them both and spent the next hour or so getting to know each other.
Ed explained that he noticed us come into the bar and assumed it was our first time at something like this. He explained that they'd only been to a few of these. Ed and Lisa were bright, funny and very down-to-earth. Talking with them was comfortable, like we'd been friends for a long time -- it was not at all what I expected and I was pleasantly surprised. The drinks flowed as fast and freely as our conversation and laughter and before I knew it, we were all on the dance floor. I was cocktailed like I hadn't been in ages, dancing like I was half my age. Some part of me knew that no matter what happened tonight, I'd probably be most embarrassed about the dancing when I sobered up!