Unexpected Joy

Hannah was starstruck. The men she used to daydream about as a teenager were now just a few feet away from her. Some of them, she thought, looked even better now than they did back then.

She approached them, her smile wide and welcoming, and began distributing the leather-bound menus to each of them.

As Hannah took their drink orders, Chris was busy filling water glasses. The orders were heavy on the alcohol, prompting a shared smirk between Hannah and Chris.

As she reached the last seat, she noticed it was empty. She was about to mention it when the handsome man next to the vacant seat beat her to it.

“What’s your name again, miss?” he asked.

“Hannah,” she responded, her smile unwavering.

“Can I call you Hannah?”

“Of course!”

“Great! Please call me Joey. We’re waiting for one more person. My brother is on a conference call and should be down in a minute.

“Could you get him a Jack and Coke? Top shelf, please,” he added with a wink.

She returned his smile and took the orders to the POS, watching as the tab began to climb. She joined Chris at the bar, then carried two trays of drinks back to the table.

She had learned that if she let the conversation flow uninterrupted, they drank more and the tab grew.

She and Chris hung back, watching as the group carried on, replacing drinks as needed.

She approached Joey, who seemed to be the group’s leader, and asked if they would like to order some appetizers or starters.

She waited as Joey opened the menu and listed off several items for the group to share. She walked away, her smile still in place, and put the orders in.

The evening wore on and the last person still hadn’t arrived. Hannah didn’t know what to make of it, but she was enjoying the lively atmosphere and the camaraderie.

The group had been together for months on tour and their closeness was evident. They had been eating and drinking for an hour when Joey suggested they start thinking about dinner.

The men began including her and Chris in their banter, and they were having such a good time that it felt like a shame to interrupt it for something as mundane as work.

Reluctantly, Hannah started with Joey and took their dinner orders, passing the menus to Chris as she went down the line.

She was entering the orders into the POS when she heard the door open and close, followed by a chorus of greetings for the newcomer.

Not wanting to lose her rhythm, she finished entering the orders, but before she sent them off, she needed to get the new arrival’s order.

She hit Pause on the machine and felt a presence behind her that sent a shiver down her spine. She turned around and collided with the broad, warm chest of a very attractive man.

Stumbling back, Hannah felt strong hands catch her. “I’m so sorry! Are you okay?”

His voice was intoxicating, but his scent was something else entirely.

She looked up and was taken aback by his good looks. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him.

He was tall, with broad shoulders, bright green eyes that sparkled with mischief, a smile that made her weak in the knees, and dark brown hair that she longed to run her fingers through.

Somehow, she managed to pull herself together and tear her eyes away from his face. “I’m fine. I’m so sorry that I ran into you!”

“It was entirely my fault for sneaking up on you and for being so incredibly late. A beautiful woman like you shouldn’t have to wait on any man,” he said, his words making her blush.

Hannah fought the urge to look away in embarrassment. “Thank you… Would you like to place your dinner order?”

He smiled at her again and she swallowed hard, hoping she wouldn’t embarrass herself in front of this incredibly attractive man.

“Yes, please. I’ll have the lamb chops with Brussels sprout hash and potatoes au gratin.”

She managed to remember his order and was about to enter it when she heard him say, “You really are incredibly beautiful.”

She turned back to him and said, “You are really very kind. Thank you,” before turning back to the machine, taking a deep breath to calm herself, and praying that he would return to his seat.

She could still feel him behind her and didn’t know what to do as she punched in his order and sent it off.

“Can I have your number?”

She stiffened and turned back to face him, her mouth hanging open in surprise. “Are you serious?”

“Oh hell yes! You are stunning!”

Before she could respond, they heard, “Jack! I need you over here! Stop flirting with Hannah!”

He winked at her and returned to the table, leaving Hannah to return to the bar and get a fresh drink for the handsome man.

She placed it in front of him and he winked at her again, making her blush. The group continued their business talk and tour discussion as she got another round of drinks for the table.

She had just served the drinks when she got the signal that the first course was ready.

She and Chris went out and returned with salads and gourmet breads. They moved almost invisibly, returning to the side of the room as the guests ate.

Hannah watched and enjoyed the scene unfolding before her. She was watching her teenage crushes and favorite boy bands talk and eat. It was beyond anything she could have ever imagined.

And then there was the handsome man. Every time he laughed or smiled, her heart raced and a rush of heat pooled in her sensible black underwear.

She had to take several deep breaths to try and regain her composure.