2. Mike

two

Mike

I 've never felt this kind of connection with someone before. It's almost as if I've known her my whole life—I can't waste this opportunity. "At least let me make it up to you. What time do you get off work?"

"You are so much smoother than your friend." Her eyes twinkle, and her smile widens. "I'm off at six, but your concert starts at seven—I'll have to take a raincheck."

"I'm not from here. We're just in town for the concert."

"That's too bad." She turns back to her now full tray of drinks, lifting it easily and balancing it on one hand.

Think Mike.

"At least let me get your phone number so we can set up a date in the future." I don't add that I plan on seeing her sooner than she expects.

She gives me a slight smile, "Let me pass out your drinks."

She skillfully weaves her way through the crowd and out to the patio, pushing the door open with one hip without spilling a drop of alcohol. She stops at my table and passes out the glasses. "Can I get you gentlemen anything else?" Her eyes make contact with mine before passing over to the rest of the guys, and I hold my breath as I wait to see if she'll give me her phone number. A chorus of no thank you comes from our table. "Okay, I'll leave you to your drinks. Just let me know if you need anything else." Her eyes land back on mine, and she nods.

I spend the next hour watching her move from table to table, bringing round after round of drinks to the jovial customers as they talk about the big concert tonight when an idea strikes me. "We should probably get going," I say. But when the guys give me a confused look I add, "We want to get a good parking spot." It's a weak excuse, but it will have to do if I want to get these guys out of here and initiate my plan.

Erica walks by our table, and I motion for her to come over, "Can we get our check?" Her face falls at my request, and I secretly hope it's because she's not ready to see me go yet.

"Um, sure." She says, tearing off the bill and placing it in a black check holder, "I'll pick it up whenever you're ready." Her eyes search mine before she finally walks away.

I pick up the check holder and pay the tab, adding a hundred-dollar bill for a tip and an extra ticket to tonight's Billy Joel concert before closing it and placing it back on the table. When I found out Chad couldn't make the concert, I was going to scalp his ticket, but now it will come to better use.

I can only hope she shows up—if not for me, at least for Billy Joel.