Melissa was hurrying through the Charlotte International Airport to catch her connecting flight before pausing to check the departures board for her gate assignment. "Shit!" she said as the flight to Miami showed the status of "Delayed". She had been looking forward to the trip to Miami with her girlfriends for months and now she was stuck in Charlotte.
Her best friend Lori had called her up back in November to propose the idea. "Melissa, this is just what you need. You have been working too many hours and not going out! How long has it been since you had fun?" Lori said.
"I don't know. I have so much to do. I can't just take off like that!" Melissa replied.
"Look, I already called the rest of the Bratz Pack and everyone else is psyched! Come on, Miami in February! You know what Baltimore is like in February! Think about 85 degrees, cold fruity drinks, and smoking hot guys!" Lori replied.
"Oh, I don't know. It sounds great and all but I need to think about it." Melissa answered.
"How long has it been since you got laid? You are practically a nun now! We are taking you to Miami and that's that." Lori said.
Now Melissa was stuck at Charlotte waiting for the Miami flight. "Well, at least they have a cute bar here. I can have a warm up drink while I wait."
Melissa walked over to the "First in Flight Lounge" which had a huge mobile over the bar with all types of model airplanes. The mobile moved slowly making the models look like they were really flying around the bar. Melissa giggled at the thought. "I feel like Fay Ray with the planes circling. All I need now is King Kong to carry me off!" she thought.
After ordering a light beer, Melissa settled in to people watch. She always enjoyed watching people and wondering what they were thinking as they moved through life. She liked to make up short stories about what their lives were like.
She had been nursing the light beer for 20 minutes or so when an attractive man approached the bar. Melissa was drawn to his dark hair with a hint of grey at the temples, broad shoulders, trim middle and cute butt. He looked like a man who was confident in himself and took pride in the way he looked. His clothes were well fitting, shoes polished, and a easy smile was on his face. Melissa was almost embarrassed at the way she mentally undressed him. "God, it HAS been a long time since I got laid!" she chuckled to herself.
The man walked up to the bar right next to Melissa and shook hands with the bartender before ordering a Stella Artois. It was obvious he was a regular as he and the bartender chatted for a moment. The bartender moved off to help another patron as the man took the first taste of his beer. He was even more attractive up close and Melissa felt butterflies as she caught a whiff of his cologne. It had a slightly musky smell and was quite manly.
The man glanced over at Melissa and gave a quick smile. "I could not wait to have a cold one" he said. "It was a long day at the office and a drink was in order!"
Melissa replied "My plane was delayed so I thought what the heck -- I'm on vacation! Why not get a beer?" Inwardly Melissa cringed at her own words. Why do I always get so nervous talking to guys! That sounded so stupid!
The man smiled again and extended his hand. "My name's Jim. What's yours?"
"Melissa. I am from Baltimore." she replied as she shook his hand.
His hand was large and the grip was strong but controlled. She felt herself get even more nervous at his touch. "It's nice to meet you Melissa. It's not often I get to have a drink with such a pretty girl." Jim said.
Melissa blushed and replied "Oh, come on. I'm not that pretty."
Jim quickly answered, "Come on! Don't put yourself down. You look great! You even have a tan in February." Melissa had been at the tanning salon for a month before the trip so she did not burn in Miami. She had even tanned naked so she would not have tan lines. Melissa blushed again at this thought.
"I am headed down to Miami to meet my girlfriends. We are having a girl's party trip." she said.
"That sounds great!" Jim answered. "I hate to say this, but I have to run. It was great meeting you Melissa." he said.
"It was great meeting you too!" Melissa answered as he walked away. "Shit!" she thought. "I should have asked for his number or e-mail address! Oh well, that might have made me look desperate." Melissa thought with a sigh.
She looked up and noticed the flight to Miami was now boarding so she finished the last of her beer and hurried off to the gate.
Melissa stepped out of the airport in Miami into the bright south Florida sun. It was 85 degrees and an ocean breeze was gently blowing. "This is living." she thought as the sun caressed her face.
About that time a bright red Mustang convertible pulled up to the curb with a screech.