Gabby
was sitting on a stool, absorbed in thought as a fabulously dressed businessman
asked, “Is this seat taken?”
Geeze!
Not now, she thought.
Gabby
never gave off the vibe of approachability. Yet it still happened. Only brave
and secure men attempted to penetrate her aloof exterior. Those who made a
genuine attempt were usually rewarded with a smile and simple conversation.
Ugghhhhh!
She
wanted to spend these precious moments thinking about her plans but Joe, the businessman, kept pressing. “Where’re you going?” “Going alone?” “Why isn’t he here then?”
Gabby
was getting a migraine. The Pinot Noir wasn’t helping and Extra Strength
Tylenol wasn’t touching it.
Joe had a valid point.
Where
the hell was he?
Nowhere
in her practical and rational mind did she ever think they'd carry out this plan.
Always playing around in an innocently suggestive manner. Scheming, putting
together wish lists, bucket lists and everything close friends do.
Were
they fooling themselves thinking men and women could truly be just that?
Friends.
“May
I buy you a glass of wine?” Joe asked.
Glancing
at her watch, Gabby had 20 minutes before she was due to board.
“Thank
you.” She said quietly. Proceeding to stare into the deep red liquid never
raising the glass to her lips and never saying another word to Joe.
Every
few seconds, she flipped her wrist to glance at the minute hand. Talk about
moving at a snail’s pace. Her brain, however, was in overdrive working through the
entire scenario of how she arrived here; on this stool, talking with stranger and waiting for a man who might never come.
It
was his idea to tag along on her business trip then make a weekend out of it.
He secured tickets to the hot new Broadway play, researched and made all the
dinner reservations, planned their walking itinerary through Central Park to
The Met.
And
now HE’S the one chickening out? All
along, he teased and accused her of being the one who would.
God!
This is embarrassing. Being stood up by a “friend” no less.
Hearing,
“Boarding all rows for flight #344.”
She
swung her long legs off the stool, stood, and began her walk of shame to the
gate. As she got closer, she glanced up and saw that familiar gait approaching
her with his head hanging down.
“Hey
you!” Gabby shouted.
Surprised,
Will smiled broadly, “I waited at the bar over there for over an hour.”
“And
I was at that bar.” Gabby pointed back laughing at her stupid doubt.
