She looked up. Something had interrupted her, she saw a man dripping from head to toe standing by the table. He asked 'Is this seat taken?' and she thought about saying no so that she could continue reading in peace, she flicked her eyes around the room and her conscience got the better of her, there was nowhere else to sit, so she motioned for him to take a seat. She prayed that he wasn't a talker, she really didn't want to have to make small talk with strangers today.
'Would you keep an eye on this for me?' He asked, pointing at his coffee cup. She nodded and smiled pleasantly. He came back five minutes later. He had obviously been to the men's room to try and dry off a little, his hair was now dry and stuck up messily and his jeans had dry patches on the thighs where he had aimed the hand dryer at them to remove some of the water.
'That's better, I guess I don't need to tell you its still raining out there!'
She smiled her response, she didn't want to be rude, but she didn't want to start a conversation either. She looked back into her book, hoping he would take the hint.
As she reached the end of her chapter, she looked up to glance around the room, her eyes came back to him. He had taken his watch off and was examining it. She attempted to carry on reading but she was distracted by him now. He tinkered with his watch, unaware of her gaze. She had not paid much attention to him till now and she took in his strong features and three day growth on his chin. His brow furrowed as he was thoughtfully puzzling over the time piece. He held it up to his ear to hear it tick and his eyes met hers
'not water proof' he said with a grimace.
'Oh, is it OK?' she said in concern. Her own response taking her by surprise. She avoided talking to strangers if she could help it, it was often safer that way.
'Still ticking' he said. Then, 'I hope it will be OK… when it dries out properly. I don't think I can say the same for this' he said, indicating his ruined pullover.
She gave a sympathetic half smile as she looked at the oversized garment, still damp and clinging to his shoulders and chest, emphasising their shape and tone. He took a drink and said 'I'm sorry, I'm disturbing you, I'll let you get back to your book'.
'No,' she said, 'its OK.'
Ordinarily she would have said the same just to be polite, but she found, this time, she actually meant it.
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