I liked George immediately, and not just because she was a girl named George. Georgina "George" Kelly and I met on our flight from Seattle to Chicago. I'd been there on business, she visiting family. She was fascinating. She was a travel writer and editor. Her job was to visit tourist sites, hotels and restaurants and evaluate them for new or updated travel guides. I was a travel fanatic as well so we spent the whole flight discussing where we'd been and where we were desperate to go. She was able to recommend great deals and places to visit.
But more than just having things in common, I was drawn to her magnetism. She was very open and friendly, and had an affectionate way of touching my arm to emphasize her points. And I'll admit it is hard to dislike someone who is that gorgeous. She had beautiful shiny chestnut hair, intense light blue eyes, and an engaging smile. I love my wavy, dark red hair but it will never shine the way hers did.
She, too, had recently ended a long-time relationship, though hers was with a girl. George told me it had been her first and only relationship with a woman and now she wasn't quite sure what she was looking for so she was staying single. I didn't pry but I was secretly dying of curiosity of what it was like, I'd never been with a woman. Unfortunately that would have been a little too intimate for two people who'd only met three hours ago.
As we started our descent into Chicago O'Hare Airport, we exchanged contact information. We both lived in Manhattan. In fact, we were both connecting to the same flight, but our seats weren't together. It was a tight connection and we'd need to practically run to make it.
George handed me her business card with her email address and cell phone number. "We'll get together for drinks next weekend. Give me a call later in the week." I felt my stomach flutter when she smiled at me. I knew it was just my curiosity over her experience, but it made my cheeks feel warm anyway.
"I definitely will! It will be nice to hang out with a girlfriend who isn't just focused on meeting a man."
Her throaty laugh was charming. The way she tossed her head back drew my eyes to her long, graceful neck. I wished my skin was so smooth and creamy looking. My eyes slid down her neck to her rounded cleavage. I quickly glanced back up and realized she'd caught me looking. I busied myself packing up my carry-on bag.
******
"Are you kidding?" I asked the airline check-in woman, barely concealing my annoyance.
"I'm very sorry, ma'am. But we can get you on the first flight tomorrow morning."
I looked over at George who shrugged back at me. We'd just been told that our flight to New York was overbooked and since we were the last two to check in, we were the lucky ones to get bumped from the flight. And they couldn't get us on another flight until tomorrow.
"Again, I'm very sorry for the inconvenience. Of course your hotel stay tonight will be on us and we will also provide vouchers for your dinner." I could tell the woman behind the desk was just hoping I wouldn't throw a fit. I knew it wasn't her fault.
"Thank you. That would be very helpful."
She issued our new tickets for tomorrow, gave us our vouchers, and directed us to our hotel. Of course, also casually mentioning that our luggage would be waiting for us in New York.
George and I laughed at our situation and agreed that at least we were fortunate enough to have good company. We walked to the airport hotel and went to check-in to our rooms.
While the hotel receptionist was looking for two adjoining single rooms, I sighed, "It's too bad I don't have my swimsuit, I could really use the jacuzzi right now."
The blonde receptionist overheard and offered, "If you two are traveling together, I'd be happy to upgrade your two single vouchers to a suite. All of our suites have jacuzzi baths and there are two separate beds."
I glanced at George who laughed, "That sounds perfect if it's okay with you! I could use a good soak as well."
I turned to the receptionist, "We'll take it!"
******
"George," I shouted from the bathroom, "Look at this jacuzzi! You could fit four people in here!"
I heard her call in response, "I'd check it out but I'm afraid I can't leave this fluffy bed!"
