Flight Excerpt

I glanced up. Intense gray-blue eyes stared back at me, as I recognized the guy from the hotel. Surprised to see him again, I merely nodded before bringing the shot to my lips. What was that? I spat out while the liquor continued to burn my throat. A jaeger shot. He laughed lightly. Feeling better? Yeah. I cant believe I did that. I peered over my shoulder at the stage where another group was starting their rendition of Time of my Life. It really wasnt so bad. It was more entertaining than if Cyndi Lauper performed it herself. Raking his eyes from my toes back up to my face, he spent an annoying amount of time studying my legs. Long legs were nice, but not when they attracted the wrong type of attention. Normally I would call a guy on mentally undressing me, but I was too busy taking my own inventory. Finished, I glanced around for Jess but couldnt see her in the crowd. So, thanks for the shot, but I need to find my friend. Hey, you cant run off on me again. He didnt say it like a question, more like a demand and it annoyed me. Besides, your friend appears to be unavailable. I followed his gaze and noticed Jess flirting with Dave again. Run off on you again? That implies we have run into each other before. I tried for coy; I wasnt going to let this guy unnerve me. Sure, he had the most amazing set of eyes I had ever seen, but I wasnt interested. I saw you at the Crescent City Hotel this afternoon, but you took off before I could say hello. He leaned in closer to me, trying to be heard over the loud music. Oh, I didnt notice you. He smiled, ignoring my comment. You here for vacation? Im here for work actually, at the hotel. Are you around for the whole summer then? I allowed myself to really look at him. My earlier estimate of his height was dead on; he was much taller than my 5 feet 9 inches. I finally answered. Yeah, Im here until I start school in the fall. All right, so where are you going to school? Princeton. I braced myself for his response.

Nice, he said in a way that suggested he wasnt impressed. You in school? Yeah, Im going to be a senior at Tulane. Oh, so you live here? Born and raised, he said proudly. I didnt think locals hung out at places like this. We dont usually, but theyre great spots to meet girls from out of town. I shook my head. Ah, so youre one of them. One of who? The type to prey on innocent tourists. Innocent tourists? You make me sound like the big bad wolf. And youre not? I questioned. Only if youre Red Riding Hood, he said flirtatiously. Wow, thats original. I caught myself staring at his eyes again and decided it was time to end the conversation. Well, nice talking to you. Hey, I didnt even get your name yet. Allie. Is that short for Allison? Yes, but no one calls me Allison. I cursed myself. Why couldnt I just walk away from this guy? I briefly regretted my decision to swear off men because if I hadnt this one would be exactly my type: tall, strong, and confident. He was exactly the kind to avoid.