She walked into the crowded hotel lounge. Standing in the doorway, she could not see an empty table anywhere, so she headed for the bar. She stood at the far end of the bar and waited for the bartender to finish with the two men he was serving.

Both men looked at her and smiled. She flashed a quick, half hearted smile back. The last thing she wanted was to be hit on. She just wanted a quiet drink, after a long day.

She turned her attention to a painting on the wall near her.

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"What will it be, Miss?"

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She didn't even realize the bartender had approached. She jumped slightly.

"Shit."

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"Sorry," he apologized.

"I thought you saw me coming."

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The woman smiled slightly, shaking her head.

"No. Sorry. My mind was a million miles away."

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"Long day?" he asked, wiping the bar in front of her.

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She leaned one elbow on the bar.

"You could say that."

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"Well, let's see if we can calm things down a notch or two for you. What will it be?"

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She thought for a moment.

"Dark rum and Coke, with lime. Make it a double."

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He started preparing the drink at the station next to where she was standing.

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"Busy spot."

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He looked up and smiled.

"Always is. This is a very busy hotel and this lounge is nearly always full."

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"I noticed. Not even an empty table."

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He passed her the drink.

"Hardly ever is."

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She handed him her room card.

"Can you run a tab?"

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He nodded and ran the card through the computerized cash register.

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As he handed the card back to her, she pointed to a table at the far end of the bar.

"What about him? Is he safe?"

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The bartender looked to where she was pointing. There was a single table with a man sitting at it, looking at his cell phone.

"What do you mean by safe?"

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She laughed slightly.

"I was just wondering if you knew the man sitting there. Seems to be the only table with an empty chair."

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The bartender nodded.

"I know him, but I don't think he will be too open to company. Mr. Richards likes his privacy."

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"He's a regular?"

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Again he nodded.

"He stays here about once a month."

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"So he's safe?"

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"I still don't know what you mean by that."

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She sipped her drink.

"If I ask to sit with him, he won't take it as a come on from me."

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The bartender smiled.

"I don't think that will be an issue. We tend to steer people away from his table. Like I said, he likes his privacy. Maybe you would prefer to sit here at the bar."

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Now her interest was peaked. Obviously there was more to this man than met the eye.

"So I am not allowed to approach him?"

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The bartender stopped what he was doing and looked at the woman.

"You have every right to ask, Miss, but I cannot guarantee what the answer will be. Again, I suggest maybe just sitting here and enjoying your drink."

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She smiled and chewed on the straw protruding from her drink.

"But he has the best view in the lounge."

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The bartender smiled.

"Indeed he does, Miss."

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She sipped her drink again, still chewing slightly at the straw.

"What is your name?"

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"I'm Kevin, Miss."

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She smiled, genuinely.

"Thank you for the advice, Kevin," she said as she started walking away.

"But I like a challenge."

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He laughed.

"Good luck."

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She walked the length of the bar. Several of the men sitting there said hello to her. She smiled politely, but kept walking.

As she neared the table, the man sitting there looked up quickly, but turned his attention back to his cell phone.

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"Hello," she said as she stood next to him.

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He looked up quickly, again.

"Hello."

Again he turned his attention back to his phone.

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"Would you mind if I joined you? You seem to have he only empty chair in the lounge."

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Again he looked up. This time he put his cell phone into the pocket of his jacket that was hung over the back of his chair.

He hesitated for a moment, but then said, "Be my guest. I am leaving in a moment anyway."

He picked up his glass of beer and drank.

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She sat in the chair at the opposite end of the small table. The chair was actually a small arm chair. She thought it was rather a classy touch.

"Do you have to go, or are you leaving because I asked to sit here?'

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He looked at her.

"Does it matter?"

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She nodded.

"Actually, yes. If you have to go, then that I would understand, but if you are leaving simply because I asked to sit here...

Well I could take that as an insult."

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"I like my privacy."

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"So I've been told. Kevin warned me before I came over."

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"But you came anyway."

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She sipped her drink.

"I like a challenge."

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He finished his beer silently and reached behind to get his jacket.

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"Now I am insulted," she quipped.

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He stood up.

"And why is that?"

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She held up her glass, which was empty.

"You never offered to buy me a drink."

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He put on his jacket.

"I will have Kevin bring you a drink."

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"I don't like to drink alone," she added, still holding the empty glass out to him.

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He looked around. The lounge was full and at least 80% of the patrons were men.

"I don't think that will be an issue."

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She shook her head.

"I want to have a drink with you."

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"Sorry."