One Chance encounter

Chapter One

Looking up from her laptop Freya stretched and yawned, her stomach rumbling loudly reminding her she had hardly eaten all day. Reaching for her phone she noticed the time and checked the hotels restaurant times. Realising there was only half an hour left, she closed the screen and quickly checked her reflection, re placing her long brown hair in a top knot, to keep it out of her eyes, she picked up her phone, purse and book and headed for the lift at the end of her corridor. She hated travelling alone, having to eat alone was depressing, which is why she always carried a book. Conversation with strangers had always been awkward, she never knew what to say.

Stepping inside she pressed the button for the reception area and waited patiently for the lift to descend, her stomach rolling at the slight drop that always occurred as the lift reached its destination. Stepping out she searched for the sign for the restaurant and made her way across to the woman standing at the entrance. Just as she reached her she noticed another person step forward at the exact moment she did.

Looking up the woman looked at them each in turn and a smile took over her face. "Table for two?" she asked awaiting a response.

Just then the person in front turned to see who else was being addressed and she found the most beautiful brown eyes staring back at her, she couldn't drag her gaze away from him let alone find her voice. Standing in front of her was Joseph Quinn, she watched as he reached up and ran his fingers through his hair as he turned back around "Oh sorry, we're not here together" he said with a slight chuckle in his voice.

"Oh dear, okay well I'm afraid we actually only have one table left for this evening. Which of you would I be booking in?" she said once again looking at them both in turn.

Again, he turned, a half smile on his face as he looked at Freya just as her stomach growled the loudest she had ever heard, turning her face instantly red. "Well" he said a large grin covering his face "from the sounds of it we are both starving. I'm happy to share a table if you are?" he asked, his gaze never leaving her eyes.

"Yes, thank you, if that's okay with you. But I can always eat in the bar though if you would prefer the table to yourself?" she said finally finding her voice. Kicking herself for suggesting she eat elsewhere.

"Absolutely not, I insist" he said stepping aside so she could pass him and follow the waitress to their table. "After you." He said and started to follow her through the restaurant, he could smell her perfume, light and fruity as he walked behind her.

Stepping past she caught a hint of vanilla filling her nose, she found herself taking a deeper breath, it was intoxicating.

Reaching their table, the waitress waited until they were seated and passed them each a menu. "Our specials are on the back. Stephanie will be along shortly to take your order. I hope you both have a pleasant evening." She said with a smile and made her way back to the entrance.

Looking up she found him staring at her, a shy look on his face, as if he didn't quite know what to say. Taking a deep breath, she looked up and said "Thank you for this, you really didn't need to. But I'm really grateful you did, I haven't manged to eat much today. The prospect of a bar burger wasn't overly appealing" she said turning her attention back to the menu. She tried to read the list but found she couldn't concentrate until he broke the silence and spoke to her again.

"You're welcome, its nice not to have to eat alone if I'm honest. I've just realised I haven't asked your name? I'm Joe by the way" he said holding out his hand, his eyes again never leaving hers. She had the most beautiful eyes he had seen and couldn't stop himself from looking in them, every chance he got.

"Nice to meet you Joe, I don't think there are many who wouldn't know you now" she said a smile on her lips "Freya my names Freya" she said reaching across and shaking his hand. A small electric shock travelled up her arm as their hands met, her heart racing at the feel of just his hand. She needed to pull herself together if she was going to make it through the whole meal without looking like an idiot.

Smiling he looked back at his own menu, concentration taking over his face, his tongue slightly protruding as he looked over the menu. That touch, just that touch had set his pulse racing, what on earth was going on, he was usually so in control of his emotions, but there was something about this girl.

Dragging her eyes away to stop her from staring at him, she looked at her own menu, trying to find something she could eat without having to ask the poor waitress a million questions. She hated being allergic to dairy, it made eating out so hard. She smiled as she saw her go to dish when eating out.

Their waitress Stephanie reached their table drawing both of their eyes from their menus. "Good evening. Could I start by getting you drinks?" She asked looking directly at Joe with a doe eyed expression. He must be used to it by now, there couldn't be a woman alive who he didn't affect.

"Ladies first" Joe said looking across at her again, loving the fact he could watch her, whilst her attention was elsewhere.

"Could I please have a large glass of your white Zinfandel" she said looking back across at Joe as he made the decision to have the same.

Placing their orders, they passed back their menus and turned their attention back to each other. "Is there anything else I can get you" Stephanie asked Joe with a sweet smile and started to move away as he advised they had everything they needed. "Apologies" she said coming back to the table, I forgot to ask which room this is to be charged to?" At the exact same time both room keys were passed across as they looked at each other smiling. Joe raised his other hand and gently placed it over hers. "I insist, please let me." He said as she took down his room number and moved away.

"I think you have a fan" she said laughing as they watched Stephanie walk away occasionally looking over her shoulder.

"Can't say I noticed" he said truthfully. He had been too distracted with Freya to notice the waitress or her intensions to get his attention.

Laughing, the most blinding smile took over his face as he sat back in his chair. It made his eyes crinkle in the most beautiful way she had ever seen, it made her catch my breath. Why did he have such an effect on her, she was finding it more and more difficult to not react to it. It was ridiculous.

"So why are you in London?" He asked as the drinks arrived and they waited as the wine was poured.

"I'm here for work, I have a couple of courses to attend whilst I'm here. Nothing exciting." she replied. "What about you?"

"Uh yeah work too. There's a convention this weekend, so I got here early to relax before the mayhem starts" He said taking a sip of his wine. "What is it you do?" He asked leaning forward resting his arms on the table. It was taking everything he had not to reach across and take her hand again, just to see if the feeling was a one off.

"I work in finance. I too got here early so I didn't have to rush tomorrow. The rest of the team will be getting here first thing" she said hoping she wasn't boring him. "I don't usually travel alone to these types of things, but I had no intention of getting up at 5am just to beat the traffic.

The food arrived a moment later and they both dived straight in, the hunger more important than conversation. Realising they had finished their bottle of wine Joe ordered a second and refilled her glass when it arrived. She was starting to feel relaxed as the wine undid all her tension and the food eased her hunger. She felt content and found herself relaxing more into her seat.

As they sat chatting about their lives, she couldn't believe how easy this was, no awkwardness at all, like they had known each other for years. She had found herself smiling as she answered all his questions and asked her own.

The table was quietly cleared and desert menus placed in front of them. Looking at the menu there wasn't a great deal she fancied and so ordered an Oat late. Following suit Joe ordered the same and continued to ask her more about her life.

The wine was taking more effect now and they both laughed freely at the silly answers they sometimes gave. Coffees finished they sat smiling at each other, neither one making a move to leave.

"I don't know about you, but I was thinking about moving through to the bar? Care to join me?" He asked, twisting the ring on his right hand nervously as he waited for her response. He had no idea why he felt nervous all of a sudden, he just knew he didn't want the night to end so soon.

"On one condition" She said, watching as his head titled to the side, tongue poking out again, waiting for her to continue. "You let me buy the drinks."

Laughing he gave that blinding smile again. "Absolutely" he replied pushing back his chair and moving round to help her from her own.