Sara had decided to walk to the restaurant where she was meeting her friends for lunch. Marcello's was only five blocks away, and it was a beautiful spring day. Sara loved the Italian restaurant; not only was the food good, but the building that housed it was old and gorgeous.
The petite brunette reached the eatery and joined her three other friends. She had been friends with all of them since grade school, and it was great to laugh and joke around with them. The only bothersome note in the whole meal happened when Sara felt someone's eyes on her. She looked up and across the floor, meeting the eyes of a man. The blond-haired, blue-eyed gent smiled slightly and raised his glass in salute to Sara. While flattered, Sara also felt a bit unnerved by his constant stare.
The young woman went back to chatting and laughing with her friends. When she looked back over to see that the handsome man was no longer there, she felt relieved, yet disappointed. She was jolted back to the table when her friend Marina said with a laugh, "Sara? What are you staring at?"
"What? Oh, uh nothing. Sorry," she replied guiltily.
"Well, I'm on my way back to work, and so are Tabby and Catherine. Do you want a ride back to work?" inquired Marina.
"No, I walked. I'll walk back as soon as I use the restroom. But thank you," said Sara with a smile.
After a round of cheek kisses goodbye, Sara walked to the restroom. She used the toilet, then went to the sink to wash her hands. She was lost in thought, plotting the remainder of her work day, when someone handed her a paper towel.