He smiles at me from across the countertop. The shitty live music drowning out everything else in this dingy pub on the corner of 14th Avenue really gets me in the mood for some ironic partying. I smile back, knowing better than to approach him when I can't even hear myself think. The crowd behind us goes wild as the band finally stops their noise, replacing one unwelcome earfuck with another.

Serves me right for coming to a new bar on a whim, I sigh as I straighten my figure hugging dress. Looking around, I find everyone I see decked out in band shirts and skinny Levis jeans. They all seem very underdressed to be at a bar, but if everyone's like that, maybe I'm the one who's overdressed to the party. I sigh again, feeling like the odd one out here. Raising the fruity girl drink to my lips, I down the rest of it, savoring its refreshing, complex taste that hinted of many citrus undertones. Boy, that's a hell of a drink on a night like this!

I look up, realizing that up till now, he hasn't taken his eyes off me. Who is he exactly? I don't know, but as I look back at his beautifully proportioned body and his broad shoulders that fill the blazer draped over him, I can't help but feel a spark of attraction.

"Miss?"

I turn back just in time to see the bartender hand me another colorful drink. Luckily the rowdy noise of the crowd behind me dies down so I can hear again, for now.