Standing at the bar in the charity ballroom waiting for a drink, her breasts pressing up against the railing, Dana knew this night wasn’t going to be any different.
She had done a bit of canoodling with some rich patrons willing to donate to the school musical program, none of whom could keep their eyes lined up with her own.
A thin man in a three-piece suit sat next to her, and Dana had to repress the urge to sigh.
“Come here often?” the man said, leaning against the bar with a wink.
Dana smiled.
“Trying out your best material, eh?” Dana replied.
The man’s smile melted faster than a piece of ice in the sun. Dana could remain pleasant and cordial when it was required, but she was never going to let anyone mistake her for a body with an empty skull.
The man tried to gather himself as his wedding ring glistened under the fluorescent lights.
“I noticed that you came here alone,” he said, eyes flicking down to her breasts like a fly buzzing around a small room.
That was when the sigh came out. It was long and heaving, and despite its obviousness, Mr. Charmer couldn't take the hint.
“I did,” Dana said, picking up her drink from the bar, “and I notice you didn’t.”
Dana eyed the man’s wedding ring, which still, somehow, didn’t manage to put him off. He shrugged, then started playing with the belt on his pants.
“I could rock your world, baby,” the man said with a grin that came across as comical rather than sexy.
Dana nearly spat out the sip of whiskey she had just taken. “Do yourself and your wife a favor,” she said softly. “Get some couples therapy.” She stepped away from the bar and made her way to the buffet table.
She left him there, stunned and silent, thankful that he didn’t follow after her.
Dana knew she just had to get through the night, then she could try to wind down at home. She held her drink as she sauntered past the buffet table, looking for something sweet to snack on to pass the time.
As she did, a gorgeous silver-haired woman met her eyes and stayed there.
The woman smiled widely, and something about it comforted Dana.
There was a chorus of music playing the entire evening, performed by a few students at the music school, along with a handful of professionals.
“I’ve always loved Giovanni Bottesini,”the woman said. “You rarely hear it attempted anymore because it's so complex.”
Dana couldn’t help but frown. It was rare that anyone who attended these musical fundraisers knew anything about the classical music being played, yet this woman had mentioned an artist who would only be known by a person with the passion themselves.
The woman let out a puff of laughter that made Dana’s facial muscles relax.
“Sorry,” Dana said, shaking her head. “I’m just shocked hearing the name. You rarely hear conversations of substance at these events.”
The woman nodded, considering a few mini cheesecake bites in front of her.
“I have noticed this myself,” she said softly. “You seem like a knowledgeable woman in more ways than one.”
Dana felt the keen sensation of something shifting inside her. She had a strong intuition and had learned to follow that cosmic feeling since she was a child. It was intriguing, often elusive, but hinted at a flow of the universe that humans were so rarely able to spot.
Dana picked up a miniature eclair and placed it on her plate.
“Do you mean Prince Charming over there?” Dana said, motioning with her chin.
The woman nodded and then placed her plate on the buffet table to offer Dana her hand.
“My name is Gerri Wilder,” she said.