The Day It All Began

I first noticed him sitting at a booth in the bar. He was intensely focused on the papers on the table in front of him. I’d just come down from my room to catch a break alone.

My friends had planned this weeklong trip to Houston to cool off between semesters. The studies for a Masters in Business is no walk in the park. That’s probably why he caught my attention. The pure magnetism of his calm intensity. My group had been fun and supremely energetic, but he gave off that aura that I was so familiar with.

I found a booth of my own where I could keep a glimpse of him and took out my book. Keep you close by Nora Roberts. Nora’s one of my guilty pleasure authors that I only allow myself to read while on school breaks. Breaks are the only times I find myself wanting to be wrapped up in love and lust. Romance books are so addictive. I made myself comfortable.

A waitress, Katie, came by to see if I wanted to order. I ordered wings before I look over to the guy, seeing that his glass is nearly empty, I order him a refill and a glass of water for myself, asking for mine to come together. She retreated and I turned back to Boyd and Cilia. The waitress returned a few minutes later.

‘The gentleman asks if you would like to join him for a drink’ she said with a sly smirk. I released a chuckle of surprise. ‘I’m sorry, what?’ I ask. She repeated herself and I looked over to him. He had changed his position so that he was fully facing me. I’m sure my heart tried to jump out and make a run for it, the way it sped up and echoed through my body. He smiled and gave me a light wave. I muster up a quick smile for him before looking back over to her.

‘Does this mean I just made the first move?’ She gave me an amused smile that lets me know she’s holding back a laugh. ‘Yes. Yes, you did.’ She says before she walks away.

I slid out of my booth, willing myself not to do anything embarrassing. What am I doing? I’m down here in sweatpants and a t-shirt because I only wanted some peace and quiet to read a book, then I go and make a move on this man who’s getting hotter with every step I take and who just happen to be wearing a suit minus the jack and loosen the tie. I laugh at myself because only I would come out like a slob and hit on a man who’s dressed to the nines.

He stood as I came closer to his table. Old school manners. I like it. “Hi, I’m Tolanda.’ I offered my hand. ‘Hi, I’m Jessie’ he replied, his dimples were like an Olympic pool I wanted to dive into. ‘Nice to meet you’ I said as his hand enveloped my own. Big, soft, and warm. It’s okay. If I get man crazy tonight, I’ll blame it on Nora.

‘I seem to be a bit under dressed’ I joked; he gave me a deep chuckle. ‘I actually prefer what you’re wearing’ I smiled. ‘So, what are you doing in a bar all by your lonesome?’ I asked. ‘Oh, you know, doing all the things you’re not supposed to talk about with a stranger.’ He joked ‘I’m a financial analyst. I’ve just been going over some numbers. But I wasn’t the only one alone in a bar. What’s a beautiful lady like yourself doing here alone?’

‘Oh, you know, the usual. Visiting the city with 8 people from business school, just needed a lower energy zone for a bit.’

‘Aah, looking for calm in a storm huh?’

I laughed ‘Exactly’ I say as Katie brings over my order. ‘Can I buy you a drink?’ he offered. I think for a second. “I’ll have a glass of Merlot, thank you’ I said to him. He thanked the waitress.

About 30 minutes later his tie was off completely. We were laughing and having a great time exchanging embarrassing work stories. His presence was so relaxing to me. In the middle of a story about my time in the Army, my phone rang. ‘I’m sorry’ I look at my phone. ‘It’s one of my travel buddies’.

‘Oh, it’s fine, I didn’t mean to monopolize your time. Do you need to go?’ he asked. I texted my friend letting her know where I was and asking if she needed me or was just checking in. ‘I don’t think so, but you probably need to get back to work huh’ I look up at him. He looked over at his pile of papers which were now stacked on the table and shrugged ‘I was just getting ahead. I had nothing better to do.’ I receive a text back. “Okay, get yours (winkey face)” I put my phone away. ‘I hear there’s a street nearby with some music, would you be interested in going on a walk?’ he asked. ‘I would love to. Just let me go change into some jeans and grab a jacket.’

‘I’ll change out of this suit. Should we meet in the lobby in 20?’

