Her hotel room felt too constricting, and she just wanted some fresh air. So she changed into the only jeans and t-shirt she’d brought on her trip, put on her most comfortable flats, and walked out the door. She tried not to think about how she and Tom should be having a celebratory dinner, toasting to their good business decisions and their continuing professional relationship.

She wanted to call him and explain how she could no longer work with him, but she also knew that winning his business was the only reason she’d recently been promoted to Junior Partner at her firm.

She tried to think of it as just a hot affair, but it was not something she could easily put in her past. It wasn’t so much that she’d had great affection for him, but when he had lied to her about being single, he had made her look stupid. Now his cocky smile and flirtatious language — something that she was very used to dealing with as a successful, attractive, 30 year old corporate lawyer — was simply a reminder that he’d gotten the better of her.

She walked for miles, contemplating what to do. She paid no attention to where she was, confident that having her phone and some cash could get her a cab ride back to the hotel at any point. She walked passed several bars and restaurants, but felt like the fancy, high-ceiling, glass-fronted spaces were too grand for her current mood. Really, she wanted to be back in St. Paul, where her favorite cafe served wine and had live music most nights. There she would have gotten a decent meal and a good buzz, all within walking distance of her home.

Then she saw a little cafe that reminded her of home. She walked into the front door, and saw a darkly lit room with a few dozen tables, a small bar, and happy people having conversations. The sounds of funky jazz and laughter drew her in.

She found a single seat at the bar, and ordered a beer. When the bartender asked which type, she replied honestly, “I don’t really care. Can you just surprise me?”

He came back with a dark brown bottle of lager, and she took a swig without really tasting it.

She began to read through the food menu, which was mostly small plates, good for groups of people and conversation.

After ordering an olive plate, she looked around the room. Immediately, she caught a nicely built man with short brown hair looking her way. He smiled at her, and held her eye contact until she continued to scan the room. By the time she looked back at the man, he had been joined by a tall blonde woman, who was holding his hand intimately.

She thought, Just my type. Tall, Dark, and Taken.

Then she heard a hearty laugh behind her, and a deep voice, “Nah, I think I’m going to head back to my Air BnB. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

Then a guy in his 30’s — who she assumed was the man with the deep voice — leaned over to the bar next to her, and waited to catch the bartender’s eye.

She glanced up at him, and he smiled at her. “Sorry if I’m crowding you.”

She noticed his accent. “Sew-rry” like a Canadian would say it. She shook her head, “Not a problem.”