It had been a long week. Eight hour days in trial had forced me to return client calls well into each evening. By the time I arrived home at night I was too tired to do much of anything. On the other hand, I was out of bed every morning before 5:00 a.m. making final preparations for the next day's events in court.
Finally it was Friday and by 7:00 p.m. I had returned by last call, finished my work and it was time to relax. I was tired. I thought about driving home, but decided I really didn't feel like being alone for another night. I hadn't been to the pub at the Black Swan recently and decided to give it a try. The Black Swan is one of Kalamazoo's finest restaurants but definitely not a place to go alone. Besides, I had little interest in a big fancy meal. Fortunately the Swan also has a small English style pub attached to it. I knew I could get there what I really wanted: a beer, one of their excellent prime rib sandwiches and if I were lucky, maybe a bit of conversation.
I arrived, parked, opened my door, had a second thought, had a third thought and decided, what the Hell, you've earned it.
I walked into the pub, found a stool at the bar, and ordered a cold bottle of Paulaner's Salvator, Germany's first and only authentic dopplebock. That first long, malty, almost caramel pull, hit the spot so perfectly that it seemed to melt away the long week. A few minutes later after gulping down my last drop of nectar, I closed my eyes and held the cool bottle to my forehead. I stood and literally shook the stress from my body like a dog shaking water from his fur. It was then that I heard a giggle off to my right. I lowered my bottle to the bar and looked over my shoulder to see whom it was who had found my actions so amusing. I found myself staring into a pair of deep blue eyes and two full, smiling lips. Before I could say anything she quipped, "Did you have that bad a day?"
I turned away raising my hand to get Michele, the bartender's, attention, "Yea, a long week."
She replied, "Well, watching you was pretty funny."
Curtly, "That's exactly what I'm here for . . . your amusement."
From the corner of my eye I could see the smile leave her face as she fell silent for a moment and then added, "Sorry, didn't mean to bother you. I was just trying to make a little talk."
I finally got Michele's attention and she approached asking, "Another one Jake?"
"Please."
Out of curiosity I glanced over at Ms. Blue Eyes and secretly gave her the once over. She had turned on her bar stool so she faced away from the bar. Not too bad I thought. Cute face, nice full breasts and she definitely had it going on from the waist down. She wore a clinging navy dress which was just long enough for business purposes and just short enough to make a guy wonder. Her legs were bare, crossed and as my eyes followed the curve of her calf, I caught the matching, heeled sandals. Her hair: full, thick, wavy and red, falling just past her neck. What attracted me most were those legs: very smooth, very toned, and very tanned. It was obvious she took care of them the legs of an athlete. When I looked back up she was staring at me. A shy little tease crossed her lips. I looked away. Michele set the beer in front of me. "I'll add it to your tab Jake. Oh and by the way," lowering her voice and nodding her head almost imperceptibly sideways, "she's a nice lady."
Looking up and after pausing for a moment, "Thanks Michele."
After a quick first swig and another lingering glance at those wonderful legs, I finally turned. "Hey listen, we got off on the wrong foot. I'm really sorry about what I said earlier. I'm Jake."
She gave me one of those quizzical sideways looks and after an uncomfortable moment of silence, she smiled, held out her hand and drawled, "I heard, I'm Suz."
I smiled and shook her hand. "Glad to meet you Suz and again I apologize for my sour disposition."
She swivelled on her bar stool so she faced me with those lovely legs crossed in my direction. "Fair enough."
I just couldn't help continuing to stare at those long, sexy legs and quickly enough I caught a hint of excitement beginning to stir in my stomach. "What are you drinking? It's on me."
A smile, "Oh, Toasted Head chard and thank you."
I called Michele over and ordered Suz's wine and a third Salvator for me.