"Well once again you have insulted me," she barked, laying the empty glass back on the table.

.

"How do you figure that?"

.

"You won't have a drink with me. That means either you are gay or you don't find me attractive or you simply don't like me."

She stared at him, awaiting an answer.

.

He was shaking his head.

"I am not gay."

.

She nodded.

"Aw. So its one of the other two?"

.

"No, actually it is none of the above."

.

"Then what is it?"

.

"I told you. I like my privacy."

.

"So you do find me attractive?"

It was a half question, half statement.

.

He stood in silence for a few moments. He bent down and picked up the empty glass. He walked away from the table.

.

She never spoke, but watched as he walked to the bar. He looked back once and she smiled, waving to him.

"I'll get you to smile yet," she said aloud.

"Stubborn ass," she whispered.

.

Kevin handed him a drink and a glass of beer. He returned to the table,  passing her the drink as he sat.

.

"Thank you."

.

"You're welcome," he said, as he sat down again.

.

"So you do find me attractive?" she added, pushing her red hair back over her left ear.

.

For the first time he smiled.

.

"Oh my God! What was that?"

.

"One drink," he told her, holding up one finger on his right hand to emphasize what he was saying.

.

She held her glass up.

"Cheers, Mr. Richards."

.

"Cheers, Miss Yetman."

He clinked her glass.

.

She looked surprised.

"You know my name."

.

"I asked Kevin."

.

"And he told you. Don't they have policies against things like that?

After all, I did not tell him my name."

.

"He just looked up your room card. And I assume you would have told me eventually."

.

"What if I wanted to give a fake name?"

She looked at Kevin and smiled.

"Maybe I should report him."

.

He sipped his beer.

"Why would you do that?"

.

"Because he gave you my name."

.

"No. I mean why would you give a fake name?"

.

"Perhaps you are a stalker."

.

"It was you who approached me, remember? Maybe you are the stalker."

.

She nodded and smiled.

"Touche."

.

There was a moment of silence.

.

"You never answered my question."

.

"What question?"

.

"About finding me attractive."

.

He looked at her.

She looked to be in her mid 30's.

She was tall, slim and her body perfectly proportioned; as far as he could tell.

She had pale skin, the most beautiful emerald green eyes he had ever seen and wavy red hair that fell past her shoulders. He was especially drawn to the fact that her hair looked natural. The hair told him that she was a woman who was comfortable with the way she looked and did not need to spend a lot of time preparing herself.

She was dressed in straight legged jeans with a clingy black sweater.

But it was her smile. His heart fluttered every time she smiled at him.

.

"I think you are absolutely beautiful," he said, not taking his eyes off of hers.

.

She began to blush. She had not expected that response from what she considered a conservative man.

.

"And you blush a nice shade of red."

.

She laughed and looked away from him, out the window that overlooked Niagara Falls itself.

"It is quite a view."

.

He nodded, but she did not see.

"I am sorry if I embarrassed you."

.

She answered, still looking out the window.

"You didn't. I just didn't expect that answer."

.

He was puzzled.

"You asked a question and I answered honestly. Did you want me to lie?"

.

She turned from the window and looked at him quickly, then back down at her drink, as she sipped it.

"No. Thank you."

.

"Well I said something wrong. Your whole attitude has changed."

.

"Let's talk about something else."

.

He nodded.

.

"So, what brings you to Niagara Falls, Mr. Richards."

.

"Training."

.

She sipped her drink, expecting him to elaborate, but he didn't.

"Training? Are you training for something?"

.

He shook his head.

"No. I am doing the training."

.

Again he did not elaborate.

"So, do you always answer questions as briefly as you can?"

.

He smiled.

"Yes."

He drank his beer.

.

She started laughing.

"You really don't open up easily, do you."

.

"I told you..."

.

"I know," she interrupted, "you like your privacy."

.

He stared at his beer for a second. It was nearly finished.

.

"I guess you want to leave?"

.

He shook his head.

"No, but I think I should."

.

"Why?"

.

He drank the last of his beer.

"Never mind. Its just a stupid thing I have."

.

"What stupid thing?"

.

He stood up.

"It has been nice meeting you, Miss Yetman."

.

"No, no, no," she said. "This isn't right. We were having a, somewhat, conversation and you just get up."

.

"I told you earlier."

.

She shook her head and stood.

"Bullshit. Don't hand me that privacy thing. You tell me I am gorgeous and then you gulp down your beer and you jump up from the table."

.

He stood in silence. He could feel eyes on him and he did not like it. He looked toward the bar. Kevin started walking the length of the bar toward them, but he shook his head.

.

She was now next to him.

"Well?"

.

He never answered.

.

She shook her head, swearing under her breath.

"I am going to pee. Then I am coming back and I am getting another drink and another beer. Its your choice whether you are here or not."

.

She left the bar area and went to the ladies washroom, still swearing under her breath.