Samantha
SAMANTHA
I take one more look at myself in the mirror. I feel sexy. When we got back to the hotel, I gave Penny a call, and she asked me to send her a picture of me wearing the blue dress she convinced me to bring. I almost didn’t pack it, but I’m glad I did. I feel good about it. And I’m ready for whatever happens next. Hopefully, that includes someone taking this dress off in my hotel room. Chandler was quiet on the way back to the hotel, and part of me wondered if it had anything to do with me mentioning having a one-night stand. Not that I care. He sleeps around all the time. I can have all the fun I want since it's not working hours.
I’ve been at the bar for about 15 minutes, and so far, there is no sign of Chandler, which might be a good thing since I’m trying the whole ‘Only for one night’ thing. On the other side of the bar, there’s a tall man with dark hair who I’ve caught looking at me a few times. He looks younger than me. I would guess that he's in his early twenties. I shoot him a smile, and he smiles back with a nod. I watch him turn to a group of gentlemen, and then he glances at me again and smiles. He's coming over here! What do I even say? It's been way too long since I've done anything like this. Actually, I've never gone to a bar and brought someone home with me. I've got this. Just let the conversation progress naturally. I try to seem casual and unaffected, but the closer he gets, the more my heart races.
“Hi," he says, and his smile almost knocks me off my feet. “I’m Hudson.”
“I’m Sam," I say. He shakes my hand and takes the seat next to me. So far, so good.
“So, Sam. Would you like a drink?”
“Yes, I would love a drink. Thanks.”
He orders me another tequila sunrise, my celebratory drink for tonight, and a beer for himself. I think of what to talk about while the bartender makes our drinks. It’s been a while since I’ve had any interaction with a man besides work.
“So, what brings you to Raleigh?”
“Work. I’m on a business trip.”
“Oh, okay," he says, nodding his head. “A businesswoman. Cute.” He says it in a way that makes it sound very much not cute. He’s almost dismissive about it. This would usually be a big no-go for me, but he's young, so he may just not be self-aware would be my guess. And if this goes well, I'll never have to see him again. Besides, we don’t have to talk much when we get back to my room. “Why are you in Raleigh?”
“I live nearby and am out with friends tonight.”
“You and your friends always go to hotel bars?”
“No," he laughs. “Never, but we figured it’d be better to get wasted at a hotel, so we didn’t have to find rides.”
“Makes sense. Responsible," I say. Part of me just wants to cut to the chase and ask if he’d like to go up to my room, but I know that seems too forward, and I don’t want to come off as being too desperate. Even if I am a little bit desperate. The bartender places our drinks in front of us. Hudson smiles at her with a nod. At least he has nice teeth. I take a sip while I think of something else to say. I’ve never had great people skills. Well, not the kind that would get me laid in one night, anyway. How does that even work? Should I just ask him if he’s looking for a fling? Should I ask him to go up to my room with me?
“Celebrating without me?”
I turn to see Chandler leaning against the bar like some kind of Casanova. I shoot him a glare. What is he doing? He really has the worst timing. Can't he see that I am clearly busy?
“And you are?” Hudson asks. I notice Chandler’s eyes flare just a little bit. Though, I’m not sure if it’s from amusement or something else. I try to communicate with Chandler with my eyes. Get out of here, Chandler.
“I’m Chandler, Sam’s partner.”
“Her partner?” Hudson looks at me now quizzically. Well, this is off to a great start. I try my best to salvage the moment.
“Business partner. We’re on a business trip together," I clarify, failing to keep the disdain out of my voice.
“I see, "Hudson says, eyeing me and Chandler suspiciously.
“Yep. Sam just saved our asses in a meeting. So, we’re celebrating. Together. Right, Sam?” Chandler looks at me, a devilish smirk on his face. He knows exactly what he’s doing.
“Yep, that’s right. A celebration between two co-workers," I say, trying to hide the absolute aggression I feel towards Chandler right now. He has some damn nerve.
“Right," Hudson says and stands from his chair, grabbing his beer. “Good to meet you guys, but I should probably get back to my friends. ”
Then he saunters off to the other side of the bar, where a group of guys are sitting at a booth. I turn to Chandler with daggers in my eyes, wishing I could at least knock him out.