I was away on business recently.  In a different city staying at a hotel, consulting with clients and potential clients.

There was a little redhead receptionist, for a business that has a connection to what I do for a living, that immediately took a liking to me.  There is a small percentage of women that will send you very obvious cues, even when you are not gaming her directly.

One of the first pick up books I read dealt almost exclusively on finding the women that were receptive to a man’s advances based on their immediate flashes of interest in their body language.

I was talking to someone else when she thrust out her hand and introduced herself.  Afterward, she would glance over occasionally.  Now and then I would catch her eye and she would smile.

There was another woman in the city I was in that I had not seen in a couple years.  We used to work together and she went back to school.   She was a solid 8 back then. 

I texted her.

Talley: What r u up 2?

Her: Not much.  Blah blah blah, how r u?

Talley: Confused.  I’m in town but I don’t see you buying me a drink.

Her:  You’re in X!?!  I can meet u at 9 at Y.

Talley:  Good.

When I made my exit later that evening, I said I was “meeting a friend.” The redhead was clearly disappointed.  Disappointed enough that her friend said, “You look upset that Talleyrand is leaving.”

To which I said, “She’s like a sister to me, we’re that close, and parting is always such sweet sorrow.”

To which the redhead gamely went along and I told her I’d be back in a month and we’ll hang out. It is very possible that I will have lost whatever momentum I had with her.

So I head to the bar, being a little late and the former 8 is waiting for me.  She’s put on at least 40 pounds.  My ardor wilted.

She buys the drinks.  It is amazing how easy it is to get women to buy drinks, dinner, whatever for you if you make it clear they expect them too, that’s a story for another day.

We talk about old times.  I had been planning to stay the night, but I told her that I was driving home that evening.  There was disappointment in her voice.

After a couple of hours, I said good-bye.  I had her kiss my cheek, just because I could.  She told me how much she loved me.

I drove home through the foggy, snow-covered highways avoiding the deer that willingly sacrifice themselves to cars every year. 

I arrived home at four a.m. feeling deeply melancholy.