The Night Lark

My girlfriends had talked me into a long needed night out. Nothing too crazy, I always tried to keep myself fairly reserved, just the usual few drinks and girl talk. I arrived before everyone like usual and found my seat at a corner booth facing the door and a few steps from the ladies' room. I decided I would start out slow until Sarah and Keara showed up. I didn’t recognize the waiter as he approached. With a smile, he asked, "What can I get you?" His eyes were ice blue with a gentle kindness to them, fairly attractive for a cheap waterhole, I thought. "Ummm..." my voice trailed off as my mind began to wander to what was hidden under that tight button up, that my eyes were trying their best to rip off. "Oh, uh, could I just get a zinfandel?" With a slight nod, he turned and headed back to the bar. Damn it’s been too long. When you start to undress every man you see, that’s when you know it’s been too long. Half glass in and still no Sarah or Keara. Didn’t really surprise me, they weren’t the most reliable of friends, but still they were my friends. "I guess I’ll just get another and wait." I said to myself as I drained the rest of my glass in one drink. "I’m sorry?" A low, smooth voice came from the table beside me. I choked and turned to find it’s owner. A well-built man, maybe mid thirties, was sitting at the table less than five feet away. How did I not see him come in? I would have noticed if he walked through the front door. "Oh no, I’m sorry. Talking to myself. I do that sometimes." My voice trailed off as his eyes caught mine. They didn’t just meet mine. They caught mine. They were dark, deep, and seemed endless. I realized I was still staring into them, my mouth still a bit open as though trying to continue my sentence but couldn’t. Finally, I regained control of myself. "I’m so sorry!" I said as I tore my eyes away and stared at my table, heat rushing into my face. "No, no, it’s fine, really," he replied to my obvious embarrassment, "It happens all the time.” He ended with a short grin. “Are you waiting for someone?" I again let my eyes find his, damn they were gripping. "Uh, yes.” I breathed, “Just a couple of my friends. But like usual, they’re late, and I’m here drinking alone, looking like an alcoholic." As soon as this sentence left my lips, it hit me. He’s here drinking alone! Well, there goes any chance that was never there to begin with. "Oh no, no, no, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean...." My voice quit again as he held up a hand. "Don’t worry about it. I’m not easily offended." He said with a slight laugh. "I figured it was something like that. No man in his right mind would stand up a woman as beautiful as you." I was lost in those eyes again. Yes, I know the line was corny, but did I mention that it had been a while. My face burned again, and then I noticed my face wasn’t the only thing burning at this point. "May I join you? Us alcoholics need to stick together." I nodded with a smile as he gestured to the open side of the booth. As he stood, I noticed that I hadn’t even noticed anything about him below his chin. But oh my, did I notice now. He was dressed well, very well, actually. He was wearing a dark navy blue suit that fit him perfectly in all the right places. There’s that burning again. "Hi, I’m Nero." He said with his hand out. "Hannah," I managed as I took his hand. His fingers were long and slender. My hand was lost in his as he gently shook it. I wonder what else he can do with those fingers. "Hannah. That’s a beautiful name. What do you do, Hannah?" He asked as he released my hand. To my regret. "I work for a design firm. We help companies develop marketing schemes and product logos. You?" He gave hesitant smile before he answered. "Honestly, I don’t work. I was very lucky to come into a generous amount of money quite a few years ago that gave me the opportunity to retire. Now I mainly spend my time traveling and painting. How about another drink?" He waved the waiter over before I had time to even process what he had just said. Retired? Already? There was no way he was a day over forty. "What can I get you?" The waiter asked. "I’ll take another bourbon neat and for the lady.... gin and tonic? With a twist?" How did he know? "Ummm, yeah. That’d be great." I agreed. "How did you know what I drink? You’ve only seen me have wine tonight." He gave me a wild smile as he replied, "I’m pretty good at reading people. But it was just a lucky guess this time." "Hannah, I'm so sorry we're late." Sarah pleaded as her and Keara rounded the booth. "Oh. Well, I'm sorry again. Are we interrupting something?" She said suggestingely, while giving me a side eyed smile. "Ooh, please introduce us to your friend Hannah." Keara said, scanning him from top to bottom. Of course, Keara would wear THAT tonight! Why the hell do I even try when she's around. "Well, hello, ladies. This is Nee, uh, Nico?" I said innocently, trying to play it cool. "Nero." He cut in. Obviously, a little perturbed at the fact that he hasn't embedded his entire essence into my mind. Yet. "Hello ladies, I'm afraid I may have driven your friend to boredom while waiting for you." "Oh no, not at all! I'm just bad with names." I replied as the blood rushed to my cheeks. What's wrong with me? I thought. Why can't I just ACT NORMAL! "Well, in that case, I'm very glad to have met you tonight, Hannah. It's been an absolute pleasure." He hung on that last word, knowing what it would do to me. "It's been my pleasure as well, Nero." I replied, not able to hide the quiver in my voice. Sarah and Kearas' eyes were darting between the two of us, guiltlessly invested in the cheesy soap opera unfolding. Nero slid out of the bench, giving the girls a slight nod and smile. "Ladies, have a nice night." And made his way to the bar. "Oh my. Where did Mr. Dark and Delicious come from?" Keara whispered while her eyes developed his perfect image in her mind. "Seriously. Hannah, we didn't know you had a date!" Sarah said excitedly, "Why didn’t you tell us? We could have rescheduled." "He's not a date. He was sitting at the next table and just asked to join me." I defended, in an I don't believe it myself tone. "Well... I feel like he wanted it to be." Sarah said, nodding towards the bar. Maybe she was right, I can always reschedule the girls. "If I were you, I would have never let him leave this table." Keara said, with a devious smile. Keara's right, like always. I thought. "Ok then," I announced in a decisive tone, "I will see you ladies later." "He better buy you breakfast!" Sarah called to me as I headed to the bar. This caught his attention, making him turn to see me as I approached. Oh, that smile, I thought, he'll definitely be buying me breakfast. "No, I'm serious," Nero said laughingly, "My parents owned several major properties throughout the city. When they passed, I ran them for a few years, hated it, and decided to sell the whole thing. That's not that crazy. Right?" "Oh no, not at all." I replied through a stifled laugh. "I mean, who doesn't retire at 34?" I couldn't hold the laugh back this time. "Ok, ok. I guess it is a little out of the ordinary." He let out with a chuckle. "I'm really glad you decided to give me a chance tonight. I'll try to make sure you don't regret it." His eyes boring into my soul as the words left his lips, "and I will definitely buy you breakfast."