I was waiting in the lobby bar when she walked in carrying her cinq à sept bag. She looked stunning in an outfit that made her look like Brigitte Bardot straight out of the 60s. Very appropriate for our setting. This was one of several reasons why I love her so.

I got up and managed to close my mouth and wipe the drool before she saw me.

“You look amazing. Thanks for coming!”

“You can say that to me later. Several times. First, get me a drink.”

I went to the bar and ordered her favourite and added one for myself. When I rejoined her, she was sitting in a spot where everyone could see her and admire her. People walking in would have wondered if she had been hired by the hotel to give the place ambiance.

We caught up on each other’s lives for a bit before I told her the details of my case. Always the trooper, she was keen to help me out.

“If you see her, point her out to me. I’ll see what I can do. Now, when’s our pool reservation? If you think I look good now, just wait until you see me in my bathing suit.”

I went to the front desk and got us squared away with a changing room. We quickly made our way to the pool. Once there, I ordered more drinks. They arrived as I was massaging suntan lotion all over her body.

As I thanked the waiter and told him to charge the room, I noticed the girl I had been following had walked into the pool area.

“Check it out. She’s here. Long brown hair by the elevator.”

“Poor girl. Not much to look at, huh?”

“Not at all. Specially compared to you.”

“It looks like she’s going to the bar. Here’s my chance.”

She got up and walked over to the bar. What’s that phrase about hating to see you go but happy to see you walk away?

She stood next to the brown-haired girl and then casually started up a conversation. That’s another thing I greatly admired about her. She could talk to anyone anywhere and make them feel comfortable.

While this was happening, I figured I’d take a dip in the pool and relax. The water felt wonderful. It had been a long morning walking around Manhattan and meeting up with friends. My feet were tired.

After about twenty minutes, she started walking back to our deck chairs, so I got out. As I was drying myself off, she sat down.

“You better make me come ten times given the amount of info I just got for you!”

“Consider it done. What’s the scoop?”

“Not now. Let’s talk about it over dinner. Speaking of, I think we need to build up an appetite, don’t you?”

We went downstairs and got the room key and my bag. After walking the long red carpet, taking the elevator, and then walking more carpet, we were in the room.

“Very nice. I’m glad your client splurged for me!”

I laughed as I put our bags down.

“Are these one-way windows?”

“I think so.”

“Very nice!”

We proceeded to build up quite a hefty appetite. A while later, we went down to the Constellation for drinks and then to the restaurant for an early dinner. After we were seated and had placed our orders, she started telling me about what she found out.

“So, she introduced herself as Sally. Supposedly, she’s from Nebraska, moved out to LA to become an actress, blah blah blah typical story, got tired of being told she didn’t have the right look, and is now looking to start new.”

“You’re amazing. How you are able to get people so at ease to spill all their secrets is beyond me.”

“Thank you, but that’s not all. You’re going to have to book yourself on the afternoon Iberia flight to Madrid. That’s where she’s headed next.”

I pulled out my cell phone and started making arrangements.

“Is she in Business Class again?”

“Yup. Your client will need to splurge again. No way you can stay in sight of her if you’re in Economy.”

“Right.” I finalized the reservation and got my ticket.

“Done.”

Dinner arrived and it was delicious.

“How much time do we have left?”

“Enough for a couple more rounds but that’s about it. I’ll be expected home tonight. Couldn’t manage to come up with any excuse to stay out all night.”

“We better get back to it then. I owe you several orgasms for this.”

We went back up to the room. By then the sun was down and the lights of the runway and the planes made the room feel very romantic.

After the last of the muted cries, gentle relaxings, and quiet peace, she got up.

“Don’t get up. It’s better if we say goodbye here instead of in the middle of the lobby.”

I kissed her hard and held her as long as I could. Eventually, I let go.

“See you…whenever.”

“Love you.”

“Yeah you do”, she smiled as she walked out. As the door closed, I could hear her whisper, “Me too.”

I leaned over to her side of the bed so I could still smell her. I then went to sleep for a thousand years.

***

The next day, I stayed in bed as long as I could before checking out and making my way to Terminal 8.

I made my way past security and to the lounge. It really pays to fly business. Security was a breeze and the lounge was stocked with free goodies. To my surprise and luck, I spotted an old friend.

“And where are you going today?”

“What the hell? Your cheap ass doesn’t fly business! Do I need to call security?”

“Relax. Client is paying for it. I’m trying out this new thing called living right. I’m finally growing up and becoming just like you!”

“Funny. Whose wife are you following?”

“Funny. Which oligarch are you murdering?”

“Keep it down. And the proper term is assassination, not murder.”

“Fair enough. I’m headed to Spain. You?”

“Maldives, Seychelles, Dubaï, and Hong Kong, I think?”

“Damn girl! You must have a ton of frequent flyer miles!”

I looked up at the board showing the flight departures.

“Shit! I gotta go. Good luck!”

“You too. Next time I’m in LA, we should go back to the Tam O’Shanter.”

“Deal. Later… Is it professor, your excellency? What’s your cover now?”

“Doctor.”

“Of course. Safe travels, Doc.”

I walked back to my gate, boarded the plane, and found myself in a fully reclinable and very nice private seat. Doc would have told me it was shit but it was miles above what I was used to.

The plane pulled back and we started taxiing towards the runway. I could see out of my window the TWA Hotel and, to my surprise, I could see inside the rooms. We must have given the airport a hell of a show.

The plane took off, we reached 10,000 feet, and we were allowed to “move about the cabin”. As I was getting ready to go take a leak, a body stepped in my way.

“Who are you and why are you following me?”

***