Stan had noticed Gina at a restaurant where he was attending a business
dinner with some colleagues and was intrigued by her stunning
appearance. She was a petite, Italian beauty with lovely long red hair.
Her eyes sparkled as she joked with her companions, unaware that she was
being observed by the tall, dark and handsome stranger. Stan estimated
she was probably in her mid-twenties, and she seemed to be unattached
according to the people she was dining with, w ho were entirely of the
female gender.

His mind wandered between his business discussion and the lovely smile
radiating from the table across the room. As the meeting drew to a
close, he anxiously gathered his portfolio and arose from the table,
pleased to see that Gina and her friends hadn’t departed yet. As he
approached the table, she turned toward him, smiling. His heart melted.
He had to talk to her.

“Hello. Excuse me, but I couldn’t help noticing you from across the
room, and I wanted to ask you something.” He started.

“Yes, what is it?” She replied.

“I wanted to know if it hurt.” He said.

“Did what hurt?” She asked.

“When you fell from heaven.” He teased, winking and grinning.

“Well, that’s a new line!” She replied, startled yet amused.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist. May I join you for a moment?” He asked.

“We’re just preparing to leave.” She replied.

“May I walk you to your car?” He asked hopefully.

“Don’t you think you should introduce yourself first? I don’t usually
just walk out of restaurants with strange men and leave my friends
wondering if I’ve lost my mind or not.” She said.

“Oh, I’m sorry…My name is Stan, and you are?” He stated.

“I’m Gina. Nice to meet you, Stan.” She replied.

As she arose from the table, Stan helped her put on her coat and she
took his arm as the left the restaurant to walk to the car. They walked
quietly for a few minutes and as they approached her car, Gina turned to
Stan.

“I have a confession, Stan. It wasn’t an accident that I was in the
restaurant this evening. I’ve had my eye on you for several weeks since
I visited your photography studio with my aunt.” She confessed.

“You have!” He replied, startled. “I had a feeling I had seen you
someplace before but I couldn’t put my finger on it.”

“Yes, I went with her to look at some proofs of some pictures she had
done for the family.