#thanks immrhappy

It had already been a long day by the time she got to the airport. She felt flustered and dishevelled when she finally sat down at the airport bar, having checked in online already. She ordered a gin and tonic and drank it far too quickly, but it made her feel relaxed almost immediately. She was ordering her second when she noticed the only other patron sitting at the bar. He was dressed well. An average looking man. He must have sensed her gaze, because he looked up from his phone and smiled - an expression that made his face light up. She - for reasons unknown even to her - smiled, blushed and dropped her gaze. A strange moment of self-consciousness she now silently cursed herself for.

She was careful to just sip her second drink, while she checked emails and scrolled social media on her phone. She was engrossed in an old school friend’s holiday pictures, when she looked up to discover the man was now seated beside her. “Err, I’m sorry for disturbing you...” he murmured as he smiled apologetically, “It’s just that we’re the only people sitting here, and it feels strange not to come and say hi... I figure we might as well make awkward small talk until we get to board our planes and get out of this purgatory...” She was not one for small talk. Or talking to strange men. But what did it matter in the end? She’d be on a plane in little over an hour. She laughed nervously at his attempted humour. “Sure, why not...” she replied.

They spent the next hour chatting. About everything and about nothing. He was easy to talk to, and she quickly felt comfortable in his presence. She even caught herself tentatively flirting... the third drink not helping matters. He seemed to respond. It was fun, this no strings conversation. She was laughing at his dark humour, when he caught sight of the time. “Oh god... I’m going to miss my flight if I don’t go now...” he reached to shake her hand as he stood, “It was a pleasure to pass time with you. I hope you have a good trip - wherever you’re headed,” As he took her hand, she felt an unexpected jolt of pleasure and it caused her to blush once again. “It was nothing... thank you...” she replied, and he was gone.

As she sat thinking about the last hour, she realised neither of them had mentioned where they were going or exchanged names... oddly, she felt a little disappointed. Why had she not asked his name? Again she cursed herself.

The boarding call for her flight came over the speaker. Thank god, she thought, I can finally be on my way home. As she scanned her boarding pass, the attendant asked if she’d like to upgrade her seat. She accepted, of course - the end of this work trip was turning out better than she’d expected. First flirting with a lovely stranger, now an upgrade. As she made her way to her more luxurious seat, she started to smile as she recognised her in-flight neighbour. He also smiled broadly, making her stomach flip, as she sat down next to him. This time she’d be sure to ask his name.