‘Sounds good.’ I hesitated. ‘This may come off as odd, but do you mind if I take a picture of you? It’s sort of a safety thing.’

‘How about you take a picture with me instead? It’s a little less weird’ He winked. We took a couple of photos before we went our separate ways. I went to my room and quickly changed before running down the hall to my friends. ‘Oooh, he is cute’ Sabrina said passing my phone to Erica. ‘Yeah, he is dreamy, and he looks like he wants to eat you up’ Erica laughed handing my phone back to me. ‘I can’t say I wouldn’t be interested’ I said cheekily giving us all a good laugh.

‘I should head back down. I have seven minutes.’ I told them. ‘Girl, you’re not in the military anymore you don’t have to be early.’ Sabrina replied. ‘Yeah, well some things you can’t unlearn. Besides, I may be a little excited.’ I got up and they followed. ‘What are you doing?’ ‘Oh, a picture is fine but, honey, we’re meeting him’ Erica said matter-of-factly. ‘And Daniel is on his way down too’ Sabrina added. I laughed ‘Oh great, just scare off the first man I’m interested in, in 6 months.’ I said feigning exasperation. They laughed and opened the door to Daniel and Cameron, two men from our group. ‘Ya’ll are ridiculous’ I laughed as I walked to the elevators.

As we stepped out and I saw Jessie sitting on the couch, my heart sped up a bit. How is it that he’s sexier in jeans and a button up than he was in a suit? ‘Look at her light up like the sky on fourth of July’ Erica taunted making me blush. ‘Before you embarrass me, remember, we have 3 more days left on this trip.’ I warned before walking over to him.

‘Sorry about this, my parents decided to see me off.’ He chuckled before introducing himself. They spoke for a few minutes before the women started pulling the men away. ‘We’ve only known each other for an hour, and I can already say I like your friends.’ He took my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world to him. ‘So, I’m hearing that you have a thing for pushy protectives’ I tease. He rubbed his thumb across the back of my hand. ‘I have a thing for pushy protective friends.’ We strolled a few blocks over to the beautiful water wall, where there were a couple of street musicians.

‘So, we’ve talked a lot about the little things. I want to know more about you.’ I said to him. ‘Well, I grew up here in Texas in a city called Killeen, which isn’t too far from Austin. I have two brothers and one little sister, who I’m still close with today. We take a trip once a year. I’m closest to my brother who still lives in Killeen. My other siblings live in Michigan and Maryland. Our parents died when I was 14, but my grandparents on my dad’s side took us in. We visit them on Christmas and Grandparents Day in September, but they’re retired, so it’s hard to tie them down these days. What about you?’

‘Sorry for your lost. I grew up in Detroit, the 7th of 8 children but only grew up with 5. The last half of my young life was spent in foster care until I aged out at 19. I joined the army at 20, gave that a little over 7 years, so I could work out some issues and put myself in a better position. Then I moved to Austin to get my master’s degree in business. I love my siblings and I help them when I can, but some people are best to be loved from a distance. I speak to my mom every now and them but we’re not that close. My dad passed away when I was 14. My grandparents had all passed by time I was 19. I’m closest with my sister who lives in Arizona. We talk at least once a week, and we see each other 2-3 times a year.’ I told him.

‘Wow.’ He said.

‘Sorry for laying all that on you.’ I replied slightly embarrassed for the rambling. ‘No don’t be sorry. I’m sorry you had to go through all that.’

‘Thanks, but I’m not. Sure, I had to get some therapy and I learned how to self-reflect at a young age so that I knew myself and could work out my issues early, but through all of it I found my purpose and defined my path. And I learned how to really appreciate people and love myself. I love who I am, who I could only be if I went through what I did.’

Then he looked at me for a long moment as if he’s just seeing me for the first time and stood without a word. This is why I need to go on more dates. How is it I can present business plans and schematics and even do interviews with no problem, but somehow have so many issues interacting with romantically? If the night ends right now, I’ll be satisfied. This was an unexpected encounter that I’m grateful to have in my history book.

He turned to me, offering his hand. ‘Can I buy you in another glass of Merlot?’